Post race round up from the weekends Stafford foray………..
The day dawned with drizzle & overcast as I tucked into my pre race breakfast of porridge, Banana & a Bagel chaser- would it prove too lardy a breakfast; given the previous days meagre in take.
3hrs later and in the usual last minute panic to get things together, ensure all was well with the family. I set off for my inaugural 20 miler & London prep. To date, form a bit of an unknown quantity, having taken a tumble on the ice pre Helsby and had to pull out at last minute.
After the hour or so trip down to Stafford all was well in the world, things were looking brighter & by the time we lined up it was back to shorts & vest.
The race had been billed flat (yes like the sound of that!) 3 lap race on quiet roads. As it turned out 1 x 8 & 2 x 6, the first lap seeing more hills than I'd bargained for, although that's how I remember it?
Non the less I should know runners at the best of times have rose tinted glasses! As it turned out, course best described as undulating with each lap starting with a steady long climb with a bit of a false summit.
The race itself was very definitely a no frills affair & truly low key, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, you helped yourself to water at the end, no announcer or crowds to speak of & a traditional tshirt for your efforts picked up at registration.
All in all a good training race, that did what it said on the tin and for £8.50 had I pre entered, is reasonable value these days.
Results:
1 1:48:43 112 Ben Gamble Tipton Harriers
35 2:16:37 120 Rob Gilbert Wilmslow RC
Rob.