The forecast predicted a cold but dry morning for the Goring and Woodcote 10k, similar to last year. I decided to cop out of cycling to the start and drive, partly due to the risk of ice, partly due to not wanting to get up so early but mostly because I wanted to get back quickly afterwards to be with our new house mates Molly and Honey who arrived from the sanctuary the day before. More of them in another post.

I met Matt at the start, this was to be his first 10k race and what with it’s undulations not the easiest to pace. Gun to chip timing this year, we placed ourselves nearer the back than the front then off we went. Flat for most of the first mile then down, down and down to Goring. Feeling good and (over) dressed against the wind chill I let go down here and passed quite a few runners. I was later told by one of the front bunch that there was still the odd icy patch on the road when they’d descended but I reckon all those busy feet had cleared it by the time I got there.

We started climbing at about the halfway point so I slowed down while reminding myself this was not the main climb, just a bump in the middle. I skipped the water station. My Garmin download later showed a bit under 24 minutes for the first 5km. A short descent and we were out in the open with the cold wind making itself felt though I was fine with all my layers on. We passed through a wet and muddy bit of road we’d been warned about and could soon see the junction ahead where the race turned right and gently climbed for most of the last 2 miles.

My strategy was to hold an easy but consistent pace all the way up while taking note of those who passed and seeing how many fell back behind when they realised they couldn’t keep it up. This, though unambitious, worked and I reckon I made a net gain of at least 5 places on the way up. About mile 5 and Matt caught and passed me looking comfortable and steady, I reminded him the hill went on and on but he looked fresh as a daisy as he passed a few in front and vanished round a corner to finish about a minute, and 13 places, ahead of me.

The finish came into sight and we were still climbing as we crossed it. 52:29 197/383 so about 2 minutes slower than last year but much what I expected and I hadn’t put that much effort into it so pleased enough and had fun. A chap who had spotted my Vegan Runners vest came up and introduced himself as Liam Proudlock, also vegan. I asked how he’d done and he said about 37 minutes. The results showed him as 1st MV40 and 5th overall – a rather more impressive performance than mine. I was in the car and on the way home 10 minutes later to spend the afternoon sitting with the cats 🙂