Llandudno 10mile

Right at the top of Wales made this a bit of a trek to get to the day before and then getting back, I soon missed the M4 after an hour of winding single roads which went on for another few hours. It was quite blowy the day before driving up but when I woke up Sunday it was worse! Now I am quite used to winds living right by the sea but this was another level but it was the same for everyone and I went for a little jog before breakfast on a very dangerous road but as it was so early it was quiet and I managed to make it back alive.

After breakfast I went to the race to get my number and vest as I was running for South Wales and then sat in the Welsh Athletics van by the start line to keep warm and listen to the radio until about 40miuntes to go. The start and finish was right on the seafront and on the warm up going one way I was flying and the other barely moving so times already went out the window and with the plan of a tempo 10miler it was just about effort and if I was close to a win with a mile or so to go I was allowed to push it.

There was a delay of around 30minutes with the barriers being blown over out on the course so another run to the van and a second warm up later we got ready to go. We ran off and a kenyan went to the front and I thought 'lovely job' and tucked in. First mile into the wind was 5.40 so didnt bother looking after that and just went off effort, it felt really easy the first 3miles and thought I do steady runs harder than this but there was no way I was going to the front. The kenyan kept telling me to come to the front but kept getting a sharp 'no' in return.....swerving down the roads. Afan Humphries was also with us but after a smile from the kenyan as he turned around he squeezed the pedal and we dropped Afan but it didnt feel that fast so just went with it, think it was about 4.40.

As the miles past he started to get a bit more worried but I still felt really comfortable. At 7 miles he started to puff a bit so I thought id make a little move to see what he had and as we got to 8miles there was a hill so I just pushed on and he fell off for a few seconds and then caught me by the top but he took a while to change pace. Then at the top I went back behind him to wait for the last mile on the prom. As we went through 9miles I could see the finish so just kept winding it up and we were side by side, I was starting to think he might have a good kick but with 400m I floored it and got the gap which I held to the finish.

Happy to win my first Welsh gold and to win overall, some top runners have won the race in the past so nice to add my name to it. got the session I wanted done which made to long, long drive home a bit more bareable.

simx