The training program says 18 miles today & I've arranged to run with Richard Evans & Sue Fulbrook from the running club as well as David Anderson from the village. I have chosen a route based on Rutland Water with an extension away from 'the water' from Normanton out towards Ketton and then back to Empingham via local roads where we will once again pick up 'the water'.
Start time is 08:30 from Manton and I pick up Sue from Barnsdale and David from Empingham en-route to Manton as they plan to finish at their respective pick-up points while Richard & I complete the whole route. Just as we arrive in Manton it starts to rain lightly, which is quite a surprise as no rain was forecast for today but also good for running as it keeps us cool. Sue, Richard, & I fall into an easy pace but David seems to be struggling after the first few miles. It turns out he had rather a lot of red wine the night before and he decides to cut his run short and return to Empingham via the most direct route once we are approaching Normanton. The rest of us head off towards Ketton and then branch back onto the water at Empingham via the cross country route to the dam wall. After a quick loo stop at Sykes Lane we head off on the stretch to Barnsdale with the sun glinting off the water and a stiff wind in our faces. Richard & I leave Sue on the final hill up to Barnsdale and head off for the boring stretch along the Stamford Road towards Oakham. There are now quite a few cyclists sharing our path as The British Heart Foundation have a sponsored ride event taking place but there is enough space for all of us and we manage to hear the approach of most of them.The good news is that the Army Cadets are out in support of the BHF event and most of the gates are manned by them and opened for us as we approach.....thanks lads.
I go though a bit of a rough patch en-route for Egleton (around 15 miles in) but am soon re-energised by a gel and manage to help Richard through a similar phase (I think) as we run around the new shallow water lagoons by taking the lead and blocking the wind a little. The final climb up to Manton via the new cycle track is one hill too many but we run it slowly and finish back at the cars in 2:54:29 (or 2:49:46 if you take Richards time excluding the stops) having covered 17.95 miles according to my Garmin.
Thanks to everyone for a great run and excellent support throughout.
No comments:
Post a Comment