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!