Race Review - The Loop 10k

Well that was pretty!

Today I jetted off to the hotspot which is Barry Sidings just past Pontypridd to take part in the Loop 10k. This, as I mentioned, is a mainly hill, mainly trail race which I completed for the first time last year.

One of the main things I like abnout the Loop is the level it involves the kids, it's one of very few places my 4 year old can get a short race so he feels included.

This year I had my boy in the 5 and under race (2nd place boy, 3 rd overall), and my girl in the under 11's (I think) 1km taking a minute off her best. Good start, all that was left was the old man to not keep up the standard!

So, 10:30 came around and we were off, 50 yards flat then up and up! The course has a nice 1000ft of elevation, all contained within the first 4 miles or so (then you head back down). The course is trail, nice trail, bit rocky but at no point are you wading in mud or anything. Suppose it's hard for water to gather when it's all on a slope!

I jogged off up the hill, feeling ok at the start, however with the memory of last year reducing me to walking still in my mind. The first mile came and went and I was pretty steady, not feeling it and sooner than I thought the second mile was gone too. At that point I thought, I can run this...

Fighting the odd urge, as in the mind gives up before the body does, to low or walk, I got sight of the water station, half way. Suddenly a unwarranted sense of confidence kicked on and I powered on through and up the final climbing section. I was running easily ahead of schedule...

Once you round the peak of the mountain it's time to descend.. obviously...

Now I'm a pretty poor trail runner and this is why. I started down the steep rocky trail and instant heart in mouth. I plodded down carefully, internally convinced if I so much as overstretch I'll end up dead against a rock...

I've been worse and while I was cautious on the first section today (letting people past at one point) I managed to kinda half attack pretty much all of it... no heads hit at all. Although plenty of ducking past trees etc!

So, my targets were:

Baseline:  1:00:00 - it'll be tough, but I still hope to keep it under and hour

Achievable: 58:00 - 3 mins under last year, as long as I grow a set on the downhill I think I can get here

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time: 55:00

and I did:



Very happy, much better than I expected. Maybe there's another year left in my old man legs yet...

The Loop is one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a challenge but not yet ready to do it over the longer distances (e.g. Tenby). It's well organised, has free race photos (I'll share my thoughts there again) is a nice course and is generally a good day, especially if the kids get involved too!

Race Day Preview - The Loop 10k

I love hills...

Well I don't think I do but considering the events I plan/enter, there must be a part of me somewhere deep inside that does.

This Sunday I will be in Barry Sidings, which is nowhere near Barry, running the Loop 10k for the 2nd time.

Last year it was by big reintroduction from an injury and I ran a testing course in 61 minutes and change. I hope to go better this year as while I've had a bit of a niggle over the last week, I'm in moderate/decent shape.

I'm signing up on the day, so lack a race number yet...

Also I will have 1 in the kids 100m, and 1 in the next age group up 1k. They were both drilled today and will make it to the end at least!

So tomorrow, targets are:

Baseline:  1:00:00 - it'll be tough, but I still hope to keep it under and hour

Achievable: 58:00 - 3 mins under last year, as long as I grow a set on the downhill I think I can get here 

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time: 55:00, I think it's too tough and I'll be too nervous on the knee but this is supposed to be slightly beyond me so...

The fun starts at 10am! Ponty rodents usually put on a good race so I've every confidence, now if they could arrange cloud/slight drizzle maybe?

Race Report - The Wales Marathon, Tenby

Ooooof.

That pretty much sums up the event! This was my 3rd marathon and by far the toughest run I've ever done. 1800ft of almost relentless elevation gain...

The setting is lovely, it forms part of the Long Course Weekend, but as I'm neither a particularly skilled cyclist or swimmer, I was just there for the run. I'd been warned prior about the difficultly of the route and from the outset I decided to pick my battles with the hills (brutal ones start at the 3 mile marker) to make sure I'd last the distance.

I'll never look cool...

So from the well set out start in Tenby we went and off towards Pembroke, and it didn't disappoint, what a tough course, but I was managing pace and the hills well and passed half way smack on my target (just under 2 hours). Trotting on through pembroke back towards the hills and country roads though I hit a snag. My right knee/hamstring started to hurt, allot, exactly the same as in the Merthyr Half.

I thought, long way to go lets be sensible and dropped to a walk, gave it a stretch/rub and try and walk off whatever was going on. After a slow resulting mile I tried to go, finding I was ok om the flat, but struggling either up or down hill. As a result I further picked my battles and thought carefully where I was running.

The approach worked and I got a little better movement in my knee after a while, running a whole mile at one point before the pain kicked in (must've been a rush of blood). Generally quick walking the bigger hills (stopping would have been the end I think) and jogging the flat/downs where I could.

The miles moved past quicker than I was expecting and I still thought I had a chance at a 4:30 finish (my pre-race top target) until I foolishly ran a full mile downhill 24-25 and pretty much ended any resistance I had left. Hobbling across past Tenby leisure center in the end.

The last 300 yards were quicker as I just went "stuff it" and grimaced for the crowds, finishing at most of a sprint, which I o course regretted within 40 yards the other side!

So how did I do:


Official time was 4:36!

The route is very pretty, but absolutely rock hard. The hills are rolling at best and frequently huge, bravo to the people who did that on their 3rd day. If you're looking for a challenge this is it, not one to be taken lightly at all. Despite the hurt and the heat and the sunburn (oops) I'm glad I did it. I doubt I'll ever be fit enough to consider the full weekend but I'd love too one day.

One criticism would be the water stations were a bit chaotic. The teams were working hard but couldn't produce the cups of water fast enough for the arriving athletes, also cups... pain. Gels would also be nice (good as jelly babies are). Sort that, as everyone seemed to stop pretty much at each station and I'd have saved a few minutes (although equally I was glad of the rest!)

I finished injured but happy. It has put my club session tomorrow and The Loop 10k on Sunday into considerable question however as I doubt this knee will be solid this week. Recovery times are better these times though.

Medal was decent, but no free shirt!!!! Love a free shirt