Last year, the Ripper didn't take place at all due to Covid, so I only had 2020 to compare to and that was just before lockdown number 1. That day, I finished my customary 30th ( I kid you not, I have 4 30th place finishes) in a time of 1.09.04. So, it had been a couple of years and I didn't know how it would compare - I have it in mind that despite training harder and more professionally than I ever had, that father time was kicking in and I am in a slow decline - I'm 50 next year, don't you know...
250 eager beavers ready for the 10.30am start along with me mate Scrappy, who's getting faster at a rate of naughts and starting to get uncomfortable close. I positioned myself around 30ish, figuring that was a good starter position and soon had the feeling of people coming past me. The first couple of miles 7.16 & 7.23 were fast as they always are and then bang, the wind really bit and it was a struggle especially in the wind and with the exposed climbs to keep the early momentum. In fact the wind was with us for the best part of the first 4 miles and it took until halfway to feel like I was in a groove. I knew I was running in slow motion but could see the guy in front was getting no further away so steadied myself to know I was going at race pace.
As I say, onward and upward, next stop is Retford Half Marathon in four weeks time.
