EAS Castle Combe 10k - 23 November 2008...

Distance: 10k (6.2 miles)

In a time of...
hh:mm:ss
00:35:41

Finishing Position: 3
Number of finishers: 241
Putting me in the top: 1.24%

Nervous, nervous, nervous, nervous… I dread to think how many times I said the word 'nervous' in the build up to this event. At face value it was just another race; a distance that I've ran countless times before and usually manage alright at. In reality though it was a lot more serious… On December 31st 2007, I'd set myself 2 goals for my running year, one was a sub 1:25:00 Half Marathon in 2008 (which I managed at the Godiva Half in October), and the other being to 'achieve a sub 36 minute 10k before the end of 2008'. Comparatively the 10k goal is a lot tougher than the half marathon goal was, though I know I always run well in 10k events. My 10k PB was 37:18, some way off the 35:59 target, and hence why I was so nervous… whilst I felt preparation had gone very well and I was confident I should manage a PB, it was still very much touch and go as to whether I'd achieve my goal, and this was the last '10k Road Race' event in my 2008 race calendar.

The race was to tie in with a social event for the members of runnersforum.co.uk to meet up and have a natter over some food & drink after the race. There had been plenty of talk and banter in the buildup to the event as a number of forum members from Scotland were also competing on the same day (albeit several hundred miles away in Scotland). After a lot of initial interest, the sign-up process dwindled numbers down to 6 runners from the forum and 1 supporter by the time we reached the actual event. Much attention was paid to weather forecasts and whilst the prediction of snow faded, strong winds were to remain. Of course this just added to the pre-race nerves!

Race day morning soon came, and a light dusting of snow had fallen. After having my usual porridge breakfast and packing everything ready to go, I set off to pick up to fellow club members and forumites, Pete and Ros. The weather on the drive down to Castle Combe was constantly changing, though it always remained 'less than desirable' with the sky darkening at several points in the journey as thick heavy clouds passed over.

We arrived at the Castle Combe race circuit and the rain was absolutely lashing down, combined with the strong winds I couldn’t see how a PB would be possible, it really was terrible weather. Though thankfully, once Pete had braved the weather to collect race numbers and goody bags, the rain began to subside and we were able to start getting ready. A trip over to the toilets and I bumped into another few runners forum members, in no time at all we had the full group of runners forum members amalgamating around the side of a toilet block – how nice! Upon realizing this we soon dispersed to change into race kit and wait for the race start.

This was it, I stripped off my extra layers down to my vest, shorts and gloves... the race organizer gave some brief race instructions and led us towards the start line a few hundred metres away. I used this as a chance to carry on warming up, with some short bursts of speed to get my heart rate up (as if my heart wasn't pounding enough with all the nerves and excitement!). We lined up on the start, and I heard a guy standing behind me mentioning he'd managed 34mins in last year's race – I couldn't help but wonder why he was stood behind me!

I can't remember if it was a gun, horn, siren, man shouting or what, but anyway the race started. Two guys shot off ahead, no way would I be staying with those guys; another guy started to follow – obviously a regular gym-go'er bounding along with bulked up muscles, thick silver chain bouncing up and down his neck and listening to his mp3 player, though obviously not a regular racer and soon dropped back. Within the first several hundred metres I'd found myself in what felt like a strong steady pace, I'd passed a few men and ran alongside to others when it suddenly dawned on me that I was running with these other two men for 3rd 4th & 5th position! If I'm honest it made me panic a little, wondering if the adrenaline was getting the better of me and I was starting too fast… what if I didn't slow down? Would I regret it later in the race? If I did slow down would I still reach my sub 36min target?

I decided to continue as I was, and put a few paces between myself and the other two runners, they soon closed the gap and so I decided to shelter behind them knowing that we'd soon be running into a headwind. I was starting to think that perhaps my target time didn't matter? For once I was actually racing for a place on the podium! We hit the headwind at around 3km like a brick wall; it tied up exactly with a gentle incline that combined with the headwind was incredibly draining. I sensibly sheltered behind the two other runners though I felt as if we were slowing – we really were starting to slow down so I decided to sacrifice my shelter and push on in hope of gaining both 3rd position, and my target time.

From this point on I was virtually on my own… the second lap came and I felt strong and pushed on. 1st and 2nd position were dots in the distance and I refused to check over my shoulder to see where the chasing runners were – I've found it really de-motivating if I do this so try not to. Some strong crosswinds and really strong gusts of headwind made the running alone rather difficult. As I came around to start the final lap I was feeling quite strong physically, and very strong mentally – I was secretly smiling to myself at what a success the run had been so far, even if several people overtook me and I didn't make my goal. I started to catch the tail end of the field to go a lap ahead and it lifted my spirits further. I pushed on with half a lap to go and caved in to looking behind as I came round a corner; I couldn’t see where the 4th place was so knew as long as I kept running I'd got 3rd place in the bag – the only unknown now was my finish time.

I overtook someone dressed as an energizer battery, I couldn’t help but smile and wish him well for the rest of the race – I'm surprised he hadn’t been blown away in such a big costume! Heheh.

I prepared myself for the final time to tackle the headwinds and steady incline towards the finishing straight, as each gust of wind tried to slow me down I felt stronger and even more determined and pushed harder and harder, I left the track and headed down the pit-lane with tired legs starting to hurt somewhat. This was the biggest moment of my running year – Having run without a watch I had no idea what my time was, other than that I'd ran my heart out and done my best, I knew that as soon as the finish line was in view, the timing clock would also be within view. "Please say it's under 36mins and with enough time to reach the finish… I'll sprint if I have to!!!"

That long right handed corner into the pit lane seemed to last forever, but then I saw the finish. The timing clock was a little far away but I could make out I said 35mins and something… a few steps later I saw 35:27. YESS!!!!! I maintained a strong speed without a sprint finish and threw my arms in the air in pure delight as I crossed the line. I was so unbelievably happy. At this point I felt I should probably stop running as I crashed into the barrier used to funnel the finishers.

A finisher's trophy, some quality street, and a lovely sports drink were received with great thanks as I wondered what to do with myself! Another runners forum member (Granty) who I wasn't aware would be at the event came over to congratulate me, which was a most pleasant surprise!

I walked back up the course and cheered forum members Trinity and Ed in, before walking back to the finish to meet them and cheer the others home. A fantastic performance by all, and in next to no time the first set of results were up on the wall – there it was, in black and white – 3rd Richard Simkiss 35:41. Also Trinity had managed to take the 3rd female spot – a truly fantastic performance from her as well – as more results were published people were celebrating either PBs or otherwise fantastic results.

As the presentation of trophies was made I could feel myself getting a little emotional inside at the thought of how far I'd come since I started running – I accepted my trophy and a number of goodies with a huge smile. Yes I know that tougher competition would normally have denied me 3rd place, but that wasn't going to spoil my enjoyment of the day.

Best race ever… (At the time of writing) ;)