BOLTON 10K. Relatively pleased with this run, even though it's still not fast enough to indicate a sub4! Was feeling very tired and sluggish in the morning and was really imagining a 54 or 55 minute job for this. After talking with Nick I decided to try a different pacing approach and I thought I would still practice this anyway - which was to start much slower than I did at RV. I planned to go out at 8.30-8.40 pace and then try and run faster in the 2nd half. It was a big race, and I was in a decent enough jam to run the first mile at target pace with no chance of going faster 8.36. The slower pace really really made for a far more enjoyable experience and I was amazed how good I felt, and at half way I thought I could easily run a bit faster, until I rounded the corner and saw the big hill. A steep gravelly track, very like Hellvellyn in Sutton Park. I ran up it, but many around me walked. A nice free wheel downhill, and then another long steep road hill. Well I knew a negative split would be impossible now, so I just thought I'd focus on getting the last few splits under 8.30 min miles. Was a decent finish, felt stronger than last time, Dazz said I looked better. Course was a little short though, and Mr Garmin has avg pace for this down as 8.41 (so actually quite a bit slower than RV), but I honestly think without the 2 hills I would have matched or bettered RV). 8.36,8.26, 8.34, 8.52, 9.18, 8.29, 7.37. (positions overall 298/562 , F 49/187 , F40 11/36)
Good