This is a nifty local race on fast tarmac and packed gravel around the Broadlands estate. It's quite pricey and the organisation has been a bit erratic in the past, but it's nonetheless a decent fixture in the racing calendar. More significantly for me, this was my first test of speed since my knee starting whinging in the middle of last year. And I hadn't run this particular race since 2019 when I got a chip time of 29:48.
The weather this morning remained dunkelflaute - cold (3 degrees), calm, cloudy - really very dreary but really not bad racing conditions. There were a few Romsey folk there but not a huge contingent of club folk because it clashed with a CC6 race. A warm-up and few stretches later, and I was on the start line, trying to get into a calm zen-like state and stay in 'glide' mode for the first km or so.
It seemed to work. I thought about my breathing and my posture, and as the field opened up I felt good. I was quite close behind a lady with Erin written on the back of her shirt. As we finished the first short lap it became clear that (a) she was the leading lady and (b) her pacing was excellent. I stayed a few paces behind her and kept going.
The out-and-back leg of the final lap was enjoyable as it was an opportunity to see the leaders (Matt Bennett and Shaun Brown were right up there) and to wave at others on the way back. I felt myself gaining on Erin but remained cautious about overtaking until the final straight when I edged past. I also picked up an Aldershot runner and heaved over the line.
I deliberately hadn't looked at my watch while racing. I had a look. 28:48... wow! And my chip time was 29:45. I was absolutely thrilled.
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| The locals |
