It was touch and go whether I actually did this race, but when I finally arrived (late) Shelly (who was working registration) had already got my entry sorted and my running vest was ready to go. So it was rude not to!!! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64730559
I knew it wasn't going to be my greatest performance so I set out with a solid plan of action. There are two big climbs between 3 & 6 miles, I'd run the 3 miles to them fairly conservatively (6:28, 6:23, 6:32) and run up them VERY easily to preserve my duff back while stretching out as much as my hamstrings would allow on the mile inbetween them (8:36, 5:59, 8:00). The last 4 miles are undulating with a steep 400m descent at 10 miles. The plan was to see how I felt here, if all was well I could push on and try to make up a few places, if I was struggling then I'd just carry on much the same.
As it turned out I was feeling pretty good after the climbs, my hamstring was a bigger issue than my back as it had complained a little on the descent at 5 miles, so I took the bull by the horns and stretched my legs out a little. Mile 7 - 5:53, I made up 6 places. Mile 8 - 5:58, I pushed on into the top 20 but there was a good gap to my clubmate ahead. Mile 9 - 5:58, no more places made up but my clubmate was getting closer every stride, if I keep this up I might just catch him. Mile 10 - BOOM!!! Before I even got to the hill which was likely to test out my hamstring a sharp shooting pain went through it and I was walking in an instant. From there to the Finish it was jog, hobble, walk while 5-6 people who I'd left in my wake came streaming past. Bugger it!!! I managed to put in a 7:15 mile, but with the descent and the Finish line in sight it could/should probably have been the quickest mile of the race.
I've got a horrible feeling that this might be the last run for a while :-( .... Better go get my turbo trainer set up!!!