Nick Beer 10k 2024

It would be the first race of 2024! I was looking forward to it. It is a nice race, as well. I like the Great Orme, and this race is practically just a loop around it. And Marjan would come supporting me. Maybe Jaco as well, but I deemed that a bit less likely.

It was only Marjan who appeared at the meeting point. We drove up and parked up. It was really cold! There was quite a cold wind on the boulevard, where the start was. I wasn't keen on stripping down to racing gear all too early. The result of that was that we arrived at the start only a few minutes before the gun sounded. And that resulted in me starting quite a way towards the back. I always intend to avoid that, but I often fail! Basically for reasons of finding it dull to just stand by the starting line for too long. If you are in a running club it's different; then it is a social occasion. But I always run alone.

At the start 

The gun sounded and we were off. It wasn't all too difficult to leave a bit further to the front. And so the started on the appeal. There was indeed quite a cold wind blowing! But it was dry, and the area looks really pretty with menacing clouds above it.

I think I managed to keep a good speed going up. Town wasn't bad either; after all, the road isn't very steep. But I felt that my world was a bit small; I think I was just feeling this train. But it was okay. The last 2 km felt a bit heavy but there's nothing wrong with that. And, quite like last year, by the time I approached the finish the field was spread out so much that no one would overtake me and I would overtake no one. And I saw my watch I was about to run and almost identical time to last year.

Finish pic

I saw Marjan at the finish! So I first came across the line, then gathered my goodies (including an isotonic drink tablet I threw in my post-finish water), and then got back to Marjan. I tried to check my time but the signal wasn't good enough. And soon after that I got there text message that gave it anyway. My time was 46:19; 13 seconds slower than last time! That's fine. But I'd come 11th this time, which was better than last year's 14th.

Finish selfie

After the race I put on some civilian clothes, and then Marjan and I went out for lunch. That was nice!

My next one is scheduled in April. There is the Anglesey half marathon coming up, but I might skip that (again) this year. It's a busy time! But this was a good start of the racing season!