Angmering Bluebell 10 miles

Jeez louise did I underestimate this race!

I’ve not really run big distances since the marathon way back in Feb , I’ve done some short runs and a few park runs but I’ve cut back on the miles and I think it showed.

It was a vest and sun hat morning! The first for a long time so had to try and keep myself hydrated. Bumped into a few friends at the start so it was nice to have a chat with them before we began. I started reasonably quickly – plodding along quite happily for a couple of miles then at about mile 3 I began to feel really pooped – not in the legs , just the body as a whole – I was hot, bothered and not really enjoying myself as much as the stunning course should have allowed me to do so – it felt like it was mostly uphill initially – which isn’t usually a problem but a few of the ups were exposed to the full heat of the sun and it was tough going – I imagined how it must be for the people who run those really hot and toasty races.

I said to myself – carry on at a slightly slower pace for the next few miles and then speed up if you start to feel better – luckily I did and after the welcome second drinks station the race was again in the woods and a little more shaded which was lovely – loads of bluebells and interesting things to look at as the course wound through the woods – At times it felt like it was just me and then at other times there was loads of runners.

Having already underestimated the undulation of this race and recalling that in the race notes it mentioned that the final hill was quite a tough one – they weren’t too wrong. It was fairly steady to start with then it got steep so plodded up – one spectator said keep going you are looking strong – I didn’t feel it at all and was very pleased to see the end the finish line at the top.

It was a lovely race despite the heat – the course was wonderful – across a lot of trails that I’d never run on before. I love running along twisty rutted woodland paths and this had them in abundance. I’d do this race again.