So last Sunday saw my return to “competitive” running for the first time in two years, and it fact it was this race two years ago that was my last.
Expertly organised and run by the Marlow Striders this is a hard run through the beautiful Chilterns. With 4-5 weeks of training under my belt I was ready, hanging back at the start line firmly in the 120 minutes plus section I was wondering if I’d get round on “ability” or determination, this wasn’t about the PB this was about getting out there and running and just getting off my arse.
The start was signalled by a rocket and runners were reminded to go on the “bang” and not the “whoosh” There wasn’t much of a bang, but there was a cheer and clapping from the 1200 assembled runners and we started moving off, the first couple of k’s are all up hill and going off too fast here will ruin your day, I set off with no expectation and stuck to a steady and slow pace, the difference it makes when you are aiming to get around rather than get a PB. Heading out of Marlow the climb wasn’t as punishing as it seemed a couple of years ago and I was happy in myself with progress as the mile markers ticked by, dropping down the hill into the next valley was nice after all the up hill.
The course remains flat for a few miles before the inevitable turn for home around 7 miles and just before the 8 mile marker you face the climb back out of the valley with a steep hill that whilst lasting only 400 – 500 metres really takes the energy out of your legs, there is then a couple more miles of relatively flat road before another climb and then the nice steady drop back down the road you started up a few hours ago and into Marlow. The race is superbly organised and enthusiastic marshals line the route. The marshals are mainly runners themselves being members of the Marlow Striders who aren’t allowed to enter their own race.
The weather was overcast most of the time with the occasional sun break through and there was no wind, until turning the corner at about 6 miles into a headwind (you never notice a tail wind) however with most of the running done in sheltered lanes the wind wasn’t too much of an issue.
All in all a great race and one I’ll be doing next year all be it with more training miles in the legs and maybe a shot at a PB!
This year : 02:19:22
Course PB : 02:03:48