Fell running race 1:04:10 [5] 10.0 km (6:25 / km) +900m 4:26 / km
shoes: Innov8 Xtalon 2017 #2
British Champs Donard Challenge 37th
After the other week at Long Mynd I was a bit embarassed with how I ran and wanted to do better at this. Managed to get in two weeks of good training and felt alright on the morning.
Went out hard-ish and allowed myself to be swallowed up a bit along the forest tracks ended up settling in to a place with Matt and Saville for a bit before dropping backwards again up towards checkpoint 1. Was working away up the first climb when Jack came past which meant I was 6th Ambleside counter. Thought to myself it was going to be another bad race but stuck in a gradually worked my way back up the field overtaking Joe, Karl, Jack and Harold by the 2nd checkpoint. I was in 50th here which is still a bit pants to be honest. Caught Saville and Tim Ellis up the next climb and managed to pull away slightly from them going over the summit plateau. At the point I was at the summit cairn Tom Gibbs, myself, Harold, JackW, Karl, Joe and Todd were all on the plateau within what must have been 90s or so.
At the top I was in 45rd place but didn't really expect to make too much head way in to the places in front of me as I didn't feel like I was able to attack the descent that well. I expected to pull Saville and Tim with me down the hill but I'd gapped them a bit when I first looked back and closed up towards a group led by Darren Kay. Followed them in vaguely the right direction before looking up and spotting Tom Gibbs a bit further right on a nice looking trod so went after him. Dropping in to the valleyI knew I was gaining quickly on Tom and could see Nails ahead, a quick look to the right and I saw the group which had been ahead coming in behind.
Hit the woodline in 39th and dove straight down this cool little mountainbike track! Couldn't see Neil but likewise couldn't see anyone behind. Overtook Ben Mounsey walking off a fall in this section before finally glimpsing Neil just before the flat track. Leg went completely weak hitting the flat so had a glance behind and saw no one steaming towards me. Overtook Neil on the little cobbled section but didn't really gap him, saw the Perry group just ahead but there wasn't enough time to catch up any more.
Pretty pleased on reflection with 37th, it seemed like there was a good field. My best champs race results are two 36th place finishes from few year back so if I'm unhappy with my fitness now then hopefully I can climb a few more places in other champs races
Fell running warm up/down 26:45 [3] 4.23 km (6:19 / km) +45m 6:00 / km
shoes: Innov8 Xtalon 2017 #2
Jogging along the seafront with Harold before venturing up the course a bit.
Shuffle back along the sea front afterwards with the gang after a very short dip in the sea