With Tenby being my home town, I'm a little ashamed to say that the first time I ran it's 10k was in 2014. However, after doing so it instantly became one of my favourite 10ks around. Last year's race took place on a scorching hot Sunday in July where the heat caused many problems.
Apart from the month and day, this year was completely different. The skies were grey, rain fell and the biting wind provided a bit of a chill. So much so in fact, that I donned my running leggings for this one (something I didn't think I'd need in July).
What I love about events held in Tenby is no matter what the weather, there is a great atmosphere. Despite the cold and rain, hundreds signed up to race and hundreds came out to watch. There was a real buzz of excitement in Tudor Square and I was eager to get to the start.
Once the competitors are called to the start, they make their way down to St Julian's Street. Now, how anyone who has been to Tenby will know that this street is fairly narrow, so filling it with 600 runners, including a Scooby Doo, was a sight to behold. It was also highly entertaining watching a man trying to drive down St Julian's Street only to be halted by the sea of competitors. Most people would have pulled over until we had past or just turned around, but not this guy. His suggestion was, and I quote: "surely they could just move aside to let me past." Yeah good luck with that...muppet.
Anyway, back to the race. I found myself a good position toward the front of the crowd and awaited the claxon. By the time the 1 minute warning came I was raring to go. My race plan was simple and what I use for every 10k. Go out as fast as you can for as long you can, keep a decent pace for the rest and save enough for a sprint finish.
After a countdown from ten, we were off. Running up the high street was chaotic but a lot of fun. Trying to plot out a route through all the runners while keeping a decent pace up was challenging, but running up the high street with so many supporters cheering you on, including my family was just brilliant.
Apart from the month and day, this year was completely different. The skies were grey, rain fell and the biting wind provided a bit of a chill. So much so in fact, that I donned my running leggings for this one (something I didn't think I'd need in July).
What I love about events held in Tenby is no matter what the weather, there is a great atmosphere. Despite the cold and rain, hundreds signed up to race and hundreds came out to watch. There was a real buzz of excitement in Tudor Square and I was eager to get to the start.
Once the competitors are called to the start, they make their way down to St Julian's Street. Now, how anyone who has been to Tenby will know that this street is fairly narrow, so filling it with 600 runners, including a Scooby Doo, was a sight to behold. It was also highly entertaining watching a man trying to drive down St Julian's Street only to be halted by the sea of competitors. Most people would have pulled over until we had past or just turned around, but not this guy. His suggestion was, and I quote: "surely they could just move aside to let me past." Yeah good luck with that...muppet.
Anyway, back to the race. I found myself a good position toward the front of the crowd and awaited the claxon. By the time the 1 minute warning came I was raring to go. My race plan was simple and what I use for every 10k. Go out as fast as you can for as long you can, keep a decent pace for the rest and save enough for a sprint finish.
After a countdown from ten, we were off. Running up the high street was chaotic but a lot of fun. Trying to plot out a route through all the runners while keeping a decent pace up was challenging, but running up the high street with so many supporters cheering you on, including my family was just brilliant.
I Started off at a really quick pace (for me) and the first 5k came and went surprisingly fast. My Garmin watch displayed lap times ranging from 3:59 to 4:12 for the first 5k. I was really happy with this but realistically knew I wouldn't be able to maintain it for the full distance.
At about 3k in, I caught up with a mate of mine who was hoping to achieve a similar time as me of sub 45mins, so we decided to stick together for a while. This helped a lot in keeping up a good pace. However, when we arrived at the first large hill, he began to pull away and I just couldn't quite reach the same pace. Not that is mattered too much as I was happy with how I was running.
For the second half of the race, my pace did slow a little as predicted. For the second 5k my lap times ranged from 4:23 to 4:36; still a pace I was happy with. The Garmin was a huge help, allowing me to know when to up and lower my pace if needed.
I got passed the second of the three major hills in the race with no problems and knew it was flat until hill number three at about 9.5k. The route itself is lovely, running through the town, along side the beach and through a the lush little village of Penally. It also helps knowing the roads so we'll as I knew what was coming up and had time to prepare. 7km to hill number went by with no drama, but as I have mentioned, I knew what was coming up. Hill number three is a killer! And the fact it comes at 9.5km makes it even worse.
My approach was simple, get up as fast as I could. It was tough, very tough and my pace did slow here. The issue with this hill is that it is incredibly steep to start with, and when to think you're over the worst, there is a subtle gradient which keeps going and going and it drains you. What kept me going was that it was only two more corners until the home straight back down the high street.
Turning the final corner, I was greeted with hundreds of spectators all lining the the pavements. This really does give you a lift, and helped me with one last push and a sprint finish. I even managed to overtake a runner who had passed me in the hill and right on the finish line were my family cheering me on.
At about 3k in, I caught up with a mate of mine who was hoping to achieve a similar time as me of sub 45mins, so we decided to stick together for a while. This helped a lot in keeping up a good pace. However, when we arrived at the first large hill, he began to pull away and I just couldn't quite reach the same pace. Not that is mattered too much as I was happy with how I was running.
For the second half of the race, my pace did slow a little as predicted. For the second 5k my lap times ranged from 4:23 to 4:36; still a pace I was happy with. The Garmin was a huge help, allowing me to know when to up and lower my pace if needed.
I got passed the second of the three major hills in the race with no problems and knew it was flat until hill number three at about 9.5k. The route itself is lovely, running through the town, along side the beach and through a the lush little village of Penally. It also helps knowing the roads so we'll as I knew what was coming up and had time to prepare. 7km to hill number went by with no drama, but as I have mentioned, I knew what was coming up. Hill number three is a killer! And the fact it comes at 9.5km makes it even worse.
My approach was simple, get up as fast as I could. It was tough, very tough and my pace did slow here. The issue with this hill is that it is incredibly steep to start with, and when to think you're over the worst, there is a subtle gradient which keeps going and going and it drains you. What kept me going was that it was only two more corners until the home straight back down the high street.
Turning the final corner, I was greeted with hundreds of spectators all lining the the pavements. This really does give you a lift, and helped me with one last push and a sprint finish. I even managed to overtake a runner who had passed me in the hill and right on the finish line were my family cheering me on.
So, to the results:
My previous 10km best was 45:16 set at the Westonbirt 10km (another fantastic event).
My aim, as I mentioned earlier, was to go under 45 minutes for the first time.
With the weather as bad as it was, and knowing how hilly the course is, I wasn't overly optimistic about my chances.
However, my final time was 44:48, a new PB. To say that I was happy with this is an understatement, I was bloody extatic!
My previous 10km best was 45:16 set at the Westonbirt 10km (another fantastic event).
My aim, as I mentioned earlier, was to go under 45 minutes for the first time.
With the weather as bad as it was, and knowing how hilly the course is, I wasn't overly optimistic about my chances.
However, my final time was 44:48, a new PB. To say that I was happy with this is an understatement, I was bloody extatic!
Overall review:
The race was well organised with a great atmosphere. The route was excellent, with clear Km markers and three drinks stations. Results were accessible instantly at the end of the race and we were provided with a T-shirt, water and fruit at the end.
Improvements:
If I'm being picky, I would rather a medal than a t-shirt, if not both. I'm a sucker for a medal.
This was a great race and a great result for me. Next up, the Severn Bridge half marathon on 30 August. I can't wait!
Great PB time and also making me think of getting a Garmin.
ReplyDeleteWould definitely recommend
ReplyDeleteGreat work Dan, that is a huge PB!!
ReplyDelete