Chamonix Mountains

Chamonix Mountains

Thursday 2 June 2016

Roman Ramblings at Vindolanda 10k

A last minute decision to enter this new 10k on Tues morning before heading off to the Lakes proved to be both good and bad!! Perhaps doing a Bob Graham leg 4 recce across Helvellyn and the Dodds wasn't the best preparation for a 10k race, but I knew that would be the case - and that was kind of the point of it! 
The Lakes recce was done at a quick pace which felt hard because it was! (once the watch had been consulted at Threlkeld it all made more sense!). It was also unusually hot which had been slightly concealed by the wind on the high fells. All this meant that I went to the start of the Vindolanda 10k tired, with sore quads, dehydrated and sunburnt - perfect! 
The location of this new race was its appeal as well as just getting out and doing something. The sun came out for the 715pm start and as we headed off on a slight uphill gradient for the first km, I began to doubt my ability to even run at all! I had a fleeting thought of dropping out as my legs were so tired, but as we turned the corner and headed left and slightly downhill, my legs didn't mind so much. We also got out of the sun as we headed mostly downhill to around 3km. I was never going to be racing this - it was just going to be a run out, but I still found myself in & around the top 4 places.
The second half of the course was said to be hard and it was !! There was a short but steep climb up to the water station at 5km, a bit of relief then 3 severe hills taking the race to its highest point at about 8.5km. As we turned left for the final time to descend towards the finish at the Roman ruins, it was a nice feeling to be 'nearly there'. I got a nice boost seeing Polar Explorers, Conrad & Hilary, walking along the road, supporting the race, as the fort came into view. The very steep downhill as we turned right reminded the thighs how sore they were! Ouch!!! Even worse was to come, eventhough I suspected it - an nasty uphill finish which made me contemplate walking, but once I'd thought of it, it was too late as we turned in for the run into the finish. Phew!



Probably a personal worst time for me, but I was never going to be quick. In fact, no one is going to be quick on that course, regardless of whether they've been up Helvellyn the day before or not!
It was, however, a lovely venue, scenic, and it was nice to meet up with some friends.


It seems that along with Louise (above) and Maureen Parker, Tynedale was first ladies team. All in all, a good night out.