Foulées de Malakoff

13 February - Laurence and I had decided to run this race in Malakoff where my new offices are situated. It started off as a work event - organising a team of 5 from work to participate in the race and represent our employer. As it turned out, I was the only runner from work to take part and Laurence volunteered to run herself as a small event to try out some speedwork over 5 km.

We turned up at the event and registered. There were 200 runners taking part in the 5km race and the weather was not exactly the most enticing aspect of the race. It was freezing cold (-2°C) and windy gusts adding to the chill. We managed to find some changing rooms to get ready and which we were very reluctant to leave before lining up for the start.

Race tactics were simple: head out fast, accelerate and then sprint for the line. This wasn't so far from the truth as over 5km you just need to head out fast and keep it up.

The gun went and I set off at the front of the field. There were some good runners taking part and they soon left me, despite the fact that I was at full pelt. I saw the first kilometre marker and didn't have time to look at my watch. I knew that my heart rate was high (maxing more then likely) and I wondered how long I could keep this up for. We turned left and pulled up a slight hill, about 2/3 of the way up I followed the leaders left into a road and ran for about 20 metres before I saw some stopping and heading back towards me. I looked around and realised that the route actually continued up the hill so I turned around and joined the race. I was in 4th position now.

I told myself to run steadily and to not do anything silly. I would have loved to have maintained this position but I couldn't keep up with the runners coming past me at this point. We left the stadium we had entered at the top of the hill and then ran back down a hill parallel to the first road. I was still flat out and couldn't find any more pace to stay with the others. I was hanging on now and so glad when I saw the 4km marker flash by and knew that there was only 1k to go.

I pushed again, determined not to lose any more places and then rounded the last bend and saw the finish 250m ahead. I sprinted now and crossed the line in 18:21. Slightly disappointed with my time as I'd wanted to beat 18 minutes. However the Garmin had recorded 5.14 km due to the extra distance when I turned left by mistake. Average time of 3:34 per km. 17th position and 4th V1.

Lap times went as follows: 3:20; 3:47; 3:36; 3:36; 3:36 then 25 seconds to finish. Can see the slow down in 2nd kilometre as I wondered where to go !

Laurence finished 5 minutes later in 23:26 and was first V1 woman. Really pleased with her result.

Full results here: Malakoff