That time of year comes around when the local, longest running event in Aberdeen takes place – the Baker Hughes ( Baker, The BH, That Beach run…. it has many names). Its great, it brings out so many runners and congregates the many running communities of the North East – every year there are more and more groups forming and testing themselves against the distance.
[wpvideo CoHfFaKw ]
I always like to get there early and on jogging to the arena, I met Ginie ( Metro Ladies captain) and Robbie. A brief hello and I kept on running, up the Broad hill….I really wish they weren’t behind me as I would have walked it but felt like I had to complete the Broadhill rep, turning at the top out of sight I could get my breath back … not the most ideal warm up 🙂
The sea of runners soon converged, with yellow and black vests (Metro Aberdeen) as far as the eye could see. There was also a great turn out from the blue of Rebel PT and the Purple of the Fit Like Joggers….even grabbed a quick hello from Dave Scott who had completed the 55 mile Cattaran challenge the day before.
A quick photo, team rally and warm up on the promenade and we were instructed to get to our starting pens – opting for the 40-44 min pen after starting too quickly last year, being left for dead. Walking to the start it was great to meet fellow runners, clients and friends – lots of supporters on the course as well.
The start came – as scripted, off like Usain Bolt. 3:57min/km for the first km, in my head I was thinking I could hold this pace as felt comfortable… I firmly believe that the race can’t be won in the first km but it certainly can be lost… TBC
The first 5km passed reasonably uneventful holding low 4’s for pace but gradually creeping up, we then got to the end of the beach where you turn towards the start of the ParkRun…the first time the wind hit. I tried to draft off a passing runner but the pace was too hot for me, I was struggling now and starting to regret the Usain-esk start.
The support around the course is one of the main reasons I always try and do the BH. There were cowbells, shouts, cheers, posters and lots of lovely cameras out there to catch us at our best.
Rounding off Seaton and onto the golf straight I could feel the pace slip and the wind seems to blow stronger when you’re in the hurt locker. Head down and blowing hard into the Links corner and the “hill”…it gets steeper every year but the marathon strength came through and helped me to finish stronger. The downhill into the finishing straight came and I crossed in 42:03…. a good day out.
Moral – Races / Times can’t be won in the first 1-2km but they certainly can be lost. Pacing is always my weakness as I feel fresh and believe I can run faster than my race plan. A plan is that, and my more consistent results come when the plan is followed.
But quickest time over that course though !! The benefits of Strava.
How did your race go? Where you happy with your time? What keeps you coming back to the BH?
Thanks for reading
Run Long and Prosper
James
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