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Saturday 22nd May
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Bad luck popsider but well done to Alison.
Lyrics today were "Do It Clean" by "Echo & The Bunnymen"
Barbara, congratulations on your time. I tried to spot you at the race but obviously missed you.
Popsider, glad to see that you're feeling positive about the day.
Anyway, my own White Peak report:
Like Barbara said, the weather was good for running: warm but not hot, and the trail was dry all the way round. There was a bit of chaos at the start - first race I've been in where no-one wanted to go to the front. I ended up in the first ten or so, but the field soon got spread out.
The first mile split was really 0.9m because we were using the full marathon distance markers. The first eight miles were fairly flat and generally on a good surface, though things got harder when it changed to looser gravel at around 7m. I held a fairly consistent pace over this stretch, with my splits all between 6:20 and 6:32.
After 8m I was in 9th position (though I didn't know this at the time) and could see the two guys in front of me struggling. Trouble was, so was I: I had a stitch that was getting steadily worse. I was hanging on for dear life, but still gaining on one of the guys in front.
The descents on the last 5m were too steep for me, the kind where going flat out would get you to the bottom with two broken legs. Fortunately though, my stitch eased up over this stretch. I was still battling it out with the guy in front: he was quicker than me on the downhills but I knew I could get him on the flat and uphill stretches.
Coming into the last mile, all flat, I was hurting but still maintaining a good pace. I saw what I thought was the finish and made my move, passing the guy and moving into 8th place. Unfortunately, the "finish" turned out to be round another corner: another 100 yards or so to go. Holding the sprint was an effort of will more than anything, but I did it, finishing in 8th place (my best ever result) in a time of 1:23:37. This was 11 seconds slower than my PB, but on a course where most of the frontrunners lost a minute or more on their best, I reckon this was pretty good.
Overall, definitely one to do again. Excellent atmosphere, great organisation, and if there's a race in Britain with better scenery I haven't done it yet.
Aardvark, not knowing race numbers before made it a bit tricky to spot anybody. Well done on your race. Those downhill sections were much longer than I expected and the concrete sleepers made the risk of injury pretty high!
Certainly a race to inspire the most jaded runner.
I am now trying the "stifler race/train preperation method" although I think I need to up the pace a bit
Marmite; a hangover two nights before a race seems like good planning! Good luck at Derby. Toyed with the idea myself 'till did today's long run.
Venom; hope to see you back to where you belong, and soon.
Barbara; well run. May sound a stupid Q but is this a hilly course??
BR fancy an easy evening run tomorrow??
4 pints of guinness and a spaggi bol curry. And if its hot add extra salt.
Sorted
"Right from the gun I knew this was going to be a tough race..."
"as the local wildlife was getting too close for comfort"
Low mileage week but a real confidence boost
Is it laughing gas
Can I extend my legs by 12" thus increasing my stride length and speed which completely demoralises my fellow competitors
Do I drop out on lap 1 and rejoin the race as 1st place runner is passing the place where I am hiding on lap 2
Popsider, don't know what to say. Puts little niggles and losses of form into perspective.
Treadmill, I'll run with you if you've had 3 bottles of Spitfire and 3 bags of nuts first:)
It is a lovely race too as I'm sure the others that ran it would confirm. I was thinking watching the finishers why don't some of you enter this and win it, I know it might be a cheap win but a win is a win isn't it. Next year I want to see daily training threaders taking mens and womens races!
Treadmill - it was mph you cheeky so and so ! I'm quite pleased with the week cycling wise - finally posted a TT time that was up with the proper competitive lads in our club - it's stupid little victories like this that make it worthwhile.
I didn't feel like I was properly struggling until I hit the bottom of the final hill 12 miles... I was already slowing before then though I'll give you that ;o)
Good to chat to you afterwards.. hope the journey home was not too much of a trauma on the train.
Andy