Nick Beer 10k

Race: Nick Beer 10k, Llandudno (Welsh 10k Championships)
Time/Position: 37.14 (32nd from 675 [2nd V45])
The first time the Welsh 10k championships have been staged in the north since Caernarfon in 2012. As such, this was a good opportunity to try to get a decent finish in my category (I won the silver V40 medal in Caernarfon, but was outside the medals both times I've done the championships amidst strong fields in the south). Conditions were trying today: a stiff and bitterly cold easterly, exactly the same as Twin Piers last month. Some big waves crashed into the Orme as we rounded it on this most scenic of 10k routes. The tailwind was some help for the steeper slopes up to the lighthouse, but this has never been a quick course for me. The long descent down to West Shore, always enjoyable with great scenery, helps regain some time but it was then back into the headwind for the crucial 7-8k section. This was hard work as a result, and the final sprint down the prom wasn't much better: so the slow time was hardly a surprise! I came second V45 in the race, but was first Welsh qualifier so got the gold medal to go alongside the 10 mile championships last March.