The Stockport 10

The ice and snow of December are still with us and the world famous Stockport 10 was last Sunday, it was with this in mind that I set off for the club run on Wednesday. With temperatures around the minus 8 degree C mark and solid ice pretty much everywhere it was a slow 8 miler, pretty much tip-toeing over all the slippery patches and concentrating on not breaking my neck. Still, I always like running in the really cold weather, watching people looking at you in their cars like there is something wrong with you gives me a sort of perverse pleasure. Very comfortable, slow run in about 1 hour 15 minutes, it was more about getting out there and getting the miles in than anything about speed.




Luckily, the days from Wednesday to Sunday were a lot milder, with rain and temperatures above zero things did thaw a bit, not much (as the cows highlight) but enough to give you a chance to run properly and attempt to achieve a decent time. This is the second time I’ve ran the Stockport 10 and looking back over my blog from last year’s run (time of 1.23) It would be interesting to see how a year of relatively decent training could get me.

The race starts off with 2 laps of the athletics track before going out in the rugged (and very hilly) streets of Stockport, through track and farm lands, before two major, seemingly never ending climbs, before finishing with a half lap of the track . The support from the local people and the extremely enthusiastic marshals was brilliant, especially on such a cold day. Stockport Harriers is a very friendly club and have gone all out this year to try to build the race up and sell out it its 900 capacity, this, no doubt, was in no small part to it’s extensive teaser campaign on you-tube as to what was in the world famous goody bag this year

I started off strongly having taken the decision to dump my water belt and gel pack before I started. The 1st 2 laps are always a bit crazy trying to get past people and to attempt to maintain a steady pace. When the pack opened up, I was able to maintain around a relatively easy 7 minute mile pace, and seemed to be passing quite a few people. The lack of a water bottle (took a sip from a cup at the water point at 5 miles) didn’t trouble me, I’d taken a rehydration drink an hour or so before the race and it was cold, so I knew there was not going to be a problem. I felt strong throughout the race especially on the hills, this time last year I had to stop on the first hill as it banks off to the left and gets very steep. I was determined to conquer that this year and keep on running, it was tough but I managed to push through it and reached the top in one go.

I knew after about 4 miles that I was going to beat last year’s time and so focussed on my best time for a 10 miler at Chesterfield of 1.18 min. I’ve done a lot of running and core work since Chesterfield and feel that I may be in better shape as a result. Whatever it was, I managed to smash my previous PB and finished in 1.12.45, (the official time was 1.13.01 but that’s because there was no chip timing and I started half way down the pack) Even so, I finished (according to the official time) 179th out of 686 (Where were the missing 214 ? Blooming wimps)

It also appears that a new world record was set at this year’s race. The record was set by Lee Riley, who covered the ten-mile distance in 73:10 carrying a 40lb backpack. Lee, who spent ten years in the armed forces, is aiming to run the London marathon in under four hours carrying his backback to set another world record and to raise funds for The Soldiers’ Charity