Race Report – Essex 20 mile – Sunday 9th March 2014

Sunday the 9th of March was here and this was my big test to see how well I was doing in my marathon preparations by running in the Essex 20 race.
After all the rubbish weather we had been having my jinx seemed to have returned today, with temperatures being the hottest of the year so far!
I met my fellow DRR, Angela Parker, just before the start time and we made our way to the start.
The start of the race was quite slow due to narrow roads and running with over 400 others. However after a mile i managed to find a bit of space and start running at my own pace.
This was a 3 lap race and so the first lap was interesting as you knew you would be coming back again 2 more times! It was a good route though with only 1 hill of any significance, and even a bit of single track.
After lap 1 I was feeling pretty good, and making sure I drank plenty and even had a shot bloc.
Lap 2 was completed and I was still feeling pretty good, although a lot warmer than after the first!
The final lap was the toughest but I managed to use a couple of fellow runners as pacers and this kept me going. The hill on the final lap felt like it had become twice as steep but I made it without walking once. The final 2 miles were the toughest as I found these to be the least interesting of the course. Come 19 miles my calf started to cramp but I made it to the finish in 2hrs 51.38. I was well happy as I beat my previous 20 mile time of 2 hours 57. If I can run at that pace for another 6 miles then I will be laughing come marathon day….if.
Angela ran a very respectable 3hrs 43.
Despite the lack of official medal, goody bag, chip timing, or any frills at all actually, it was still a good race.

By Jon Wiles

 

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