Race report - Merthyr 10k

Auto-correct wants to change the name to the Merry 10k. Think that's a bit far...

I've come to the conclusion I like a 10am start, I'm far more awake and I can't taste my breakfast anymore during the warm up. Getting up an hour earlier is a struggle so, best take advantage of these ones.

So it's the weekend morning and I'm at Merthyr leisure center... parkrun time... wait no. It's Sunday. It's Merthyr 10k time. I rock up, have a chat for 10 with my former club mates (out in force, a great site) and then set off on my mile warm up.

After a canter and a further chat we made our way to the start line, mere yards away from the parkrun one and we were off. Well everyone else was off, I was not paying attention and was caught off guard, and too far back... oops, schoolboy errors!

After that a brisk downhill start got me going and I got into my stride quite well, my usual doubting in my head didn't start til later than normal and for not as long as usual! I was able to keep a pretty even pace throughout and pushed for the finish with not all that much left. Think I did it quite well.

On course I picked up far more places than I lost and it felt... fine! Good almost. The course wasn't flat, but you'd not call it anything past... bumpy. Caerphilly and 1/2 of Treforest are far worse for difficulty. This was an opportunity and I feel I took it quite well.

Perked up at the finish as the wife n kids were waiting to cheer me in which is always a boost at the end.

So how did I do:

Targets were:

Baseline:  52:51

Achievable: 48:00

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time: 46:00

and I did:


Happy camper! Can never argue with a PB, but even though I still think I can go quicker. If I can sort my head in the middle of the race, I think there's more in the tank.

Things to improve of course, basic speed is still lacking, even though light years ahead of where it was, and concentration / focus in the middle where I always seem to think I'm about to collapse even though I'm perfectly fine. I'm odd.

Suppose we'll see if I get into Swansea, that's flatter and faster!

Race Day Preview - Merthyr 10k

There are many benefits to a local race, especially one that starts at 10am. Little travel, more time in bed...

There are also downsides, as in there's not a flat 3 miles in Merthyr to have the course on!

Anyway, this Sunday, tomorrow if you will, I will be participating in my 3rd ever Merthyr 10k! Never having ran particularly well in the event!

It's a stretch of trail I've run 100s of times but this time I get to pay for the privilege! I don't think there's chip timing either...

Last year I ran it in a very beatable 52:52, slower that my Caerphilly 10k of the same year. I don't know either. I'm thinking I should be under that. The course is a little up and down, but nothing I don't know every inch of and shouldn't pose as much of an issue as say, the first half of treforest, especially as it looks like being cool/wet.

So, Targets?

Baseline:  52:51 - I'll be annoyed to go slower, even with rubbish prep

Achievable: 48:00 - Caerphilly was rough, I should be faster here 

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time: 46:00, nudge a PB? Can't see it but I'll sure as hell go for it!

No number as it's a collect on the day deal. May be my last unattached race, who knows!

Decisions, decisions...

Now I'm not exactly the perfect example of physical fitness. In fact I'm far more of a:

than:

and despite my best efforts that doesn't appear to be a'changin'.

As a result of this (and the contents of my wallet) I have to pick and choose some of my battles (races). An example of which is coming up in March. Consecutive weekends present me with the San Dominico 20 and the Merthyr Half Marathon.

Both in my home town, both attractive possibilities, both currently listed on my year to date page. However, my robust backside may not be in the shape to do both... so decision time.

If it came to it and it may come to it, I think I'll do the half marathon. It's the bigger event and I did it last year so have a time to aim for (1:58 last year, was my first race and 2nd run back from a nasty knee injury) and it's got it's own junior race for my oldest sprog to run in.

However, San Dom would be the biggest challenge.... 

Oh why organise them so close! Which will I do, stay tuned to find out!