Mid Week League - Royston
4/6/2009 - 10Km
This was a race of a few first, just not first place sadly.
It was my first 10Km race, so a personal best guaranteed. My first race for Trent Park and my first time running in this league.
Getting there on time was my first concern. I work on Upper Street in Islington (London) and finish at 6:00pm so making the 7:45 pm start was a challenge. Lucky, I ride a motorbike to work which would make it a bit easier. Left work just before 6:00pm and the traffic was nightmare. By 6:30pm I had only made it as far as the Great Cambridge roundabout. If the traffic on the A10 was heavy I was not going to make it. Weaved in and out of cars up the A10 through Enfield and got across the M25 and the road opened up. Made the car park at about 7:15pm. Parked up and started to get changed.
Meet Jan who directed my to Malcolm who had the numbers. Finished getting ready, pulling on the Yellow and Green vest for the first time and made my way to the start, which was supposed to be a 8 minute walk. I did a slow run to warm up but seemed to be going forever before I found the start.
Loads of people and most of them seemed to be from Trent Park but could be that Yellow Vest stands out more.
Off we went. Decided just to run at a pace I was comfortable with and not worry about everyone else. I had done a 10 mile race (with mud, bog and water) on Sunday and not full recovered.
Nice area to run around, I used to live in Royston but had not spent much time in these villages so an interesting route. Knew it was not going to be flat.
The first couple of Km was deceptive as it was fairly flat. Perhaps they have found the only flat 10Km route in the area. No there is a hill. Kept the pace going and worked my way up the hill and down the other side.
Sam, Jade and Tabitha had passed me and by the 4Km mark Catlin had caught me as well. As we reached the 5Km mark I checked my watch and I was 2 minutes under my 5Km handicap time. Felt ok so pressed on at the same pace. All seemed to be down hill from the 6Km mark rounded the corner to the 7Km and started a gentle up hill. By the 8Km mark it was getting steeper, surely it can not be like this for the next 2Km. Yes it can, kept going past the 9Km mark and then into the village again. Not sure where the finish line was but as I turned the corner into the car park I saw it and then heard someone shout "You can get him if you sprint now" not sure who they where talking about but I am not taking any chances and sprinted as best as I could to the finish line. As an added incentive the clock was approaching 51 mins and I wanted to finish under this. Made it across the line in 50:58 (unoffical).
In all a great race, well organised (apart from the lack a food by the time I made it to the hall) and well layed out. Looking forward to the next one in Harlow.