Hogs Back race 2019

Today was part 2 of a rather bonkers weekend.  Alarm at 6, in the car by 6:50 and off to the Loseley Estate near Guildford for the 7-mile Hogs Back road race.  After some tricky car parking shenanigans we met up with Neil and Ali, and by the time we'd stashed our bags the 9am start was almost upon us.

My legs were horribly heavy after yesterday's half, and my left hamstring was creaking with every step.  I ran as briskly as my legs would allow.  I'd studied the route profile beforehand and knew there would be a modest hill followed by a much bigger hill.  This was deceptive; the first one was a real stinger of a hill, really steep and long; the second, which takes you up the Hogs Back, was a steady and entirely manageable incline.

Hill 1 hard, hill 2 easy

There was a long downhill stretch off the Hogs Back, during which I overtook a couple of guys.  One of them stayed on my tail throughout the final third of the race and then expertly edged forward.  Cue two others to glide ahead. I knew we must be close to the finish line and I pushed hard, but there was very little in the tank.

I made it over the line in 45:46, 31st place and 3rd M50.  I was happy enough with that - here are my stats.  Not very sensible running a fast road race the day after a tough half... I'm thankful to get away reasonably intact.

Four Hares go mad in Loseley... but we never found the icecream

Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy?