Trailblazer

It's been two years since Pete and I last ran the Trailblazer Forest of Dean race, but we'd signed up on the back of Horseplay being cancelled and so on Saturday morning (the day after my 55th birthday!) saw us driving across the country for a quick 10k in the forest.

Neither of us had trained particularly hard, and we'd both had a little more red wine the night before than is strictly sensible before a race!  But we are both fitter and lighter than we were two years ago and we wanted to beat our previous time. 54'44" (just under 9 minute miles) should be doable!

We met Alice when we got there, running her first 10k race, and in the same start wave as us. We registered and put on our numbers and set off for the start.  A minimal warm up (I am always reluctant to join in the organised warm ups - they seem like too much hard work) and we were at the start line, towards the back of the wave.  (It is nice to be able to overtake people - feels good!)

We were soon off, and it was nice to be on a familiar course, knowing what to expect, even if that did include the memory of the long slog up the hill at the back of the course. I was feeling good, and Pete and I made our way up through the pack, skirting runners by running on the grass on the edge of the track where we could. Soon the 1k mark came up and apart from feeling a bit guilty about leaving Alice behind, all was going well.

Soon we'd reached the bottom of the course, and started the mile long slog up to the top. In fact it wasn't as bad as I'd remembered and we were making good time. Round the top corner and it was flattish for the rest of the way.  We were heading for a 53 minute or so finish as the runners thinned out. We kept the pace going, overtook one or two more runners and soon reached the 9k mark. A bit more of a push over the last k brought us in at 52'35" (8'29" per mile) which was perfectly respectable.

Through the Finish gate, return the timing chip and pick up a medal and a goody bag, and off to sit on the grass to wait for Alice.  We'd hardly settled when we saw her coming into the final straight. She clocked 57'38", which was a brilliant time.

We wandered over to the massage tent, where Alice had her legs massaged, and then had a bite to eat (baked potato with chilli) at the only food outlet on the field. Then back to the car and home.

A good day out and a good result.  Sub 50 minutes next year!