Craig - thanks for your comments.

I have checked the route and it is pan-flat as it runs right next to the Moselle river for the whole length.

I think I'll do what I attempt to do in training - slow beginning and gradually wind up the pace rather than a fast start and a slow death at the end!

Thanks Martin,

If I may indulge myself once more in you blog...

Here is the race report - 49th Dexia Route du Vin Half Marathon, Remich, G.D Luxembourg 26 September 2010

Course: Start under the bridge in Remich run north on the road alongside the River Moselle to Ehnen, round the turning point and finish back in the town square at Remich. The route is sinuous but flat; conditions cloudy. very windy to turn (from behind) therefore headwind on return. The scenery is stunning running alongside the vineyards that tower over the river. The village bands were out and at road junctions and there were enthusiastic bystanders clapping us along.

My time out to 10km (timing chip): 49 min 44 sec; my finish time at 21.1km (timing chip) 1hr 40 mins 59 secs - a PB as this was my first HM.

It was an awesome experience running with 1,468 others (finishers). The winner a Kenyan, passed me on his way home at my 8.5k mark and finished in just under the 1hr for the first time in the race's history.

With my time at the turn about three minutes under my race pace wristlet (1 hr 50 mins) I abandoned caution at Km 14 and just went for it. I had to catch my 32 year old son Neil who was ahead of me but I didn't know where! I caught sight of him at about the 16km mark, tapped him on the shoulder and cruised past ....the look on his face was priceless, worth every hard yard of training. He eventually finished 1min 11 secs behind me having been 1 min 41 secs ahead at the 10km mark.

I knew I could run a fast 5km from Basingstoke Park run results and set about slip streaming the faster runners and moved up from group to group. At one point a "train" of five runners, line astern moved past me and I joined them. When the lead runner tired and no one took his place at the front I moved on through and found another group. By using this tactic I think my return run (10k equivalent) was faster at 46 min 17 secs so overall I am thrilled.

Finally, to put this all into perspective, the leading runner in my age category (V60 male) finished in 1 hr 24 min 13 secs so I'm not in his league!

My niece Eloise joined us in the race and finished her first HM in a credible 2 hr 06 min 10 secs and between us we have raised £600 and counting for the Alzheimer Research Trust in memory of my parents who were both sadly afflicted and have since passed away.

So we had a ball and there was a serious edge to our collective endeavours too.

Will we do it next year - you bet and we are aiming to have as many as five other family members in the race too!

For non-family members I can highly recommend this "track" as a very fast race with a smooth road to run on and a great place for a min-break. The organiser's even give you a bottle of (good) local sparkling wine when you collect your timing chip. 

hehe - love it!  It's important to get the time out to recover - much as I now hate missing out on my morning run I think I'd rather miss a few and come back stronger than gradually burn out through exhaustion and give up.

Funnily enough, I've also had a week off. Was on holiday in Noo Yoik with my wife and her family. I stupidly didn't take my kit so missed out on the run in central park (DOH!!!!), but that left more room in the case for all the new dri-fit kit I bought, including running trousers, long sleeved top, and a running hoodie. I now have no excuses to avoid the cold/wet early mornings. And an excuse to go back to NY (sans in-laws!).

Was supposed to go on an easy run this morning, but was still feeling really knackered from the red-eye flight yesterday.  Going to do a 5k parkrun tomorrow, but not expecting a good time what with a week off and a diet consisting of huge steaks, pizzas, deli-sandwiches, bagels, and airline food.