Chase the Train 2016
Sunday turned out to be a hot day! We got to Alysham station with just under an hour till the race start and the station car park was pretty much full. Plenty of runners already about at registration and warming up.
Registration was located in a room just off the platform and picking up race number and timing chip was quick and seamless. Chip timing was being used for the first time this year.
After a little preparation and to help Mel out with the girls and Robert I made my way to the start line with everyone else for the race briefing which was a few minutes before the start. This year the Bure Valley Railway had put on an extra train for the runners to return on. The runners had a 10 minute head start on the Train, for me this wasn't going to be enough to beat the train. 20 minutes and I may have stood a chance.
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Once the race started you could hear a chorus of bleeps as everyone started their watches and you have the initial sprint across the car park before the slow procession to the main road where the traffic had been stopped to allow the runners to cross.
Once onto the path it does widen so you can easily begin passing your fellow runners. This was good for me as saved me going off too quickly and I was able to settle into a comfortable pace. I was mainly using this as a training run for Staffordshire and also the chance to see how my ankle has recovered from the London Marathon. Good news so far is no pain or swelling so whatever niggle I had has finally settled down.
The first half of the route is sheltered from the wind and is all in the sun so over heating was a factor I'd not considered and was surprised how hot i was getting. The pace was good though and the first water stop at 3 miles was very welcome. The train caught up with me around here and was good to see the Mel, Amy, Sophie and Robert as they passed.
The path switches to the other side of the railway line at about half way and thankfully onto the shaded side of the track. A welcome rest from the sun. My pace was starting to drop a little at this point and I wasn't intending to push myself too much but just maintain a consistent pace.
The second water station appeared and I stopped to take on plenty of water which did make me feel loads better and I continued on at the same pace. From the 6 mile point to pretty much the end the path is gradually climbing and it seems to be never ending and you kind of long for a downhill section for variety. There were a few spectators cheering and a few walkers on the path enjoying the sun. I was pretty hot now and was running with a couple of others and sharing the odd joke about the never ending (slight) incline.
Then the last road to cross happens with a mile to go and I was able to pick up my pace nicely for a semi decent sprint finish where I did manage to pass a few people. Mel and the kids were waving me in at the finish. Pretty pleased with my time of 1:14:18.
You get a medal on crossing the finish then straight to the water station for hydration. I met up with Mel and we hopped onto the return train to Alysham at 2pm and there were still a fair few runners on the course.
Registration was located in a room just off the platform and picking up race number and timing chip was quick and seamless. Chip timing was being used for the first time this year.
After a little preparation and to help Mel out with the girls and Robert I made my way to the start line with everyone else for the race briefing which was a few minutes before the start. This year the Bure Valley Railway had put on an extra train for the runners to return on. The runners had a 10 minute head start on the Train, for me this wasn't going to be enough to beat the train. 20 minutes and I may have stood a chance.
Once the race started you could hear a chorus of bleeps as everyone started their watches and you have the initial sprint across the car park before the slow procession to the main road where the traffic had been stopped to allow the runners to cross.
Once onto the path it does widen so you can easily begin passing your fellow runners. This was good for me as saved me going off too quickly and I was able to settle into a comfortable pace. I was mainly using this as a training run for Staffordshire and also the chance to see how my ankle has recovered from the London Marathon. Good news so far is no pain or swelling so whatever niggle I had has finally settled down.
The first half of the route is sheltered from the wind and is all in the sun so over heating was a factor I'd not considered and was surprised how hot i was getting. The pace was good though and the first water stop at 3 miles was very welcome. The train caught up with me around here and was good to see the Mel, Amy, Sophie and Robert as they passed.
The path switches to the other side of the railway line at about half way and thankfully onto the shaded side of the track. A welcome rest from the sun. My pace was starting to drop a little at this point and I wasn't intending to push myself too much but just maintain a consistent pace.
The second water station appeared and I stopped to take on plenty of water which did make me feel loads better and I continued on at the same pace. From the 6 mile point to pretty much the end the path is gradually climbing and it seems to be never ending and you kind of long for a downhill section for variety. There were a few spectators cheering and a few walkers on the path enjoying the sun. I was pretty hot now and was running with a couple of others and sharing the odd joke about the never ending (slight) incline.
Then the last road to cross happens with a mile to go and I was able to pick up my pace nicely for a semi decent sprint finish where I did manage to pass a few people. Mel and the kids were waving me in at the finish. Pretty pleased with my time of 1:14:18.
You get a medal on crossing the finish then straight to the water station for hydration. I met up with Mel and we hopped onto the return train to Alysham at 2pm and there were still a fair few runners on the course.
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