Bure Valley 10 Miles – Sunday 1st October 2017
With my anticipated race partner – Bex Pountain – sadly injured for her second 10 mile race in a row I didn’t really have a plan for this race. I’ve found racing much harder psychologically this year and had a break over the summer to try to get my mojo back.
A PB was out of the question, so I set out to achieve gold standard in my first 10 mile race in Jags colours.
For the first few miles I tried to keep up with Howard Harper and Nick Eley, but after they opened a gap I decided to run my own race and try to enjoy the experience instead.
It was hard to enjoy the conditions just after 4 miles when we made a right turn into a stiff breeze and it started to rain. I thought back to the Mental Strength Workshop in the summer, remembered Rod Bye’s race mantra and found myself repeating “Ya-ya Tou-re, Ya-ya Tou-re” to myself, to fit in with my stride pattern. Being an NCFC fan I tried to think of a different player, but as Cameron Jerome and Wesley Hoolahan didn’t scan I settled on “Nor-wich Ci-ty, Nor-wich City”.
There was respite from the wind just before 5 miles when we made a left turn to run uphill and then I stopped and walked at the first water station to get a decent drink down me.
After running a loop we reached the second water station at about 7 miles and as I slowed down to grab a cup and walk again I was passed by Vicky Tovell.
Suitably refreshed I caught Vicky up and ran with her for a while. She was targeting sub 1:20 and as we were well inside that pace and I was feeling strong again I pushed on.
Around 8 miles the wind was a factor again (“Nor-wich Ci-ty, Nor-wich Ci-ty”), but the long straight towards the finish was mainly tree-lined and offered protection most of the way.
All of a sudden there was only 400 metres to go and I heard my name over the tannoy as I approached the finish along with “…..is being caught by….” and the tell-tale thump of running shoes on tarmac getting closer. That was enough to push me to a sprint finish and I held off the fast approaching runner behind me. He took it well and we laughed and high-fived after having the chips removed from our shoes.
There were some great performances by other Jags:
- Andy Mulligan was top Jag after benefiting from Bex’s unfortunate withdrawal
- The ever sprightly Ken Bowman achieved platinum standard
- Emma Blake held her position of first in age category 40-45 from last year, ran a PB and age category record
- Vicky Tovell also ran a PB and age category record
- Nicola Holden teamed up with Emma and Vicky to be the 1st ladies team home
Overall there was a great Jags turn out, the race was well organised and marshalled and the cake afterwards wasn’t bad either (although obviously not up to Jags standard! :-))
Phil Henry
| Name | Time | PBs | Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Mulligan | 1.06.35 | GOLD | |
| Pete Nelson | 1.08.00 | FT | GOLD |
| Nick Hudson | 1.09.24 | YES | SILVER |
| Graham Johnson | 1.09.58 | YES | GOLD |
| Tom Johnson | 1.10.15 | SILVER | |
| Lee Emmett | 1.12.23 | FT | SILVER |
| Emma Blake | 1.13.38 | YES & AGE GROUP RECORD | GOLD |
| Ken Bowman | 1.13.53 | PLATINUM | |
| Nick Eley | 1.13.54 | GOLD | |
| Nicola Holden | 1.14.08 | YES | GOLD |
| Howard Harper | 1.15.35 | FT | SILVER |
| Phil Henry | 1.16.47 | FT | GOLD |
| Vicky Tovell | 1.17.04 | YES & AGE GROUP RECORD | GOLD |
| Vikki Harper | 1.24.32 | SILVER | |
| Claire Owen | 1.32.34 | BRONZE | |
| Paul Gerber | 1.33.14 | ||
| Sharon Jones | 1.35.34 | BRONZE | |
| Clare Hicks | 1.39.32 | ||
| Stewart Marden | 1.39.31 |