Harvel 5 Race Review Lack Of Training Makes Racing Hard |

How can I review a race like the Harvel 5? Since the last post I have ran a total of 15 miles 5 of which was the Harvel 5 is a 5 mile race around Harvel and the surrounding woods. Attempting to run a 5 mile race at race pace really showed me how much fitness I have lost through lack of training.

We had volunteered at the Kent Roadrunner Marathon due of lack of training since London and injuries. Watching all the runners running the 17 laps of Cyclopark did help me regain my mojo and want to get running again (luckily Harvel 5 was only a week away). There were so many amazing runners and with the runners passing our water station 16 times by the end of the race we felt like we knew many of them. The weather for the marathon was scorching. I was glad to not be running as the heat and lack of wind would have made the marathon even harder to run.

Harvel 5 – A tough race due to lack of training

Harvel 5 was the first race I ran so w determined to race again this year. The Harvel 5 starts just off of the village green in Harvel and twists around into Trosley Country park before running back towards the green where the finish is full of supporters. The race was amazing as always and well marshaled as always. For me personally the race was a stinker.

The first 2.5 Miles took forever to come. At 2.5 miles you come to the first water station where I needed to stop and walk (I usually run through drink stations). I was also tempted by the beer that is on offer at the water stations. I was forced to walk for about 20 seconds before getting back into gear. Before walking again at about 3 miles this time it was only around 10-15 seconds. I realized that I was not going to improve on my time from last year.

I relaxed and ran comfortably for the last mile. In the last mile knowing I had already missed my target time I tried to talk to two runners into racing each other into the finish with a quarter mile to go. My pace was slowing and they were pulling away racing each other the whole way. Once I could see the final bend I put in my final push and manage to catch them both.

The Finish

once crossing the line I realized my time was only 12 seconds slower than last year. Yes 12 seconds is slower but considering I had to walk twice I was over the moon. I still cant believe I was so close with so little training. Hopefully next year I will smash my PB. I am getting back into running now.

Harvel 5 is still my favorite local race. The medal is one of my favorites made even better with the medal doubling up as a bottle opener. I’m sure next year I will be toeing the Harvel 5 start line again. I will be planing to get a new personal best.