After much deliberation about how I was going to run this (with two more races over the next 2 weeks)I finally found myself on the start line with a plan. Decided to run the first 30km in touch of the 3:30 pacers, and then depending how things were then, either kick for a PB, or ease off and save my legs for the Dukeries Ultra in 2 weeks. Then I started running. My calves were tight, and my shins were in agony for the first 8km or so. The crowds were annoying me, the tarmac was annoying me, and it was everything I hate about big road races. Was just about to resolve to never leave the trails again, but then things started looking up. The pain in my legs eased as I warmed up, and having dropped way behind the 3:30 pace group it was all a lot less claustrophobic. I started to take in the atmosphere a bit, and there was plenty of it, kids shouting and high-fiving, a man on a Penny Farthing, bands playing in pub car parks, and the odd cowbell or two. All of a sudden I was enjoying the race, and stopped missing the quiet solitude and open space of the trail races I'm used to. At 16km I spotted the 3:30 pacer a hundred yards ahead, and edged into the group of 3:30 chasers. It was crowded, and getting water from the aid stations was tricky, but running in the pack helped stop me doing anything silly, and it was easy to just switch off and coast through the next 14km. Running through Altrincham was brilliant, would have been a good day to burgle a house there as I think everyone was out cheering and supporting the runners which was amazing. I hit 30km and felt good enough to give a little kick, and eased my way out of the pack which was good, and started picking people off from there. Nobody passed me from that point which was great, and I kicked again at 37km for a strong finish. Most of the last 5km was a blur, people were shouting my name as I went past which was confusing until I remembered it was on my number, and I selfishly got a boost from every runner I passed. Coming into the finish chute outside Old Trafford I gave it everything I had left, making up about another 10 places and ruining everybody's photos. Then I got my (massive) medal, shiny blanket and banana and spent the next 20 minutes looking for my car. Checked the results when I got home, and my 3:26:03 was enough for 775th, as well as taking 8 mins off my PB at Preston last year. I have a LOT of trail races to run this year (including 5 marathons in 5 days in November), but the atmosphere and the PB today were more than enough to convince me to enter the ballot for London on Monday.
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