Triffic Trail - 28/6/2009 - 10Km
Trent Park Running Clubs Triffic Trail is a 10Km trial run around the paths and roads of Trent Park. Known to be hilly, well Trent Park is not flat, and known to be a bit tough.
The few days leading up to the race where hot, very hot, so expecting the ground to be hard. However, the night before it chucked it down. Left me in a bit of a quandary with shoes, off road or road.
Arrived at the park in my off road shoes, some bit a bit soft under foot so decided to go with these. Collected my number, picked up my goodie bag, then dropped my bag off. Had decided to run with music (Podrunner) to help keep pace up and down the hills.
The day was hot an muggy. Felt very sticky even before we started running so this was going to be a tough race, hot, humid and hilly.
Not sure of my time for this so found a place near the back. Hooter and off we go.
Should have found a place mid field as I was getting pend in my slower runners, at the start. The first 1Km was wide so allowed the field the thin out, was able to get past a few of the slower runners before we headed into the woods.
Woods section narrowed and slower runners held me up. They really should run on the left to allow fast people through on the right, had to weave in and out a few times. First hill is the one we do on the Handicap so knew what to expect and what pace to run. Down the hill and up another around the corner to the water stop.
Grabbed a cup and started walking. Gulped it down, big mistake should have slipped a bit and dumped it. Started running again and felt sick. Slowed the pace down as we ran along the flat bit to the 5Km mark. Up the hill stepped out. Shoes lose and needed a moment to settle down. Adjust my shoes and off running up hill again. Struggled up the hill and kept going.
At the 8Km mark walked up the hill as I knew how tough this one is. At the top started running again. Along the road and around the corner, past the water table again and onto the grass for the run the finish. Checked the watch over my PB but could still make it under the hour. Pushed on through the finish. Grabbed a water bottle and found some shade under the trees.
This was very tough, with temperatures in the high twenties even harder. However finished in a time of 57:57.