Everyone gathered at Pontypool Park for this run that begins in the park, but then quickly leaves it for narrow foot paths, a long steep hill, a canal path with low bridges, (mind your head), then back onto narrow footpaths before heading back into the park to the finish line. In all, a full 10 km course.
There was a good turn out from Caerleon Running Club as usual and I was ready and raring to go in the dry, warm, evening sunshine.
Caerleon lined up for the obligatory pre race picture
3 - 2 - 1 Go and we were away except, silly me had forgotten to get the GPS signal on my watch, so I moved to the side of the path and had to wait maybe 15 - 20 seconds before my watch got the signal, and then I was away and I quickly caught up my original position.
Through the narrow park gate we went, having to slow right down to walking pace so that we could get through, and then there were cars parked at the side of the road, so we were limited to keeping to the pavement on that first uphill stretch, which did slow me down a little.
I did manage to get past a few people as we headed down the hill towards the dual carriageway, where again we were not allowed onto the road, (for obvious safety reasons), but I did manage to get past a few people.
Then we turned left onto a country road where I was able to get off the pavement and onto the road. After a few hundred metres this road began to climb, for quite a way, and many runners decided to walk. I was having non of that and saw an opportunity to pass a number of other runners. This is a race after all.
The course then turned onto the canal path, where I had to duck as I passed below the arched bridges, then it headed back onto the first pavement we began on and then back into the park.
With just a few hundred metres left to run until the finishing line, I spied a Lliswerry runner in front of me, and as often happens at this point in a race, the competitive side of me really came out, and I thought, " I'm having you sunshine ", and I accelerated to a point where I was slowly catching him, and then went past him. So then I set my sights on my next victim and took him too.
With just a couple of hundred metres left and I could hear footsteps behind me. I glanced behind and I could see some others who could, conceivably catch me, so I increased my speed just a little and ran through the finish line.
Glancing behind to see how close the others are
Race over, sweating profusely, and breathing very hard, I wandered over to stand with my club mates.
One of the things I love about these races is the atmosphere, with runners from every club lining the road before the finish line and, not just cheering their own club mates on but, cheering everyone on too.
I don't know exactly how many runners actually took part yesterday but, it's usually around the 500 mark, and I came through the finish in 336th place. But more importantly, I improved on my 10k PB by 20 seconds. No. it isn't much, but this course did have a big hill which my previous PB was on a totally flat course, so I felt that was a good achievement.
Miles 3 - 4 were on the hill section
And me having a laugh photo bombing this pic
There is one more league race to go, on the 1st August at Cwmbran and hosted by Griffithstown Harriers.
So now I am ready for my next half marathon which is this Sunday, 9th July, running from Pembroke Castle to Tenby and is part of the Long Course Weekend. No doubt I shall be posting a story about this early next week.
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