Race 3/5
So, it’s hilly, not the 200m of elevation I thought, my garmin shows 171m, and it felt more. Not helped by 20mph winds particularly in the exposed places ...on the course
Targets, top 10%, ag podium, under 1.40. My guess was it was a +10min course.
Car parking was a shambles with30min wait to get in, this knocked everything back including start time. As a result instead of marathon and HM starting separately, we all started together, set off in waves but with no ordering re expected finish time. I set off in second batch, weaving past people walking within half a mile of the start
First 3 miles fairly flat, 6.48, 6.55, 7.05. Then hit some hilly bits, up and down 7.13, 7.34, 7.26, 7.36. Legs definitely feeling the burn. It was turnaround point at about 4.5 so saw the leaders coming back, not as many in front as I thought there would be.
Onto some flat that I used as steady pace trying to recover a bit. 7.13, but then hit lumps again 7.31.
By now we are reasonably spread out with few overtakes (+/-). Whilst legs are tired, everyone else is too as the gaps are pretty constant.
Last 4 miles are really tough. They aren’t huge hills but enough to sap what’s left. 7.40, 8.02, 7.59, 7.43 with “sprint” finish over the line.
1.37.19
AG 1/34
Overall 33/998
To say am pleased is an understatement
Probably my best ever result....in anything