It was a little different for us on Sunday just gone. We took part in a relay race as part of a work team.

The race was in Lublin and for charity organised by Poland Business Run, with 120+ teams of all abilities (including some crazy folk running in the very early 3 minute KM range) and lots of fun. Music blaring, warm ups being led and a fairly tough 3.5km course.

The course, it started with a very encouraging 1km+ downhill that made you feel like a running god. The course then zig-zagged through some of the small cobbled side streets in the city centre before heading on back uphill for 1.5km before finally turning back down hill for the final 500m.

Gabby was second up in the relay of 5 and Liam 4th to go. Our team captain took the first leg before passing the baton on to Gabby who set off with a sub 5 minute, under 150bpm, first kilometer. Possibly (maybe) falling for the lovely feeling of running downhill.

The second km, including the twists and turns was marginally slower but still strong. With the final bit really starting to bite, you can tell when the Heart Rate is soaring but the pace slowing that it’s really tough going. Gabby finished in a really good time of 17:41.

After swapping out for one of the other team members it was Liam’s turn to be up. The start was strong, again sucumbing to the temptation that was the downhill ending with a first km at 4:05. Then the turn came and the pace dramatically slowed on the uphill. Similarly to Gabby a HR going through the roof (glad I can hit 200 still) but the pace dropping steadily. Liam’s finishing time was 14:27 including a PB 1km, 1 mile and 2 miles.

After a brief moment of confusion in the change zone, Liam managed to pass the baton on to the final runner. He brought the race home resulting in an overall finishing position of 25th. Something everyone was super proud of.

It was an awesome race, really well organised and we look forward to racing it again next year.