Annual Club run roon the Vale and as handicapper by default - no-one else is interested - gave myself 33 minutes, 10 seconds slower than last year. No idea how I would fare but decided to run by heart rate rather than the usual eyeballs out and hang on as long as possible. Target was to keep it over 160 bpm and see how it went.
Nearly missed my start time due to an ill timed short warm up and threw off fleece, gloves and tried to start 2 watches all at the same time as the starter said go.
Kept my eye on the HR and soon at 158, tried to keep at the same effort level to let it catchup and sure enough by the next glance it was 162, pushed down the hill past the school and onto the cycle path and tried to keep the effort nice and even relying on the "right" pace to catch those in front.
Jamestown road was into the wind but gradually catching up with 2 or 3 of the runners in front. Caught a stitch and lost some pace while stretching it out but soon back on track and managed to pick a couple off on the run towards Balloch roundabout.
Running back towards the Vale and the HR drops below 160 again as my mind drifts to next weeks Highland Fling race, back to the present and raise the effort levels again and soon back up to 164, closing in on the next runner but footsteps behind as well as the faster runners catch up, one passes along Middleton St try to stay with him but he kicks hard on the way past, relax and keep a steady effort.
Soon back onto the main road towards the Club and push the pace, overtaken but kick and catch him on the line...finish in 33:01, only 11 seconds slower than last year, ave HR 163 bpm.
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