Finally....race 5/5
5 weeks since last race but laid low by a cold that seemed to last three weeks so training not great. Not done this one before but had read that it is quite competitive due to proximity to London and one of the tail end races of the year.
So it’s badged as a bit hilly...and it is. Decided I would stick with the 1.30 pacers, if I could stick with them until 6/7 miles that would be fine, the last hill is at 9miles and then flat or downhill to the finish, so the plan was to dig deep on the last hills and go balls out for the line and see if I could at least get close to 1.30 albeit had no expectation of getting really close.
First mile, all up hill, about 20m of elevation, 6.44 but blowing quite hard, hr peaking at 163 at top of hill.
Second mile all downhill, 6.35, hr levelled out with 160ave.
3rd mile all uphill albeit not steep 10m, 6.52, hr up again Ave 164.
At this point I am thinking this is quite tough.
4th mile all uphill 30m elevation, 7.22. Elastic band with the pacers has snapped, as has my mental strength hr 167 at start but dropped to 156 at top of the hill......wrong way round
Next couple of miles a bit up and downy, 7.12 and 7.30 with hr at 155. I am now thinking just bash out reasonable mile splits as it was obvious I couldn’t maintain sub 7 min and to try would result in a massive blowout and a walk across the line. I am being passed at this point which also tells me I have paced this wrong (again) and am suffering more than others.
Miles 7&8 are flattish at 7.11 and 7.15 hr 153/154 I have weathered the storm and feeling a bit stronger.
Miles 9 & 10 have the last hill and it is pretty tough at this point 7.21 and 7.28 but hr back up to 160 which indicates effort going in. Not losing many places now and those that have passed me are not going away.
All flat and downhill from here. I also think there is something about hitting mile 10 and thinking “it’s only a parkrun from here”.
11&12 done in 7.08 and 7.07 with hr at 161, not feeling easy, but feeling good. Reining a few people in as well, although I think everyone is enjoying the downhill.
Last mile is a 15m descent, feels great, pedal down giving everything a 650cc engine has got at this point. 6.57 with hr 163.
Run in to the line I go past one guy and closing in on another who shot off like a hare when I got near!
Finish time 1.33.19
Ag 20/155
188/1380
Very enjoyable and will be one I come back to, nice route, well organised, great support throughout.
Just need to decide whether to slip in one more before the end of the year