Early on Saturday morning I completed the toughest race to date in my short running career.
Hard as Snails 10k in Guildford saw over 300 people running through the Chantries, up St Martha’s Hill and then to the top of Newland’s Corner, before running along the top of the ridge and back to the start. The run was in aid of the Surrey Wildlife Trust, an excellent cause.
This course involved over 300m of elevation gain; devices were bleeping all around me as runners pushed themselves to their maximum heart rates.
It was hard work, although the views were excellent on a crisp September morning.
I finished in 110th place out of 312 runners – despite suffering a bad stitch for a few minutes at the top of Newland’s Corner – in a time of 53:27.
Whilst not a personal best for the distance, this was much faster than I had expected to cover the hilly course and my best finish to date in terms of position in the overall field.
Here at Informed Choice, we are sponsoring and helping to organise a 5k fun run which takes place on Sunday 2nd December.
This is in aid of The Jigsaw School (Charity No. 1075464), which provides for the needs of children with autism. The run takes place at their base in Dunsfold Park, also home of the BBC Top Gear track.
If you are a keen runner or simply want to set an easily achievable fitness goal for the end of the year, please sign up today at www.jigsaw5k.org.uk and help to support this wonderful local charity.
Photo credit: Sussex Sport Photography
