One year ago I ran this race for the first time with weather that was the tail-end of Storm Brian. I think that stuck in my mind, so when it came to preparing for this race I made sure I'd got several different layers with me to chose from depending on how the weather was when I arrived. Last years weather wasn't too dissimilar to the conditions I faced during the Chicago Marathon two weeks ago. Whilst there I'd ditched my disposable poncho before the race, so had bought a new one ahead of this race - just in case. As it happens, it wasn't needed at all.

During my drive to Thoresby Hall it was cold and misty, and I was thinking this wouldn't be a pleasant race. I'd got no intention of running fast - this was a race I just wanted to enjoy since I knew a few friends would be at this one. It would also be my third race in four weekends. Sure I've done similar before, but it's handy this time around they don't have as many miles between them.

Fortunately when I arrived I found the sun had come out, and it was already starting to warm up. Perhaps a t-shirt would be fine after all. So I went to collect my race number, queued for loos, and then decided it was now bright enough to need my #visorclub visor from Racecheck. By the time I'd collected it, I didn't have much time left.

At the start, the first group was identified as "sub-45" so figured even with an easy run it should be that, so made sure I was in position. After the brief we were off - running passed the hall and out into the fields. My pace to start with is what would be typical for one of my 10K races these days. I'd set off quicker than intended, but then started to settle back down to a more reasonable pace. I watched as runners overtook me, and I dropped back to around 12th place and stayed there for a while.

The ground for the most part on this one is hard - despite it being through a wooded area. There are areas though where the ground can get loose underfoot, and I found my feet slipping a little on my way up a hill after the first mile. Once at the bottom of that hill it was two miles over already. It's amazing how quickly a race can pass by when you're not really thinking about it. So far, with the exception of the first little bit, I had very little sense of being in the race - I was lost in thought and it was feeling like a training run with a few people around.

Before I reached that two mile point I'd started to overtake the back of the 10 mile group that had set off before us. There were more and more of them ahead of me, so I decided I'd walk for a bit, keep an eye out for some longhorn cattle, and then run again. It was at this point that I bumped into @GirlHucknall and @mutley6969uk. I talked to them briefly, but then set off running once more - I'd walked a little longer than intended and now had the opportunity to get in a little more speed without overdoing it.

After passing the sign for 5K, I then passed one for three miles. It had me confused for a minute, but then realised the ten mile start had been different, so this was a sign for them. In the time I'd been walking I'd been overtaken by a few runners, but without having realised it I'd overtaken them again. I couldn't be sure how I was doing in terms of place now, but I figured when I got to another hill I might as well walk up some of it so my legs would be relatively fresh for a mid-week tempo run.

The majority of 10K runners in front of me were so far in front I could not see them. I could see one ahead, and one behind - both far enough in either direction to feel that there wasn't likely to be much of a change in the last couple of miles. For the next couple of miles I'd walk occassionaly, but would also make progress when I wanted to. I passed Ash who was on pacing duties, and tried to quickly chat as I passed - but this was a point when I was glad to be running. Some of this route was just so scenic with the sun shining down between the trees and making the oranges and reds of the fallen leaves shine bright.

There was one Canicross runner that stopped abruptly when her dog wanted to drink water from a puddle. I couldn't blame it - it was hot! It didn't affect me, but I felt sorry for the dogs running in this. I also felt sorry for the two 10 mile runners I encountered running some of the course in reverse after they'd made a wrong turn. Paying attention to instructions and signs is important.

I was starting to edge closer to the runner in front of me after the second split point between the 10K and 10 mile runners. I thought perhaps I should push on a little harder to catch up sooner. There was just one mile to go, and some of the course was feeling familiar again. It was amazing at how many points I was thinking more of Longhorn than I was last year's Thoresby race.

Why was I thinking that though? This race was for fun, I was supposed to be holding back - what would be the point in speeding up now? I think the temptation was still there as I do enjoy pushing myself, but I needed to remind myself about my tempo training run to prepare myself for Rockingham. I could always work harder there.

This last bit was familiar - I remembered the bridge where I'd seen Nic and Emma the year before, and for a few seconds I slowed to a walk one last time. I started to run, and got ready to build up speed just as a canicross runner overtook me. I was then ready to sprint (well, I still can't resist doing that) but was struggling to pass - between the runner and the dog they were taking almost the full width of the funnel. Just before the finish the dog moved in a little and I was able to sprint passed and cross the line.

I finished this race in position 12 of 448 10K finishers with a time of 42.59. Slower than most training runs at that distance, but at least it was still sub-43. So not too bad I guess - I'd had fun, and had actually enjoyed the sun too. Target achieved.

After this race I got the medal, a bottle of water, a banana, and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. I started to tuck intot these as I headed out onto the course to cheer on my friends. So not a bad day really - I was glad to have been there. One of the most unusual things about this race is that the medal actually contains three pin badges - a female runner, a dog, and a male runner. It's novel and quite a nice idea. Well done to SBR Events for a day well done.