“Don’t worry, Lesley, you can follow me” and we promptly lost Lesley and her two passengers, Phil and Chi Chi, as Jay and Teresa were talking too much in our car.  Well, I blame them anyway!  Worried for most of the way down to Malvern that we had ruined their race, when we saw them coming in the opposite direction as we tried to find the race car-park.

The severe weather warning for wind and gales had clearly missed us all, and as we got out of the cars, layers were quickly replaced and there was much muttering about what this meant for the race ahead.

In a first, there was no queue at the ladies’ loo! … although we did meet a shady looking Ed waiting there too.  I also met Dave Harte in the portaloo queue.  (Yes, I ensure I use every sanitary facility that is available to me!)  A total of 8 Harriers – with 6 of us concerned about the wind.

The race itself is ok – I have been spoiled with the Lakeland Trails series so nothing is ever going to be pretty for me ever again! – some nice countryside, but too many narrow pavements for my liking. I started off fast (for me) and managed to maintain an average pace of 8:45ish for the first ten miles – that’s really fast for me, especially after my mile time trial yesterday!  And then the wind hit.  Three miles, pretty much uphill, into the wind really took their toll.  Chi Chi and I managed to keep each other going but I have never been so pleased to realise that the end was in sight, nor so annoyed that I had to run up another slight incline into yet more wind!

I found it hard today – as I think most of the others did – but feel pleased with what may be a sub-two. (Julie – you can pay me later for that one!)  Ed and Dave had long finished with Ed getting a new M55 club age record and also Jay came in with a huge chunk of his previous best at 1:53. I think that’s half an hour off his last half?  Teresa and Phil both looked glad to be at the end, and Lesley finished strongly, having supported another less fortunate runner who needed medical help.

Legs are now stiffening up nicely and shoulders are a lovely shade of pink.

Kelley

Full results here