Torrential rain was falling as I left the house for Wilverley Plain, with some violent thunder crashes echoing around. But by the time I arrived, the landscape was wreathed in golden evening sunshine, and we started the race squinting as we ran over the plain towards the sun. We had a full km of flat open grassland before we hit the woods and I tried hard to keep the pacing in check.
Down into the woods, and some wonderfully technical dodges and swerves on the muddy course. I had wavered about what shoes to wear, had brought both to the start and had ended up wearing the fell shoes, thank goodness. There were plenty of stories afterwards of runners falling.
After about a mile I caught up James Clarke and after staying on his shoulder I overtook him a bit nervously... James nearly always beats me. Five minutes later I approached Rob Finch. I tucked behind him, and there I stayed for most of the race, with Rob gradually pulling ahead.
There's something about the Wilverley course; the final approach to the finish is deceptive, and you suddenly chance upon it. In previous years this has cost me a place, but luckily today I held on and was astonished to finish in 14th place, my best position for many years. With the rule changes, an extra club has to sit out each race, and today there were no Stubbington runners... had this made the difference? In any case, I was thrilled with the result. A great start to the summer season.
