Another year, and a new training goal! This year I want to really focus on my fitness and get back running ultra distances consistently. I’ve actually been following my training plan this year, and the Twin Lakes is now my go-to event for an early spring long run!
This is the 3rd time I’ve run this event, and once again I have Daryn with me to tackle the 20 mile distance. But unlike last years hot and humid event in Bedford, we’re running in MK and it is bloody freezing!
It was about 3°C at the 9am start, and like last year, very very foggy. The layout of race HQ is slightly different this year too – instead of an open plan layout with lots of tents, the baggage drop off is all in a building not far from the ferris wheel. It makes sense but wasn’t quite as convenient as previous years, where it was super easy to drop bags and get going.
The start of the run was very atmospheric with the fog, making Willen Lake look very dramatic, with the colourful running jerseys fading into the distance. Despite a chilly start it wasn’t long before I warmed up and started to feel quite comfortable. I’d already run a 20 mile distance the previous weekend so I knew how I’d feel this time round and focused on enjoying the run.
I ran with Daryn for the first few miles, but gradually peeled away around the 5 mile mark, just as the fog began to lift at Caldecotte Lake. There’s honestly not much else to say about this one, it was all plain sailing and I felt as though I was in the zone – the miles were coming easy.
At the 10 mile half way point I met someone in a familiar LFR running top and learned he lives in Heath and Reach, just round the corner from me! He was just finishing the 10 miler when we met and looked very comfortable coming into the finish.
The second lap was considerably warmer, and ended up quite sunny by the time I was coming into the finish, at around 3:07:34. It’s slightly slower than my other two attempts, but seriously, I’ll take it as it’s a big improvement from the last year or two. Daryn came in about 20 minutes behind me, slightly quicker than his last time at this distance, so we both did well!
