Meerbrook 15k

Did the Meerbrook 15k road race because the chap who organises it is real nice and always gets good photos of me in races (Mick Hall) and its in a lovely area not too far a drive away.  Some might say it wasn't the right thing to do after the problems I encounter at the European Marathon Championships but thats my choice.  race was good.  wasn't expecting Ladbrook and his band of merry men to show up but made it in to an interesting race.  Edwin and Jean were on the start line so obviosuly the race got off to a quick start.  I set off with intent that if these two were coming along they were going to have to run.  Meerbrrok 15k is not flat.  Its either up a steep hill or down a steep hill.  Mile rep times varied from 6.30pace to 4.25pace!!!  When I work out how to download data (If its possible on the model I have got) from the Garmin I can post a little more on the mile pace.
After 2 mile Edwin and I were well clear and Jean didn't seem keen on getting involved or didn't like the hills.   think both from speaking to him afterwards.  Edwin sat just on my shoulder for the first 11k and then he broke me.  I could tell he wasn't too keen on the steep downhill sections and he broke me on a short flat section before the final climb.  He got a good enough gap on me that on the final downhill he seemed to be looking back to see that he was going to win and therefore didn't have to kill himself on the downhill to the finish. Dave Norman ran this race with me last year and can confirm the times we ran are not slow but reflective of the tough course.  Edwin ran 49.15 and just missed out on breaking my CR of 49.09.  Next year I think I will do this race and try and break 49 mins!!!!
I felt ok in the race.  It was good to be running hard again after a week of steady running.
Great race Mick and his team.  Excellent atmosphere, cracking tough course and great homemade cakes afterwards.  Maybe next year Kadi can enter the childrens hill races?