From Icarus to Phoenix - all part of the plan...
After feeling so out of sorts the last few weeks, culminating in the ‘race too far’ at Wing XC, I’d made the decision to take a very easy week, which meant no speed-work and no Stevenage 5k Series Race 2 tonight. Seeing that conditions were much improved from Race 1, I almost toyed with the idea of doing it, but instead gritted my teeth, looked at the big picture and went to watch and cheer on my club-mates.
This was of course the right and sensible thing to do, but watching several of my Squirrel friends run about 30s faster than 2 weeks ago proved quite difficult viewing and left me in a self-pitying what-might-have-been mood. I should own up and admit that I am rather good at that sort of thing! Sincere congratulations to Pete 'born-again' Sibbett for smashing the MV45 5k Club Record - it couldn't have happened to a better man, well almost!
Anyway, enough magnanimity, the plan of course, is to come back refreshed, re-focused, re-educated…re-made. At times like this, you have to turn to the classics to find the right words.
“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first V-bionic-45 man. Statto will be that man. We can make him better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster."
Follow my attempts to defy the ageing process with the help of my friends at North Herts Road Runners
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Monday, 23 November 2009
Three Counties XCL race 2 – Leighton FR (Wing) 22/11/09
Listless at Leighton
I had failed several times of late to complete a training session. I have also felt tired and/or ill during a couple of easy runs. My recent efforts at the Stevenage 5k and St Neot’s HM, whilst producing respectable results, were achieved despite this background and so had taken a lot out of me.
So unsurprisingly, I had a bad feeling about this race. In fact, a race was the last thing I really felt like doing. I went to bed with a sense of foreboding and woke up Sunday morning seriously contemplating giving it a miss. Nonetheless, in the interests of Team NHRR, I found myself at the start line in the rain, feeling cold and unenthusiastic. This was not unlike my mood at the start of the wet and windy Stevenage 5k, but this time things did not improve once the race actually started.
After the lap of the field, it was clear that my legs were not fully co-operating – they felt strangely light and lacking in power. I decided to reduce the effort just to get around. I did try to up the effort several times during the race, but in a manner depressingly reminiscent of Bearbrook 10k in August, my body was just not interested in changing gear. My average HR for the race in fact equated to my normal half-marathon effort. It’s worrying that that is all I could muster for a XC race of less than 5 miles.
A crestfallen Statto ponders where it all went wrong with the help of his new coach >>>>
My finishing position was 33rd, a depressing fall from 17th in the first race. Fortunately, the team overall performed well, with another Overall 3rd place (men 3rd, Women 4th). That leaves us 3rd overall after 2 of the 6 races.
Overall positions after 2 races
I had failed several times of late to complete a training session. I have also felt tired and/or ill during a couple of easy runs. My recent efforts at the Stevenage 5k and St Neot’s HM, whilst producing respectable results, were achieved despite this background and so had taken a lot out of me.
So unsurprisingly, I had a bad feeling about this race. In fact, a race was the last thing I really felt like doing. I went to bed with a sense of foreboding and woke up Sunday morning seriously contemplating giving it a miss. Nonetheless, in the interests of Team NHRR, I found myself at the start line in the rain, feeling cold and unenthusiastic. This was not unlike my mood at the start of the wet and windy Stevenage 5k, but this time things did not improve once the race actually started.
After the lap of the field, it was clear that my legs were not fully co-operating – they felt strangely light and lacking in power. I decided to reduce the effort just to get around. I did try to up the effort several times during the race, but in a manner depressingly reminiscent of Bearbrook 10k in August, my body was just not interested in changing gear. My average HR for the race in fact equated to my normal half-marathon effort. It’s worrying that that is all I could muster for a XC race of less than 5 miles.
A crestfallen Statto ponders where it all went wrong with the help of his new coach >>>>
My finishing position was 33rd, a depressing fall from 17th in the first race. Fortunately, the team overall performed well, with another Overall 3rd place (men 3rd, Women 4th). That leaves us 3rd overall after 2 of the 6 races.
Overall positions after 2 races
Combined Team | Points | Score |
---|---|---|
Wooton Road Runners | 26 | 279 |
Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers | 24 | 344 |
North Herts Road Runners | 22 | 386 |
Dunstable Road Runners | 19 | 673 |
Stopsley Striders | 19 | 737 |
Bedford Harriers | 16 | 795 |
Biggleswade AC | 13 | 1024 |
Wellingborough AC | 13 | 1053 |
Leighton Fun Runners | 10 | 1452 |
Northampton Road Runners | 6 | 1843 |
Olney Runners | 6 | 1956 |
Northampton Triathlon | 6 | 2172 |
Team East Haddon | 2 | 3030 |
Thursday, 19 November 2009
LFR (Wing) XCL - 22/11/09 - Preview
Stevenage 5k (12/11) - St Neots HM (15/11)
Stevenage 5k - foul and windy weather. Pleased with near-PB time of 17:37 given conditions. Part of winning Male Open Herts County Champs team.
St Neot's HM - possibly set off a bit too fast, but still a PB in 01:21:00. Quite breezy in parts. 14th out of 901 finishers
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
St Neot's HM Preview - 15/11/09
22 Squirrels are lined up to tackle this popular race. As usual, the race filled up well before race-day and last minute transfers have been at a premium! I've entered the last two years, but have had to pull out at the last minute for personal reasons. This year will mark my first ever attempt at this course. By reputation, it's a fast course and whilst not without a few undulations, it's famous for the last 3 miles being downhill back into the town.
Good luck everyone and I hope you have a good race.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Monthly Rolling-rankings - Age-graded - 01/11/08>31/10/09
Rank | Name | Date of Race | Distance | Name of Race | Time | WAVA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HALLNeilson | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:30:38 | 87.65% | |
2 | MCKEOWNAstrid | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:17:38 | 84.81% | |
3 | GibbsRachel | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:36:34 | 82.95% | |
4 | ScrowtherPeter | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:36:08 | 82.31% | |
5 | SIBBETTPeter | Sun 09/08/09 | 10kmRoad | Bearbrook 10k (RotM) | 00:36:27 | 81.59% | |
6 | FramptonDavid | Sun 15/03/09 | Half.Mar | Silverstone HM | 01:24:21 | 81.46% | |
7 | HALLLizzie | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:37:15 | 81.43% | |
8 | McKEOWNSteve | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:35:12 | 81.32% | |
9 | FramptonDavid | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:38:43 | 81.24% | |
10 | SMITHERStewart | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:20:02 | 80.77% | |
11 | BryantStewart | Fri 31/07/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:18:51 | 80.17% | |
12 | HumphreysLuke | Sun 01/02/09 | 5MileRoad | Alsager 5 | 00:26:45 | 80.14% | |
13 | chappellJane | Fri 25/09/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFotM 5k | 00:19:29 | 78.69% | |
14 | MYALLDerek | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:20:49 | 78.42% | |
15 | FootSusan | Sun 08/03/09 | Half.Mar | Nike+ Milton Keynes HM | 01:44:45 | 78.14% | |
16 | KelleyPaul | Sun 03/05/09 | 10kmRoad | Betty Willett 10k (Luton) | 00:40:36 | 77.48% | |
17 | YOUNGMark | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:18:27 | 77.45% | |
18 | PriestleyChris | Fri 31/07/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:20:13 | 77.31% | |
19 | POWELLDonald | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:23:25 | 77.22% | |
20 | PITMANNatasha | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:39:35 | 77.19% |
Monthly Rolling-rankings - Men - 01/11/08>31/10/09
Rank | Name | Date of Race | Event | Name of Race | Time | WAVA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HumphreysLuke | Tue 19/05/09 | 5kmRoad | Charndon 5k | 00:16:38 | 77.93% | |
2 | McKeownSteve | Fri 25/09/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFotM 5k | 00:16:53 | 80.85% | |
3 | AtkinsJames | Fri 17/07/09 | 5kmRoad | Great City Run | 00:17:21 | 74.35% | |
4 | COOKGary | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:17:27 | 74.51% | |
5 | Scrowtherpeter | Fri 31/07/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:17:33 | 81.42% | |
6 | SAVILLEOliver | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:17:34 | 73.44% | |
7 | YOUNGMark | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:18:27 | 77.45% | |
8 | SIBBETTPeter | Wed 26/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series II | 00:18:33 | 76.43% | |
9 | SHERWOODAdrian | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:18:36 | 75.06% | |
10 | BryantStewart | Fri 31/07/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:18:51 | 80.17% | |
1 | HumphreysLuke | Sun 01/02/09 | 5MileRoad | Alsager 5 | 00:26:45 | 80.14% | |
2 | ScrowtherPeter | Fri 12/06/09 | 5MileRoad | Springfield Striders Friday 5 | 00:29:07 | 81.16% | |
3 | SavilleOliver | Sat 29/11/08 | 5MileRoad | Wolverton 5 | 00:29:20 | 72.73% | |
4 | SibbettPeter | Sat 29/11/08 | 5MileRoad | Wolverton 5 | 00:29:57 | 78.28% | |
5 | AnnettsMartyn | Fri 03/07/09 | 5MileRoad | Cranfield 5 | 00:32:52 | 70.79% | |
6 | RussellJohn | Thu 01/01/09 | 5MileRoad | Coventry Godivas NYD 5M | 00:33:45 | 70.02% | |
1 | HALLNeilson | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:30:38 | 87.65% | |
2 | McKEOWNSteve | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:35:12 | 81.32% | |
3 | AtkinsJames | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:35:44 | 75.14% | |
4 | BERESFORDNick | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:35:58 | 75.87% | |
5 | ScrowtherPeter | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:36:08 | 82.31% | |
6 | SIBBETTPeter | Sun 09/08/09 | 10kmRoad | Bearbrook 10k (RotM) | 00:36:27 | 81.59% | |
7 | RobertsonMark | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:36:39 | 73.26% | |
8 | SavilleOliver | Thu 01/01/09 | 10kmRoad | Serpentine New Year's Day 10k | 00:37:35 | 71.45% | |
9 | CookGary | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:38:20 | 70.59% | |
10 | FramptonDavid | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:38:43 | 81.24% | |
1 | ScrowtherPeter | Sun 29/03/09 | 10Mile | Sandy 10 (RoTM) | 01:00:21 | 80.16% | |
2 | COOKGary | Sun 18/01/09 | 10Mile | Fred Hughes 10 (ROTM) | 01:01:01 | 72.89% | |
3 | ATKINSJames | Sun 18/01/09 | 10Mile | Fred Hughes 10 (ROTM) | 01:01:36 | 72.05% | |
4 | sibbettpeter | Sun 26/07/09 | 10Mile | Harlow 10 | 01:03:40 | 76.61% | |
5 | FramptonDavid | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:04:23 | 79.61% | |
6 | SHERWOODAdrian | Sun 18/01/09 | 10Mile | Fred Hughes 10 (ROTM) | 01:04:52 | 73.41% | |
7 | SAVILLEOliver | Sun 18/01/09 | 10Mile | Fred Hughes 10 (ROTM) | 01:05:13 | 68.06% | |
8 | YoungMark | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:05:16 | 74.73% | |
9 | MalpeliNickolas | Sun 06/09/09 | 10Mile | Garden City 10 | 01:06:10 | 71.96% | |
10 | BryantStewart | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:06:38 | 76.92% | |
1 | MCKEOWNSteve | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:18:52 | 78.22% | |
2 | ATKINSJames | Sun 22/02/09 | Half.Mar | Great North West HM Blackpool | 01:19:13 | 74.75% | |
3 | CookGary | Sun 08/03/09 | Half.Mar | Nike+ Milton Keynes HM | 01:21:01 | 73.11% | |
4 | scrowtherpeter | Sun 13/09/09 | Half.Mar | Grunty Fen HM | 01:21:27 | 79.49% | |
5 | SIBBETTPeter | Sun 14/12/08 | Half.Mar | Bedford HM | 01:24:14 | 76.23% | |
6 | SherwoodAdrian | Sun 20/09/09 | Half.Mar | Great North Run | 01:24:19 | 75.54% | |
7 | FramptonDavid | Sun 15/03/09 | Half.Mar | Silverstone HM | 01:24:21 | 81.46% | |
8 | YoungMark | Sun 15/03/09 | Half.Mar | Bath HM | 01:24:53 | 76.28% | |
9 | SavilleOliver | Sun 02/11/08 | Half.Mar | Barns Green HM | 01:26:28 | 68.48% | |
10 | THACKERAYRichard | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:27:47 | 72.56% | |
1 | CookGary | Sun 02/11/08 | Marathon | NYC Marathon | 02:54:52 | 71.44% | |
2 | sherwoodadrian | Sun 18/10/09 | Marathon | Abingdon Marathon | 03:00:44 | 73.22% | |
3 | AtkinsJames | Sat 22/08/09 | Marathon | Reykjavik Marathon | 03:04:32 | 67.69% | |
4 | SpinksJohnny | Sun 01/03/09 | Marathon | Barcelona Marathon | 03:12:04 | 67.76% | |
5 | jonesalan | Sun 18/10/09 | Marathon | Abingdon Marathon | 03:12:22 | 75.18% | |
6 | youngmark | Sun 26/04/09 | Marathon | London Marathon | 03:12:32 | 69.93% |
Monthly Rolling-rankings - Ladies - 01/11/08>31/10/09
Rank | Name | Date of Race | Distance | Name of Race | Time | WAVA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MCKEOWNAstrid | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:17:38 | 84.81% | |
2 | WINTERSMelissa | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:19:17 | 77.10% | |
3 | chappellJane | Fri 25/09/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFotM 5k | 00:19:29 | 78.69% | |
4 | PitmanNatasha | Fri 28/08/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:19:53 | 74.97% | |
5 | TROTTSuzy | Wed 10/12/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series Race III | 00:22:07 | 67.40% | |
6 | DodsworthKaren | Fri 28/08/09 | 5kmRoad | Serpentine LFOTM 5k | 00:22:29 | 74.33% | |
7 | PRIESTLEYAnna | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:23:40 | 73.32% | |
8 | AirdLinda | Wed 29/07/09 | 5kmRoad | P'borough 5k Grd Prix (Werrington) | 00:24:22 | 70.32% | |
9 | ANNETTSRachel | Wed 10/12/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series Race III | 00:24:58 | 66.12% | |
10 | COOKLindsay | Wed 12/11/08 | 5kmRoad | Stevenage 5k Series I (ROTM) | 00:25:11 | 59.04% | |
1 | PriestleyAnna | Sat 29/11/08 | 5MileRoad | Wolverton 5 | 00:38:09 | 75.34% | |
2 | AirdLinda | Sun 10/05/09 | 5MileRoad | Marlow 5 | 00:39:27 | 70.13% | |
3 | AnnettsRachel | Fri 03/07/09 | 5MileRoad | Cranfield 5 | 00:42:34 | 64.20% | |
Only 3 qualifying runners in period | |||||||
1 | GibbsRachel | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:36:34 | 82.95% | |
2 | HALLLizzie | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:37:15 | 81.43% | |
3 | McKEOWNAstrid | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:38:09 | 80.65% | |
4 | PITMANNatasha | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:39:35 | 77.19% | |
5 | WintersMelissa | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:40:15 | 75.71% | |
6 | CHAPPELLJane | Sun 04/10/09 | 10kmRoad | Standalone 10k (RotM) | 00:40:19 | 77.94% | |
7 | AdamsPaula | Thu 14/05/09 | 10kmRoad | FVS MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:40:53 | 76.39% | |
8 | SparkesLucy | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:44:52 | 67.61% | |
9 | SummersJo | Mon 25/05/09 | 10kmRoad | Hatfield Broadoak 10k (RoTM) | 00:44:56 | 71.53% | |
10 | YuillChris | Thu 04/06/09 | 10kmRoad | WGC MWL 10k (RoTM) | 00:45:03 | 67.64% | |
1 | WintersMelissa | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:06:17 | 75.30% | |
2 | PITMANNatasha | Sun 29/03/09 | 10Mile | Sandy 10 (RoTM) | 01:10:00 | 71.49% | |
3 | TROTTSuzy | Sun 29/03/09 | 10Mile | Sandy 10 (RoTM) | 01:15:14 | 66.52% | |
4 | GregsonSharon | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:21:28 | 63.18% | |
5 | DODSWORTHKaren | Sun 29/03/09 | 10Mile | Sandy 10 (RoTM) | 01:21:56 | 68.47% | |
6 | ANNETTSRachel | Sun 18/01/09 | 10Mile | Fred Hughes 10 (ROTM) | 01:25:57 | 64.48% | |
7 | AirdLinda | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:27:35 | 64.85% | |
8 | PiumiAngela | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:27:56 | 57.31% | |
9 | Marsden-JonesCatherine | Wed 12/11/08 | 10Mile | Henlow 10 | 01:28:10 | 56.94% | |
10 | CookLindsay | Sun 28/12/08 | 10Mile | Buntingford 10 | 01:34:38 | 52.74% | |
1 | MCKEOWNAstrid | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:20:18 | 83.00% | |
2 | PitmanNatasha | Sun 06/09/09 | Half.Mar | Wisney HM | 01:28:14 | 75.25% | |
3 | WINTERSMelissa | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:29:10 | 74.23% | |
4 | ADAMSPaula | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:30:23 | 75.39% | |
5 | chappellJane | Sun 13/09/09 | Half.Mar | Grunty Fen HM | 01:31:47 | 74.79% | |
6 | MESSENGERClaire | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:35:47 | 69.89% | |
7 | SummersJo | Sun 01/02/09 | Half.Mar | Watford HM | 01:39:49 | 70.64% | |
8 | TrottSuzy | Sun 08/03/09 | Half.Mar | Nike+ Milton Keynes HM | 01:42:03 | 65.06% | |
9 | NortheyTeresa | Sun 15/03/09 | Half.Mar | Bath HM | 01:43:56 | 64.12% | |
10 | GREGSONSharon | Sun 16/11/08 | Half.Mar | St Neot's HM | 01:44:33 | 65.66% | |
1 | wintersmelissa | Sun 26/04/09 | Marathon | London Marathon | 03:06:38 | 73.02% | |
2 | PITMANNatasha | Sun 18/10/09 | Marathon | Abingdon Marathon | 03:15:17 | 70.03% | |
3 | SummersJo | Sun 22/03/09 | Marathon | Rome Marathon | 03:26:33 | 71.02% | |
4 | footsusan | Sun 22/03/09 | Marathon | Monaco Marathon | 03:46:43 | 75.38% | |
5 | northeyteresa | Sun 26/04/09 | Marathon | London Marathon | 03:47:52 | 60.28% | |
6 | GregsonSharon | Sun 22/03/09 | Marathon | Rome Marathon | 03:48:32 | 62.20% |
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Stevenage 5k Series – Preview
The first race of this year’s series takes place on Thu 12th November at 7:45pm (inc Herts Snr Champs). The next two are on Thu 26/11 (inc Herts Vet Champs) and Thu 10/12.
Click here for on-line entries (5 places or less available in all 3 races as of 11/11)
You don’t get many genuine 5k road races, in fact I can only think of 3 spanning between central London and Peterborough (Serpentine, Ferry Meadows Peterborough and Stevenage) The weekly Bushy Park 5k is too ‘off-road’ to qualify as a road race. The Marston Forest 5k in Beds falls into a similar category, as well as not having an SEAA measurement certificate.
All this goes some way to explaining the popularity of the Stevenage series. I think the old course (up to 2007) was a bit flatter and faster. I would say that the new course (2008>) adds around 10s (depending on pace) compared with the old route.
The new route, like the old, is entirely on traffic-free cycle-ways. If the new route has one advantage, it’s that there are fewer tight turns. The key disadvantage of the new route is that the final 1.5k (30% of race) is uphill.
The graph below compares the elevation profiles of both old and new routes. The upper (blue) line is the new route. New route = average gain/loss per mile = 12.07 metres. Old route scores 9.62.
Click on either map or graph to enlarge.
Click here for on-line entries (5 places or less available in all 3 races as of 11/11)
You don’t get many genuine 5k road races, in fact I can only think of 3 spanning between central London and Peterborough (Serpentine, Ferry Meadows Peterborough and Stevenage) The weekly Bushy Park 5k is too ‘off-road’ to qualify as a road race. The Marston Forest 5k in Beds falls into a similar category, as well as not having an SEAA measurement certificate.
All this goes some way to explaining the popularity of the Stevenage series. I think the old course (up to 2007) was a bit flatter and faster. I would say that the new course (2008>) adds around 10s (depending on pace) compared with the old route.
The new route, like the old, is entirely on traffic-free cycle-ways. If the new route has one advantage, it’s that there are fewer tight turns. The key disadvantage of the new route is that the final 1.5k (30% of race) is uphill.
The graph below compares the elevation profiles of both old and new routes. The upper (blue) line is the new route. New route = average gain/loss per mile = 12.07 metres. Old route scores 9.62.
Click on either map or graph to enlarge.
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