Thornbury Carnival 10k - I wasn't expecting that
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!!!!
Phil
Races and Thornbury 10k