Weather conditions - light to heavy drizzle with a slight tailwind out to the turn at Kirkstall Abbey. Earlier rain had, however made parts of the course quite wet. The course was meant to be dead flat.
This was my 1st race since middle of October. As I haven't done any speedwork since then I wasn't sure what to expect today.
Probably one of the best quality fields I've run against and was looking to finish in the top 100, rather than my accustomed top 20.
Plan was to run an even paced 10k, not to go off too fast and to use my HRM for some feedback.
Here's what happened:
Very crowded start made getting to the front very difficult but started off about 2 or 3 rows back. Checked my watch at the 1k point - 3:25. HR at 162 (93% MHR), which was also higher than expected. Bit fast but not too concerned as I felt in control. The next 3k's were pretty uneventful and were passed in 3:38, 3:39 & 3:44.
At the 4k mark this hill appeared and I thought, "this shoudn't be here" but it was. The 5th K also went through the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey. A marshal shouted, "Watch out for the puddle". If there's one thing I hate doing is running with sodden shoes, but it was too late. The puddle was about 6" deep and about 3 or 4 metres long.
Passed through 5k in 18:15, which is probably what I expected to do.
6k split was 3:42. 7k marker was in the wrong place as I had maintained my pace and went through in 4:04. 8k marker was in the correct place - 3:22, which meant a 3:43 average for 7 & 8. Started winding it up a bit over the final 2k and pulled away from a few other runners.
9k split was 3:38. Final 1k is uphill but still managed a 3:41 split to finish in 36:43.
Overall, although not a PB, I was quite happy with the result. HR was extremely consistent throughout at 93% MHR, peaking at about 95%. Pace was very even, apart for my 1st split.
I thought the course was quite well marshalled, however I don't think that would be the opinion of those at the back as the roads were opened pretty quickly, requiring a lot of runners to switch to the pavement.
The reason this event has had some remarkably fast times in the past is probably due to the quality field rather than the course.
Would I do it again - definitely, although next year I think I'd take my 2 week break and stop the speedwork after this event!
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Comments
Wish we'd had km markers today as it does make for easier pacing than mile markers.
What's next?
Oh well.. see you all next year
I made the mistake of starting toward the rear. One of my gripes about the race is its a bottleneck start, so whereas, its a good place for a pb, its a bit of a lottery. I had to walk pretty much all the way to TGI Friday by which time any hope of a pb had gone out of the window.
Unfortunately, apart from the hope of a fast time, the race has litle to commend it so I spent the remaining time trying to catch up my, failing miserably!! The weather didnt help my spirits either.
Cant agree about the marshalls though. There seemed to be a higher quotient of knobhead drivers this year and the police and marshalls did a good job in difficult conditions.
I'm sure I read on another thread that the field was larger this year. Anyone know if this was the case. It certainly seemed a lot more crowded for longer to me.
Not a bad t-shirt though.
could have been more help from the police.
There were loads of daft drivers as well. How can they expect to pull out of a side street with so many runners.
Fishy has a good idea in closing the road.
There were supposed to be 2700 runners which is up on last years although i don't know by how much.
nice one mate ;-) that is a great time.
I knew you were making it up the other day when you said you'd lost all your speed, yeah right, lost all your speed and ran 36:43, so what's the low down on the Turkey Trot, will I have the pleasure of your company next Sunday??
Funny how everyone seemed to notice different distance markers - I didn't notice any after 4k.
apparently there was an incident with the road closure - after about 2 thirds of the runners were through the police came up and said some cars had entered the marked off area on the road by the abbey and were driving through, so they had to get runners to stop to let traffic through and change the route to the other side of the road on the pavement. I would have been rather annoyed at stopping.
I really enjoyed watching and was jealous of everyone that could do that run - watch out for me next year !!
well done everyone!!
I do have a certain sympathy for residents in areas where a big race like this being held. There was hardly any advance publicity for the race (that I saw but then I never buy EP) and I'd be pretty hacked off if I had to wait for up to an hour to get out of the street where I live.
Why didnt you wave penguinette? (sob)
not a PB but a very good time, well done. & well done to everybody who took part.
WELL DONE Claire!
i know ill have seen you as i saw the first and i stayed til the last person got past.
i was the devastatingly gorgeous girl just as you got out of the abbey on the main road with the devillishy attractive kenny (south park) bobble hat on! surely you saw me ??!!!
http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2002/abbeydash.htm
I thought the race was a lot less organised and a loss less enjoyable than last year but I'm sure thats a combination of the increased numbers (a mistake IMHO) and the weather.
Dont let it put you off roots. That was a good time for a first-timer and there are many more enjoyable 10k races in the running calendar. Dont be fooled by the top 100 billing RW give it. Its not a BAD race as such but there are loads better.
Also thanks to the other anonymous race widow who helped my wife with the pram & had coffee with her!!!
Overall a Good run, but missing kilometre markers & no water stations!!!!
Also jeers to the unknown club runner who elbowed his way to the front before the start!!! He almost knocked some female runner ouf his way!!! Then he took off without an apology. Liked to see him do it to someone his on size, as he would not have got a PB had he done it to me!!