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Nick Cook writes: I got up nice and early and headed off to the Nortel Business Park in plenty of time – they said there would be no delays this year – a 9:30 sharp start without fail (we’ll see!) Got to the
turn off the A4 and there were loads of cars queuing to get
down to the Park – I’ve always just driven straight in
previously. Anyway, I got parked up, had a wander round, found
the loos and bumped into a few Windle Valley runners (a good WVR
turnout this year). |
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The hooter went off at 9:40
and we were off – that’s when the rain started. Just a drizzle,
but enough to be a nuisance for glasses wearers!! I was running at an average pace of about 8:30 minute miles (although they were varying greatly – I don’t know if the mile markers were accurate!) and feeling quite comfortable. I passed Mark just past the 5 mile marker and was still feeling good. Then just before the 8 mile mark, I came to the gentle slope up and over the railway. Now, I run this part of the course as part of my lunchtime runs, as I work on one of the airfield estates, although I run it the other way round. The way I run it, that gentle slope isn’t a problem, but this way round, it just drained all the energy out of me, and I slowed down to a 9:25 minute mile. |
Mark overtook me during the last mile, but I finished with an 8:35 minute mile. At the finish we were presented with a medal and a welcome Mars bar. Fortunately too, there were helpers to get the timing chips off – I couldn’t bend down to get mine off!!! Wandered back to the car and just sat for half an hour before getting out of the business park – lots of cars this year!! I was a bit
disappointed with my time of 1:26 – I was hoping for 1:25, but
that bad ninth mile finished me off – more training required before
next year!! There were some good looking times amongst the Windle
Valley runners. |
