Runner's World Trailblazer Series - Forest of Dean 10k - Race Report

This morning I ran my first ever 'off-road' event! Being sponsored by Runner's World, the race was well signed, well organised and a generally positive experience. Public support was sporadic and the course was perhaps not the best for a PB, but very scenic. Given the undulation and the wind, I set myself a modest target of 42:00 and went about enjoying the experience.

The whole pack of around 700 runners was split into several modestly sized waves, giving runners plenty of elbow room right from the off. I was in the first wave. Before the gun, we were guided through a warm-up sequence by an enthusiastic aerobics instructor. Then we sauntered over to the starting area and heeded a few instructions before setting off to a lo-tech 'three, two, one, GO!'.

I found myself right among the leaders at the start. A few runners got way too giddy and sped off. I looked down at my Garmin: we were cruising along at sub 6-minute mile pace. No thanks! I eased off the gas a little. As it happened, I would see a few of those giddy runners looking decidedly less enthusiastic later on.

I knew the first couple of miles were downhill, so I didn't take it too easy. The first mile whizzed by in 6:12, but I was happy with the pace, and -- perhaps most importantly -- so were my lungs! The downward slope continued along beautiful wooded trails, and I clocked another quick mile: 6:18. I had accepted that the chances of a negative or even split were slim.

A few hundred yards ahead, a long ascent started to come into view. As we began to climb, the pace immediately dropped. Despite hardly flying myself, I started to pass a few other runners. Mile 3 took 6:49 and I was starting to flag, but the climb went on relentlessly. In actual fact, the hill lasted about 1.25 miles and rose by just over 200 feet, but it felt longer and steeper (as these things inevitably do!). At last, about half way through mile 4, we were greeted with a gentle downward slope -- I was happy not to push it and to concentrate instead on getting my breath back. I clocked that mile in 6:44.

I did a few mental sums and realised that, thanks to my speedy start, I wasn't far off a sub-40 finish. Unfortunately, mile 5 involved another modest but lengthy climb. Not enough to stop me in my tracks but just enough to take the wind out of my sails! I passed another couple of runners on the way up -- maybe my new, hilly Sunday route was paying off, I thought. Clearly I spent too much time thinking and not enough running, as my slowest split time limped by in 6:55.

Mile 6 was up and down. I tried to compensate for my last split time but quickly tired. The marshals started to chip in with 'last bit!'. That depends on your definition of a bit, I thought! To my satisfaction, I had pulled it back a little. Mile 6 passed by in 6:39. Just a few hundred yards to go! The course led us onto an open, uneven field and I was absolutely battered by a stern wind. Nice way to finish a challenging race! I dug in and pushed for the finish line. Done! I looked down at my Garmin: 40:18 - nice! Smashed my target time! What's more, I hadn't run a 10k since 2010 and had knocked almost 2 minutes off my previous PB! Give me a bit of flat tarmac and that sub-40 will be mine! ;-)


Distance: 10km (Garmin: 6.11 miles)
Time: 40m 17s (Garmin: 40m 18s)
Avg pace: 6m 29s (Garmin: 6m 36s)
Position: 11 of 558 (putting me in the top 2%)

Official results here and my Garmin data here.