RACE RUNDOWN: Bayer 10K

With this particular event taking place in my home town, I didn’t need to hesitate to enter this 10K. I had heard great things from friends and fellow runners about this race and as it takes place over the May bank holiday weekend, why not head home for it!

Bayer 10K is organised by Newbury Athletic Club, with the sponsor being UK science researchers, Bayer. The race draws in around 1000 applicants, who gather in the market place for the start of this part road/part trail 10K.

Now, make note of what I just described this course as. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is a smooth sailing run. What you will experience is plenty of undulating parts combined with road, field, trail and towpath running. Sounds like a right mix I know, but it really is a fantastic, varied course.

The very beginning takes you down the town centre where you take a left turn and head up the hill alongside Bayer HQ. This hill looks steep but I didn’t find it too challenging to get up. This also is the only major incline in the race so its good to get it out the way.

Next you head up narrow residential streets (with some rather nice houses to gawp at) to a field, which I found rather random. This part was most knackering as the grassy terrain was a little uneasy underfoot and was on a slight hill. This however doesn’t last too long and then you are out by the Newbury Bypass.

You then head across a bridge over the dual carriageway and take a secret hidden turn (which in the 18 years I lived in Newbury, I never knew existed!) down a very steep track. From here on, you are in trail running mode. I’ve never done a trail run before so this was a shock to my system and I felt wiped out when I reached the 5K mark.

After a good two miles running along rocky, muddy terrain you then pop out by the town’s leisure centre and you are back on road again (phew!). This takes you back out to the town centre where you are greeted by a wall of whoops and cheers before you turn back on yourself up towards the towpath along the canal.

As I always like to say, when it comes to races along a canal, make sure you get all your over-taking done beforehand as the paths can get very narrow and you do tend to fall into single file running.

At this point, I was shattered and I could tell I wasn’t having a good race. It was also a very hot day and there weren’t as many water stations along the course as I expected (one at mile 2 and one just after 5K). Dehydrated, exhausted and quite honestly, irritated at my weakness, I began to feel rather ill and could have quite easily dropped out at the 8K mark. However, after seeing my best friends mum standing by a bridge along the canal, her encouragement and compliments spurred me on and I, rather slowly, carried on up the path. When we reached the end of this part, we looped round onto a long main road, which lead us back to the town centre. I have never felt so relieved to see a finish line and I managed to find some speed in my legs to churn out a mini sprint finish.

As soon as I crossed the finish line, I had this automatic thought that I hated this course. It wasn’t until I had collected my medal, spoken to fellow runners and recovered from the experience that actually, it was a really fun event. Not once did I feel bored along the way and finding it so challenging has made me want to return to try and smash my time from this year.

For a small local event, it was great to see organisers handing out medals and goody bags. Personally, I also had a fabulous day out with my running pals. Here is a snap shot of how I felt at the end (with my best friend). This photo sums up a good vibe, despite my feelings throughout the race.

Any setbacks? Not really. As with smaller races, toilets are limited and in this particular case, non-existent. However, nearby restaurants and coffee shops are welcoming to runners using their loos and everywhere you go there is friendly, helpful face. If there was any feedback that I would like organisers to consider, it would be adding an extra water station before the canal. If, like this year, it’s a hot day hydration is key and I personally did struggle not having a quick slurp of water after the halfway mark.

RACE OVERVIEW

Course: 3/5

Scenery: 4/5

Facilities: 2/5

Water Stations: 2/5

Medal & goody bag: 5/5

My time: 49.31 (May 2014)

LIPSTICK RUNNER'S OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5

Find out more about Bayer 10 HERE.


Lipstick Runner.

KIT PICKS: If the shoe fits, don’t ever change it!

When I first started road running three years ago I wasn’t too fussed about what I wore on my feet. In fact, when I went to my running club for the very first time I wore a pair of bulky Adidas trainers that had been stuffed away in a cupboard for a good few years. When I eventually decided to invest in a pair of new running sneaks, I opted for ASICS Gel Nimbus 14 and still to this day, I have no idea why.

ASICS is a brand I love. In my teens, I always wore ASICS spikes so I think that’s what drew me to the Gel Nimbus. I also liked the idea of extra cushioning and they looked quite snazzy. What I didn’t factor in was whether they were the right shoe for my running style. In case you were wondering - they weren’t.

I trained for my first half marathon in the Gel Nimbus and what a ball ache it was. Every time I ran (whether it was a parkrun or the Wiltshire 10), I would hobble over the finish line with numerous blisters burning on the inner sides of my feet. The outer side of my feet also KILLED! The feeling when running really got to me and when it finally came round to running the half marathon, I last minute ditched the ASICS and opted for the decrepit Adidas pair, which on race day were just as horrendous.

So by this point, as you can imagine, my feet aren’t looking great and after feeling like I got my money’s worth with the ASICS, I popped to Sweatshop and did a gait analysis and was prescribed a neutral road running shoe. I had the choice of an ASICS pair (the exact name escapes me) or the Mizuno Wave Rider 16. The latter felt like a lightweight dream (and looked pretty) so 45 minutes later and £100 down, I left the shop with my new trainers.

I haven’t looked back since. I absolutely adore my Mizuno’s. No blisters, no aches and a series of PB’s came with these bad boys. They offer moderate cushioning in a weightless frame and the Wave technology provides protection from impact to allow for a smoother run. They also have plenty of ventilation to remove any signs of heat and humidity.

Just over a year later, I am still living in these beauties but they are starting to look a little worse for wear (as you can see below). Will I be opting for a new pair of Mizuno’s? Hell yes! In fact, I already have. I managed to find the exact same pair on Achilles Heel for £70, which I am super chuffed about!

Now I know how I run in Mizuno and how they feel on my feet, investing in a new pair of trainers could not be easier for me. I am a Mizuno wearer through and through (on my feet at least) and thrilled to have a squeaky clean new pair. I haven’t forgotten about my ASICS though. Due to the Mizuno’s being designed for road, I can confirm they don’t bode well for trail races (as I discovered at Bayer 10K a few weeks back). My ASICS however, might just be a good option if I ever decide to opt for a trail run. I’ll just have to make sure I wear extreme blister proof socks! 

If you are reading this and new to running, I recommend two things when it comes to finding the perfect pair of trainers:

1. Be patience
2. For Pete’s sake, do a gait analysis!

Lipstick Runner.