Bristol Running Resource

Well, where do I start, this is my home race, admittedly I knew nothing about it until this time last year, the race is staged by my old club, Thornbury Running Club. Yes I am biased but it is very well staged event, as all their races are. Anyway I digress, last year I entered and ran the race a few days after a migraine, it is safe to say that probably wasn’t best decision, and it came to bite me just after the 6k mark, where I pulled out and the demon has been growing inside me ever since.

The year is now 2009, I am more mature running wise. I made the Thornbury 10k my key race of the year, not that you would know that by the amount of races I do. The race started on time, I went off promising myself I would go too quickly which I tried not to do but straight away I found myself in the lead, a quick glance behind to see Dan Studley (Westbury Harriers Runner, and a training partner), but that was it, we pushed on at a pace we agreed at pre race, we hit the 2k mark, and Dan put a 10m gap between us, I just sat and listened to my head, not to push too much too early.

By 3k it was evident that the race would be won by either Dan or Myself. We hit the 6k mark half way up the second hill, I noticed that I was gaining on Dan and by the time we reached the top we were shoulder to shoulder, the second hill didn’t take too much out of me and I started to put a gap between us, yes I got too excited rather than just sitting and waiting, and Dan caught me a passed me again, he was starting to look strong, and I was then convinced that it wasn’t going to be my day, I promised myself though if I wasn’t going to win, I would dam well push as hard as I can, and I stuck 5m behind Dan.

We hit the 8 k mark I was starting to feel the heat, thinking that I should have drank more during the day, again thinking that this race wasd going to be mine. With 1.5k left Dan stuttered in his runinng, I thought that was strange, but didn’t think anything else of it until 20m later where Dan promptly threw up,  I went past him, he let me know he was going to be ok and  then pushed for the finish line.

And all I can say is, oh yes I finally won a 10k in 2009, putting those demons well and truly to rest, Dan came home in second place thankfully. I am now sitting here typing away with a Cheshire grin of a smile, which I don’t think will be wiped out for a while. It is good to win races, but when it is your home race, staged by your old club, in a town I not only grew up in but born in the town hospital, in a race that you pulled out of midrace the year before, I have to say I am on top of the world……

Oh yes I will be back there next year, I don’t care now if I don’t place, I can enjoy the race for what it is my home race!!!!

Well, what a scorcher, one of those days that it is too hot to even sit in the shade, but I still went out to the track at Yate for round 2 of the Avon Athletics League. As mentioned before my events of choice were the 5000m, 1500m and the Javelin, how did I get on, well here goes….

Yate track is only 15 mins away from home, so I left home just before 12 thinking the 5000m started at 12:50, I got to the track to find out I got the time wrong and actually the 5000m started at 12:20, so putting my sprinters legs on I legged it round to the 5000m start, did a quick warm up whilst Sian kindly attached my numbers to my vest (thanks Sian). I put my vest on and the gun went, we hit the apex of the corner and thats is where I stayed, the front two ( inc Phil Parry) far to quick for my liking, and rest I gradually gave myself enough distance to forget about. Given the heat I had already decided to pace myself and ended up lapping at 80 secs for the first 7 laps by which time I realised I was on  my own, and just ended up cruising home in just over 17 mins (slightly disappointed with that time, given my recent road 5k results) but still it was 3rd place and it still was only my 4th race on a proper track.

Next up 1500m, well my right calf was ripping within 5 mins of finishing the 5000m, just proves you do need to warm up especially in the heat. The event was behind schedule, but the is the norm with these events (so I have been told). I knew I was tired, but that never worries me, but I was worried about my calf but ended thinking if it does hurt I would pull out mid race. The gun went off, and I must admit I hated every minute, didn’t realise how much the heat was taking out of me, the race was a bit more of a tussle, but I was struggling too much, came home in I don’t know what place in a time of approx 4mins 40, nearly the same as before.

And so to the javelin, well by tyhe time I caught my breath, ate somthing, (for time since breakfast), my calf felt like a chrusty chainsaw had had a go at it, I wimped and limped out, boo hiss. Next time I will I promise.

So to this weeks adventures. Tuesday and Thursday are still on but I am taking advise and may not run the Bridge Inn on Tuesday, with my calf and the fact Thursday is the Thornbury Carnival 10k (AKA Sundays Hill 10k), my home race, this one I really really want to well at, but we shall see, day off tomorrow in the mean time.