Harewood Forest 10k, 2017

This had all the hallmarks of a no-nonsense local run through decent countryside, and it absolutely met expectations.  The weather was dry, cool and intermittently sunny, which gave Mrs S particularly protracted what-should-I-wear concerns.  Dixie jazz was playing at the Wherwell recreation ground and there was a very jolly atmosphere. Several Romsey runners were there, including James Battle who groaned when he saw me... I'd delighted in taking him out in the final stages of the Southampton half last week.

A big crowd set off, a mixture of 5k and 10k runners and including the inevitable swarm of children who rushed and skittered over the first few hundred metres. Out of the rec, across the road and we were immediately up a chalky farm track and into the countryside.

It was a beautiful day and a gorgeous bluebell landscape.  I had some prolonged tussles with a few other runners, but James was way ahead. With the sun now shining and a relatively simple route, and I had a good sense of where I was in the overall race course. There was a great mix of open fields and forest tracks.

I had nothing left as we came back downhill, back over the road and in to the finish area.  I got to the finish line and lay down on the grass having got a respectable 4th place in 41:10, 30 seconds behind James.  Mrs S and Poppy had a super race too and we cheered the rest of the RRRs home.

A lovely race and super way to spend a bank holiday morning.  We'll be back!

The RRR crew

The speedy ladies of Harewood Forest