Coach Helen ran in the above race, and has filed the following report. Well done Helen!
‘Having not raced since the Brighton 10k in November and with various
circumstances meaning I will miss many of the Grand Prix races for 2011, I
thought I should enter a few races on my own. The Ashford 10k appealed being
not too far either in race distance or travel distance. I only made up my
mind to actually race it the night before and so had to hurriedly go through
my ‘pre race routine’ getting everything ready for the next day.
Felt a bit lonely when I first got there being the only Beckenham runner,
but it didn’t take too long to find some runners I knew to chat to and warm
up with.
The race itself started a 5 minute run away along a narrow country lane. The
race progressed through pretty country lanes, slightly undulating but not
too hilly until the advertised hill at 7k. This wasn’t actually that bad and
if I were to do the race again would attack it more. The final 3k was meant
to be all downhill – but it certainly didn’t feel like it!
The course is fast, attracting a good field of runners. Unfortunately, the
winds buffeting most of the south of England did not miss Ashford and the
wind was so strong that you could feel most of the way, either hitting you
from the side across open fields or directly in your face (I’m sure it must
have been behind me at some point but it didn’t feel like it!).
I finished with a chip time of 43.56, not too bad for a windy day. Would
definitely recommend for a future Grand Prix race.’
Helen
