The sun was shining, the sky was bkue, only the odd cloud to spoil the view and no Chris Hodge or Gwithian Towans for miles. All looked set for a nice evening in an idyllic setting, even if the numbers had caught the organisers out a little and the cow pats needed avoiding.
The pre race briefing warned of us of the hilly(!)nature of the course, so perhaps it wasn`t going to be as relaxing as we thought. I had no great aspirations other than to get around, as my running has gone downhill since injuring myself at Meet The Max, and subsequently moving house etc has meant a very random training schedule if you can call it that!
I found myself quite a way back at the start, but after the first 1km could see several Carnies ahead, and pulled up quite close to them, and gradually went past Debbie, Jan etc. Chris was also passed but we became literally inseperable as the race developed.
The early part of the course was pleasant through the woods, and gave no warning of the challenging running to come. I was feeling better than for several weeks and comfortable as I slowly pulled Ceri, the next Carnie, back. Chris was never far away, and I was rapidly getting the impression that wasn`t going to change.
The race suddenly became harder as we entered the double loop in the middle of the course, and the hill we went up twice took its toll on several runners. I managed to push on past Ceri on the hill, but Chris was still there! As we finished the double loop we pushed on back towards Trelissick, only to be greeted by the hill equivalent of a bridge too far. At this stage Chris and I were literally joined at the hip, which included walking up the hill together! At the top we were near to home and we pushed on.
As we entered Trelissick I thought I saw another Carn vest ahead, but we weren`t sure. Either way I couldn`t see me catching whoever it was at that stage, and I was more concerned with trying to fend Chris off. As we passed the finishing line for the first time, and headed through the 9km flag I recognised the flying Carnie as Helen Smith, who must have run fantastically to be there. The gallop downhill and run across the bottom of the field felt wonderful, but still the final climb up the field remained, and we now literally had a race within a race, Helen leading, Chris and I in hot pursuit. As we started the climb uphill I was spurred on by the fact that Helen was getting closer and closer, and I chanced a glance over my shoulder and Chris wasn`t as close as I thought anymore.
As we neared the top of the climb I went past Helen who had given everything she had, and as we turned for home at the top I had a fairly healthy lead over her, with Chris coming up behind. Spurred on, I pushed on for the line, and managed to find the energy to cheer them both in, immediately followed by a gallon of water!
All the other Carnies started to appear, and it was great to see Laura and Carole particularly digging in and doing so well. I thought the course was great, scenic but challenging, and I think most people would agree its definitely one to have a go at in the future.
As a recent convert to the running game this was only my second 10k, after Meet the Max. I think l will retire at the top because I`ve somehow managed to be first Carnie back both times, so its downhill all the way now!
Seriously the most satisfying thing was beating my previous time by about 7 minutes at a time when my running hasn`t been going well, so it pays to keep going through all the ups and downs. Its when things aren`t going well, that the advice people like Chris Hodge or Mike Knowles offer is most appreciated, so thanks guys!
|
