Run > Race

Not the greatest prepertaion for the Manx, after finally arriving at the Isle of Man after ferry's being cancelled because of such bad weather, driving to different ports, waiting around not knowing if we were going and a horrendous sea sickening journey over I was glad to get in the hotel, late and very unprepared for the next day after having to try and force a bit of food down.

After a very early nervous drive to the start I really warm up and look foward to the race, was quite unprepared and late in the morning due to the late night before and knackerness. But felt quite excitied at the thought of what was to come. We really took it too easy for the begining 10 miles as we ran with a group, and I was quite cold from going so slow and at one point REALLY just did want to get on with things, and felt it was all a bit too easy for a fell race. ( I think I imagined myself slogging away all too much). After about 10 miles we broke away from the group and did make good headway, the pace being just right. The sights were amazing, the race was turning out to be far more enjoyable than I first though. The navigation was so much better than I thought and the weather was kind after all those strong winds and snow. Food seemed to go down well and there wasn't really a point where I felt that i didn't have enough energy, it had to be the strongest I had felt in a race for a long time, making good progress on the down hills (even having enough time to stop to adjust shoes and backpacks on a near my rock) and on what is normally my weaker side, I found I was strong on the ups too and kept to a good pace. There was only one section in the race where I did find myself getting fed up and not so motivated, and it was the long tarmac hill up to a a very barren unatrractive hill (South barul, I think). Once at the top though this soon past and I enjoyed the run down to roundhouse, where we saw the kids for the 2nd time All in all I was dead chuffed with the manx, very well organised, beautiful race. Where myself and my friend got joint 3rd senoir lady and trophie. I really want to go back and have another go, as I really think I did not do this race justice and felt like I could have put in a bit more effort and made up quite a lot of time.