The Halifax Harriers' web site http://www.halifaxharriers.co.uk/races/helen-windsor-10k.html states that their new route "eliminates the many tricky road crossings we had plus the hill at 4 miles so this should also be a faster course", so the run sounded like just what I needed after a day at work! I did suspect that it might be a bit undulating after having done the Halifax Bluebell 10 mile race earlier in the year, but describing this course as "undulating" is like describing sharks as cuddly sea mammals! It was relentless; in fact we had 236m of elevation according to Garmin. Thats like climbing 1/4 of the way up Snowdon! I can't imagine how the old course was harder, it might eliminate the hill at 4 miles but it still incorporates the hills at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 miles!
Anyway, a much depleted Team Woods consisting of just me, Sam & Alex showed up, had a bit of a warm-up jog, positioned our substitute support crew of Sam's parents (Wednesdays being Beer & Curry night for our regular crew!) and waited for the start.
There were about 200 runners, and we all set off fast down hill. Lovely! "Lovely" soon turned in to "oh god" as we rounded the first bend and saw the first hill! Up we went, made it it the top with some huffing and puffing and briefly enjoyed a downhill respite, just to meet the next tortuous incline. I could describe the rest of the course, but just repeat the previous sentence several times and you have the gist. The flattest thing to be seen was my hair, and even that was sticking up by the end! God it was hard. The weather however was kind, and whilst the clouds were threatening, they didn't spill much until we got back in the car! I was quite pleased with my time of an hour and two minutes, but overjoyed for Sam who did 47 minutes and came in as 12th woman. I'm sure she's superhuman! Alex got a very respectable 51 minutes and we all got some lovely technical running sox as a goody bag! Well worth the £10 entry fee!
This was one of those races I retrospectively enjoyed - beautiful scenery and a great atmosphere, and a fantastic feeling to finish. Will I do it again next year? Yeah I think so :-)
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