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Watford 10K
Good course - surprisingly tough - really well marshalled. Friendly atmos.
Perfect way to start bank holiday monday.
Done it last 3 years and times have got progressively worse so Sub 50 this year before I get too old.
Perfect way to start bank holiday monday.
Done it last 3 years and times have got progressively worse so Sub 50 this year before I get too old.
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Haven't done it for a couple of years but maybe I will this time. Assuming of course that Luton aren't playing (or should I say beating) Watford in the Play off final at Wembley that day!
"2-1" :0)
Remember Luton have won at Wembley :-)
Remember it is the team showing late season form that always wins the play-offs and we are coming back !
That last line is so true
Also they won't need to have finished all the seats because Watford only have about a thousand supporters :-)))
An indignant Pizza man will be alone in a moment. H is a member of the exclusive band of Hornets
Is that the pre match entertainment at Vicarage Rd?
Come on the super Dons.
Do you think this race would be too tough for a beginner??
Does it have any steep hills or anything?
Hoping someone can help!
Kind regards
Excited though
Thanks again
I'm with you in that I'm a beginner. I ran my first 10k in Feb this year which was the PPUK race in Battersea Park.
10k is tough but manageable - I took 64 mins to finish. I had previously only run 5k races so was really pleased just to finish.
I know Watford quite well and looking at the course route, it does look like there is one quite long hill leading up to Wippendell Woods so that will be a challenge I'm sure! However, I have heard that it is beginner friendly so I'm really glad you're going for it!
There are a couple of hills, but nothing really drastic. The main thing is not to go off too fast, which is easier said than done because it's a long downhill. The trouble is, then you have pretty much an equivalent uphill the other side of the river and canal.
The other thing to remember is that there is quite a long way left after you come back into Cassiobury Park.
Not a PB course, but definitely one of the more interesting courses (not using that word euphemistically!).
I have read that it is a good idea to let gravity take you and run fast downhill as it will make your overall time faster.
As an inexperience runner (particularly when it comes to hills) I tend to believe what I read so does anyone have a view on this?
I think the answer to your question is yes, to a degree: you want to relax downhill and make up some time you lose going uphill, but you don't want to overdo it, especially at the start of a race. I have learned this the hard way when it comes to races starting at the top of Cassiobury Park (the Half-Marathon does too, and various cross-country races)! Particularly if you are inexperienced, it is definitely better to start well within yourself, and you can always push on later if you feel good.
Hope to see some of you guys there.
Using gravity downhill, with slightly faster and shorter steps, provides some relief and helps to reduce the impact of each stride. Uphill, I try to ignore the desire to lean forward, but instead look ahead and lean back a little.
Finally, the final return 'lap' around the park (last km or so) includes a gentle incline for about 400m. Normally nothing to worry about, but it's the last thing you need at the end of a race.
Thanks for the advice!
x
I did this last year as one of my first 10ks (since completed the Watford 1/2/Reading/Thanet 20 miler etc) and I am going to run the FLM in 2 weeks, it's one of the most hilliest 10ks I have ever done!
Certainly not undulating!!!! If I remember correctly, every time I turned a corner there was another hill - in fact I think I had to walk up one of them.
Your presence is another incentive to run this race.
Mind you, I'm still negotiating whether I'm allowed to do it as it's on a Bank Holiday. I've managed it for the past few years...but it's always a struggle to get approval.
You guys all fit and ready?
I have entered with Rebecca Sportspace, we remember it well from last year, especially where we needed a chairlift to get to the top of one of the hills! To all those beginners out there, go for it, this was one of our first 10k last year and we managed it, hills and all! Its not that bad. The queue for the toilet was bad though so get there early!!!
Advance apologies for perhaps under-estimating the hilliness of the course. You are all welcome to berate me afterwards!
What type of shes are folk intending of wearing: Off-road/trail or road? With rain beforehand, Wippendel Woods might be muddy, but there is also a good bit of road included. On the other hand, if it's been dry for a few days prior to the race, road shoes would be fine through the woods too.