Tri Challenge


Race report: Bracknell Forest Runners, Forest Five

Nearly time for bed, so here are the highlights:

Location: The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell – superb facility with masses of woodland, trails ideal for running and mountain biking, adventure play area, science and nature centre and the extremely exciting looking Go Ape. Note to self: must go back there soon to swing from trees making monkey noises.

Event organisation: very slick, happy to accept entries on the day from runners of all abilities. Straightforward start, friendly marshalls, lovely finish with a bit of support to cheer us in. Goody bag sponsored by a former client, Hummingbird, containing Bracknell Forest Runners pen, Mars bar and flyers for other runs including the unusual invitation to dress up as a Gorilla and run through the streets of London. Strangely tempting.

Course: beautiful undulating trails through the forest. A few inclines and descents to keep it interesting but nothing too long and draggy. Accurate mile markers.

Performance: surprisingly good…for me. My chest felt tight for the first mile, as if I was running in mid-winter, but loosened up after a bit. Felt comfortable all the way, and was pretty steady until the last mile when I managed to lift the pace slightly. Split times:

Mile 1 – 9:17

Mile 2 – 18:30 (9:13)

Mile 3 – 27:47 (9:17)

Mile 4 – 36:58 (9:11)

Mile 5 – 45:19 (8:21)

Now scoffing chocolate after eating a bowl of pasta in the bath. I’m multi-tasking…