Village Bakery half marathon

Race: Village Bakery half marathon, Wrexham (North Wales Championships)
Time/Position: 1.19.09 (37th from 1016)
Back to this old course for the sixth or seventh time: fortunately there were no problems this year with confused marshals (2014) or angry farmers (2012)! Perfect conditions this morning, which was lucky as I was recovering from a very bad cold and knew I didn't have sufficient distance in my legs having prioritised short races over winter. I took the only possible approach, which was a steady 6 minute/mile pace. Started off in a little group with Chris from Buckley, running the first short four mile loop at about 5.45 pace, which I deemed a bit too quick for me at the moment. I dropped the pace slightly, down to 6 minute pace, glad of the crisp, clear conditions as the route heads out into the quiet lanes towards the border. I needed a couple of gels but was rather surprised to feel relatively comfortable after going through 10 miles just under the hour. Ended up 90 seconds slower than my PB (recorded on this course three years ago), which was satisfying in the circumstances. And although I was well off the pace in the Veterans categories (a very strong field), I did win the V45 category in the North Wales Half Marathon Championships - to go alongside the V40 title won on the same course in 2013.