Flintshire 10k

Race: Flintshire 10k (Mold)
Time/Position: 37.07 (7th from 495 [1st V40])
It was fairly obvious that this was never going to be a PB course: a new route which is essentially an extension of our Border League 5 miler. Perhaps best described as a fell race on tarmac, I reckon it must be close to 600ft of climbing squeezed into 3k. I thought it might suit me, and had gone surprisingly well in my first intervals session since March last Tuesday, so seemed to have some form. Given the steepness of the hill, I started conservatively from Mold then just tried to maintain the effort and keep it going for the very steep (17%?) slopes beyond Nercwys. From here, the race turns back down towards Nercwys but remains 'fell-like' with an equally steep and slippery descent. The rain got a little heavier as myself and Gary had an excellent battle throughout the run-in - couldn't quite catch the two lads in front. I started to feel a stitch developing on the fast descent, but it never became crippling as we rejoined the normal BL run-in back to Mold. I last did this race three years ago (when I also won my category), but think the new route gives it a bit of character! At the prize giving, Buckley won first team and I got first V40, despite the fact that I was three minutes slower than my PB.