It was a remarkably muggy and warm September morning. The whole area around Hursley School was buzzing with people - this is an event which has become well loved and respected over the few years that it's been taking place. Matt, Mark A and I trotted around a field for a few minutes (missing the raucous aerobics-style warm-up) and I was a pool of sweat five minutes before the start.
I set off at a fairly brisk pace in the front pack of about 10 runners. I felt strong and it was enjoyable. I passed 5k in 18:43, aware that it was my lungs that were the limiting factor - I was right at the top of the aerobic zone, and I had to pant on even modest slopes.
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| Oomph |
I pulled into 4th position on the main uphill drag around km 7. The final 2.5k is almost all downhill. I kept the pressure on, but into the final grassy straight I sensed someone behind me. It was Huw Davies, who belted past me and I had nothing left.
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| 0 mph |
I finished in 37:55, in 5th place. Annoyingly, Huw had taken the 1st M40 slot by 4 seconds, but otherwise I was chuffed - this was 36 seconds faster than
last year (which was admittedly in wetter conditions) and just 17 seconds slower than my 37:37 at the
Eastleigh 10k in March, a road event. Compare these:
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| 2012 Hursley 10k |
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| 2013 Hursley 10k |
After finishing I ran home via the Monarch's Way and Test Way - another 21k - keeping an eye on my mileage for Clarendon in 2 weeks' time. It's a gentle taper from here on.
