After last weeks excursion to Stratford, it was back to a good old fashioned 10k distance for me today.
This race was originally scheduled to take place in Mid-December, but due to the country having a snow panic, it was postponed until today. The previous years race had been extended to an 11k event, so that Bolsover Castle could be integrated into the route and used as the finish. This, however, was too much change for some runners, so a shortened 10k was devised with a finish outside of the Castle walls.
We arrived at Bolsover this morning earlier than expected which gave me more than ample time to do some of the 'professional looking' warming up that we all do (in some shape or form!) - in the grounds of the Castle. The organisers, North Derbyshire Running Club , always put on a decent event and often think outside of the box. With the start being moved a kilometre down the road, the marshalls took it in turns to lead groups down to the start. First to go was the sub 40 runners, then the sub 50's, then my lot - the sub 60's !
Well, with our marshall at the front holding up a sub 60 placard, it appeared that we looked to be on some runners march or something !! -
'' What Do We Want ??''
- '' Medals for all finishers !!''
'' When Do We Want It ???''
- ''NOW !!''
It did make me and a few others giggle though ! Anyway, back to the race, and at 10.30 we were underway !
Now the race tactic I have developed over recent races is to take the first couple of km's nice and easy and see how things feel during the middle part. Today though, I found that it was hard not to run faster and as a consequence after 2km, it felt harder than usual although the time was pretty good. At this point we were out of Bolsover and into the countryside which was a bit grimmer than I remembered. Also, different to how I recalled things, there were more undulations than I remembered - still what goes up must come down and it was up to me to pace them properly.
At 5km I ran through at 27.50, which meant that I would need to pick things up a little if I was going to get anywhere near my PB of 55.06. Two things kept me going here - a tussle I was having with a Lincoln Wellington runner, and how long I could keep on someones shoulder without them turning around a smacking me !
The first tussle I eventually won as I think there was one up too many on the course, and the second eventually dropped behind - mind you, I have got to say, I was very comfortable there and might be a tactic I employ again! There was a longer climb at 6km or so that I thankfully did not have to walk up like last time , and from then on was reasonable flat to the finish.
At about 8km we turned back towards Bolsover and straight into a head wind. I also calculated that a PB was not really going to happen given the course and the conditions. I reached 9km in 50.17 and just ran as fast as I could trying to get below 56mins. I spent the last kilometre running with a really nice bloke and we pushed each other faster and faster - as I turned the last corner I just sprant for the line and was astounded to see that I had run 54.36 - a 4.20something last kilometre( it could be though that the last kilometre was measured shorter - this seems to be the case on a lot of runs I've noticed to give the effect of a 'fast' course when in reality the preceding kilometres are measured 20m longer to complete the illusion.) So there we are, an unlikely PB pulled out of the hat !
With my base training period in full swing for Ironman, my attention is turned next to a Duathlon in March, and then other than Triathlons, the next running event will be the Lincoln 10k in early April - a flat course where I'll attempt to improve again.
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