On Sunday[29 January]I ran in The Canterbury 10 2012.My last two efforts at 10 milers were hindered by freakishly hot weather and yielded for me rather disappointing results.Ironically my last go at the above was in 2009 and was in”driving rain and howling winds” so on a cold drizzly Sunday morning conditions seemed pretty idyllic!

This is quite a popular event with 889 finishers,it was listed in February’s Runner’s World “5 To Try”,but we shouldn’t take too much notice of what Runner’s World say!

It’s a good rural course with a couple of “fierce hills” and a few rutted off road stretches despite being a bit bleak and drizzly.

After the 8 mile marker I could see a sign coming up which from a distance looked like 9 miles,but alas actually read “smile for the photographer”.

There’s a fair descent at the end along The North Downs Way which leads to the road on which the finish line is situated.

I completed with a chip time and position of 1:25:08, 558th out of 889 finishers. Although no great achievement, I was quite happy to have regained my sub:90 which has always been bit of a personal benchmark for me.Next time maybe sub:85

At the end of the race I fell into conversation with a girl from Canterbury Harriers who had run a X Country near Brighton the previous day and mentioned that she saw some Vegan Runners there who appeared to be going at quite a “nifty pace”.

In February I have been invited to run as a guest in a Kent Fitness League XC held at Rough Common nr Canterbury.So I’ll see how that goes.

Best wishes and good running, Keith.