Running 33:27 [3] 3.14 mi (10:39 / mi) +315m 8:07 / mi
Herod Farm - Dedcided to run the race after all. Set off and coasted up the track behind Judith, being overtaken by 1 woman. Hit the steep climb and kept Judith the same distance ahead, drawing in 2nd woman. She hopped the gate at the top instead of queueing for the style just as I caught her so I lost a few seconds. Then came the downhill which I literally jogged. Back was sore and I felt pretty unstable going downhill.
On the second climb I finally put a bit of effort into the race! I overtook all the way up and made up BIG ground on the two women ahead. By the top was about 1.5minutes behind Judith and less than 5m behind 2nd. Then coasted down the hill to the finish nice and slowly.
The man who I ran with up the hill commented 'you need to sort your downhills out!' and was disappointed to hear I wasn't actually trying to run race pace.
The marshalls told me half way round I was in 3rd and to 'dig in, she's not far ahead' - I realised I just didn't care where I was I was so happy to just be out running in a reasonably proper manner, without really damaging myself. I didn't want to be in a race with anybody and for the first time in ages was just running the race to run it.
I finished 3rd which I was more than happy with, although 3minutes 10s slower than last year but faster than my 2007 time still! By a minute and a half! Will be interested to see how much ground 1st and 2nd made on me on the last descent, I really wasn't running...
Very positive though, I think I am secretly very fit as I really was running that, not racing and when my hip is sorted will hopefully be the strongest I've ever been on hills!
Running warm up/down 3:42 [1] 0.37 mi (10:00 / mi)
Warm down jog back to the car with Jane and Elaine - Womens team winners :-)