"For anyone who hasnt read the previous reports by me (Janet was reminding me of some past efforts whilst we ran on Weds) my best friend lives in Watford so this is a bit of a social for me.
 
Getting here is always so much fun  London Transport was going all out for it this year with no circle line at Paddington and no Met at Baker Street, a slight diversion via Marylebone, the Chiltern Line service and Harrow was called for. 
 
Friend's hubby has been hanging around a bar frequented by Watford Joggers (the effort my support team go to!) and reported to me that the talk was of a hard course and people were concerned.  I checked the course profile as, organised as ever, I hadnt actually read the info pack the organisers thoughtfully sent out some weeks back.  Was a tad worried that route had been changed and some new hazard introduced.  Realised that it was still the same course so all probably ok.
 
Got chaffeur driven to the start but despite arriving only 15mins before the start (and having been to the loo before leaving, never too old to remember mum's advise!) I had a bit of a frantic search for further facilities, the queue was such that I feared I'd miss the finish, let alone the start,.....the rest of this sentence has been edited in case the Watford parks commission is reading.  The red start (how cool is this!) is unfirtunately situated just along from one of the toppest tea and cake places in Watford (just in case Mrs Tim or Carol D or actually anyone that manages to produce cake for club is reading, obviously not as good as theirs!) so really a bit of a tragedy not to be able to fill up before departure (is a bit depleted of stock by the time I get back! actually very like club nights!) maybe tomorrow.......
 
The talk on the start line was of this being a tough course and much worse than Bedford  I dont think they meant the chap with the moustache either.  Decided there was nothing much I could do at this stage and had better just get on with it. 
 
First couple of miles were through the park and the local residential area (ALWAYS run on the road, not the pavement, the slabs are lethally uneven) before out into the woods and quiet lanes that you wouldnt think exist in the south east.  After a bit realised that course was as flat as ever (height gain about 40m!) and Bucks Hill, isnt.  Wondered about trying to cheer up my fellow runners by telling them stories of Launceston and Truro as they moaned about the latest small incline, but they probably wouldnt believe me!  No doubt think its some sort of strange mountain running type ultra race, although now I come to think about it.  Came across a chap from Looe Pioneers at 4 miles well, they are almost as hard to miss as us!  He let me run by, no doubt thinking, damn, you travel 250 miles and still end up next to the woman with the annoying breathing (at least he wasnt scared and thought it was some strange animal in the hedgerow as one local runner did when I overtook him at mile 7!) I feel its only fair to point out he overtook me again later.
 
All was going well timewise until mile 3, after that started to drop off  a bit and the sub 8 min miles were no more.  Kept cheerful by remembering that, unlike many team mates, I at least didnt have to run up that sodding hill to Marazion surgery and there was absolutely no risk of Carol having an x rated photo of me for the website. 
 
1 hour 44: not my fastest on this course but i was pretty pleased after not doing the training properly over the last few weeks (has anyone else been doing the snow/ rain/christmas/ cold reasons.......and if so....can they tell me how much longer I'm likely to get away with it????) the conditions were overcast and a bit nippy and windy...maybe thats something I could put the blame on???  Surely cant be down to me???  Still, although it is a bit heartening to be able to improve on times just by travelling and finding somewhere flatter, I dont think Liz Yelling's course record is under any immediate danger from me.
 
Was met at the finish line by friend, hubby and boys, Max diligently getting my bag to me by coming under the finish funnel tape, still shaking the recovery drink we had made at 9.30!  (If anyone does need there drink powder mixing up Cheryl has offered to hire him out!) The things you can get away with at 4 is quite cool.  He was disappointed I didnt win a trophy but was easily cheered up by having my race number so he can take that to show and tell, I fear that by the time the story gets told I will have won the race and been picked for the Olympics!
 
Probably not the kinda big event or scenic course that will ever attract other club mates up so I do still get to say that I was the first Carnie home".

Helen.