Ashford 10k race report

So, not quite as adventurous or glamorous as Chicago but a few TRACCies ran the Ashford 10k last weekend.

This is a race which was making a welcome comeback after a few years hiatus.  It’s one of my favourite 10k races – closed roads, a pretty fast course and lots of locals cheering the runners on.

Race conditions were fairly good with just an annoying headwind to contend with in the middle part of the race.

The race plan was to go off pretty hard and try and run a small negative split overall.  Once the race settled down after a couple of kms I found myself in the top 5 and focused on maintaining the pace ready for a push after half way.  There is a gradual incline between 6-8km which saps the legs a little and just after this point I stepped up the pace and pushed for home.  A quick glance of the watch with a mile to go told me I wasn’t going to be a million miles off a PB if I could hit the last 800m really hard.  I hit the track for the final 300m and just went “lungs out” and crossed the line in 34:57 in 5th place.  A PB by 4 seconds and first time I have ever run sub 35.  Very happy with that.  1st MV50 as well.  The track session a few days before (300m reps !) definitely helped with that finish. 

All the other TRACCies were really pleased with their races.  Jo Kemp came in at 46:34, Simon Burton finished in 49:34 and Tim Kerr couldn’t conceal his happiness at the finishing line with a 1:01:04.  It’s great to see the hard work that club members are putting in on the track on a Thursday night translating into great race times so well done everyone !!

Andy.