Despite the mention of hills on a few of last year’s reviews of the race, I was really looking forward to the run. The set up was great and easy to navigate – lots of free parking a short walk from the number collection and starting area. The event is part of the village’s annual Duck Race Day so the locals were out in force enjoying the sunshine which gave a really lovely community atmosphere.
I’m not too sure how many participants there were at the event, but it was a perfect amount to give a fantastic start line buzz while not being too cramped or busy as we headed over the line and through the cheering crowds as the race got underway.
I knew it was going to be an out and back course and that was part of the appeal when I signed up as for some reason I quite enjoy that style of route. So as I made my way over some of the first few inclines, I managed to keep a really good pace by reminding myself that although they were tricky, I’d have the ease of running down them on my way back towards the end of the race. With this in mind, the first mile ticked by quickly and fairly pain free.
The second mile was a bit different. The hills carried on and my enthusiasm for them dwindled somewhat. I kept running as much as I could, trying to distract myself with the absolutely gorgeous scenery but stopped for a few walking breaks, conscious that I didn’t want to burn myself out in the first half in the race.
When I signed up for the run, I had in my head that I wanted to complete it in 55 minutes – an average pace of 11 minute miles. It’s no record breaking speed but it’s a long way from where I was at the start of 2019. As I carried on struggling to get to the half way point and the switch back, I saw my average pace slipping further away from that mark and started to think that I’d compromise with myself and be pleased with anything under an hour.
It was a huge motivator seeing the faster runners coming back the other way and after what seemed like an age, I was one of those going around the tight bend and back towards the start line. Finally over half way! At this point, the struggles of the first half started to fade away, my favourite songs started shuffling on my playlist and I started to feel really good. This was probably helped somewhat by the forgiving downhills which I’d been dragging myself up just a little while before.
Trying my best to keep focussed as I watched that average pace start slipping back to where I had originally planned, I carried on building speed and gradually kept catching up and then passing groups who I’d been watching in front of me. I want to emphasise here that it wasn’t about competing with these people – it was entirely about me being pleased and a little surprised as I saw my watch stabilise itself in numbers I wasn’t used to seeing anymore.
As I entered the final mile, I knew I was back on track for that 55 minute goal. Still enjoying the downhills, soon I was back amongst the cheering crowds of locals with the finish line coming closer all the time. Finally, I crossed it just about bang time! I was absolutely delighted as I collected my momento t-shirt along with a very welcome Freddo bar from the smiling volunteers.
All in all, this was an excellent little race and one that’s definitely on the list to return to (probably with a good contingent from DOrunning) next year. It was a really good price with all profits going to the local Community Responders, very well organised and supported with a route that was a good challenge without being brutal. So glad I made that last minute entry.
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| All smiles ready to go! |
