Race Report – Not The Roman Nine

I was a little disappointed with my time today. A PW by 5 seconds (although I've not exactly done many 12km races) and nearly a minute slower than last year when it was freezing.

Once again there were some familiar faces from Cannon Hill parkrun, including the Event Director, Mary, and some of the regular volunteers (all Birchfield Harriers, I think) as well as a few runners.

It's quite a trek from race HQ to the start and although it was beginning to look like quite a nice day, the wind was picking up and I felt quite chilly, but once there we weren't kept waiting too long and the race was underway just about on time.

There was a really strong headwind right from the start and up the hills over the first half of the race, which I suspect slowed a lot of people down.

Unlike one chap who I had the misfortune of observing in the roadside bushes with his shorts round his ankles, I at least had no 'intestinal issues'... This had actually been a concern for me. I had three beers yesterday afternoon, and for my last pint I decided to try a brew from my home town called 'Jorvik Blonde'. It tasted a little bit strange, but I put that down to the difference between it and the ale I'd been drinking previously. In the small hours of this morning, however, I had occasion to think perhaps it had been 'off'. Four occasions, actually.

I think I was overly concerned with my pace over the first 6 kilometers, pushing too hard up the hills. I should have remembered that the last 6 km would be much easier, especially having turned away from the wind. Turning a sharp left corner I was alongside a chap from Peel Road Runners (I think) who made a comment about being glad that the hill was behind us. I heartily agreed, and added that it was also good to have the wind at our backs for a change.

There wasn't an enormous amount of support from the public, the route is quite rural after all, but there was a good-natured and vocal crowd outside a Loxley village pub who helped us all along.
It was nice to see Mick and Phil out supporting everyone (twice). Phil in particular looked full of beans.

They say you live and learn. Well, perhaps I've done a bit more living than learning! All in all I enjoyed the run, which, once again, was really well organised, with marshals both numerous and encouraging, and great facilities.