This is a new-ish local race which is now part of the Hampshire Road Race League. Lots of local runners were taking part, so it seemed like an obvious candidate. Two weeks ahead of forth attempt to make the EA Masters grade in Worcester, it was also a good tune-up / check-in opportunity.
The carpark was a fair way from the race HQ, so by the time I'd jogged there, got my number and been through the portaloo queue there wasn't much time left to get to the start. With a field of over 600 it was a busy affair. I found myself next to David Shepherd waiting for the gun.
It was a breezy downhill start, then a series of left turns on a two-lap anticlockwise course. The undulations made it interesting - nothing very steep or arduous, but enough to give it some texture. I was enjoying myself slowly reeling people in. I went past Andy Parkinson, who has been my mortal rival in the RR10s again this year (he's been one M55 place ahead of me every time) and the thought of him sticking behind me was motivation to keep the pressure on.
I finished spent, but satisfied. My pacing and overall competitiveness has been good. The chip time of 39:07 wasn't spectacular, but that's a secondary consideration. Although I was 7th in the M50 category I was unofficially 1st M55, which I'll gladly take. Here are my stats.
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| Reassuringly grim |
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