Nick Cook reports

I ran the Lordshill 10 mile race in Southampton on Sunday along with Chris Dent from WVR. I wanted to do another 10 mile run for the club championship as my Maidenhead time wasn’t very good. I really wanted to knock a couple of minutes off that time to get a bit nearer to last years’ time. But my running hasn’t been very good lately, so I wasn’t too hopeful.

 The day started off foggy and quite cold - and very early!!! Up at 7:00 for an 8 o’clock departure. We have friends who live near Southampton and we had been invited to lunch afterwards, so the whole family had to get up and come with me this time – they were not happy at such an early start!! 

Got parked up at a school nearby and met Chris who was a surprise late entrant, and jogged off to the start for a warm up jog and stretch. The fog had cleared and a pleasant run seemed in prospect. Lined up with Chris and set off on the hooter along with another couple of hundred runners. Chris set off at quite a pace, so I let him go – much too fast for me!!! Got to the first mile marker and checked my watch – 7:33 – I wouldn’t be able to keep that pace up for 10 miles!!! Slowed down a bit and settled into an 8 minute mile pace for a few miles. At 5 miles, I was still on target for a 1:20 finish, but realised I was slowing down. I didn’t try to fight it though and stayed at a comfortable pace. At 7 miles I saw friends and family cheering and shouting just ahead – that was nice – I normally have to go to these events on my own. So a bit of a spurt for the camera, before slowing down to a really slow pace!!