"...and they let you enter?"

I was asked this question by a fellow runner at The Inskip Half Marathon last month and it has stuck with me ever since. I'm pretty sure it was a question that had congratulatory tones involved but I have played it back in my mind over and over and I have been able to transform the element of surprise into an element of shock and disgust at my lack of respect for racing etiquette.

Allow me to back track a little...it was the morning of the scheduled Essar Four Villages Half Marathon that fell foul of the white stuff and I was in desperate need of a half marathon to run. (There is a sentence I never thought I would say, write or think!!) I kitted up and set off for Inskip, not far from Preston, in the hope that I could somehow blag my way in to a full, 'no entry on the day' race. I was the third car in the car park and the tea urn on the butty van had barely boiled when I asked, with extreme politeness, if it would be possible to enter. My wish was granted after a quick call to the organiser and I had a number, the challenge was going to stay alive for at least another day.

Ok, before I have a go at writing a 'race review' (which I can't see going too well), I would like to explain my cold sweats about the simple question I was asked that morning. "...and they let you enter?" A few years ago I took up golf as a hobby. A few of my friends and work colleagues played and they got me into it. I fell for it pretty heavily for a bit and played quite a lot. I tended to play with good golfers, or at least golfers who had played for a long time and one of the first things I learnt about the game was the etiquette. These 'rules' are often unspoken or unwritten but universally understood and applicable. Many of them add nothing to the game and are used to seperate golfers from people who swing sticks at balls. In fact, it was the etiquette that had kept me away for years and one of the reasons I don't play much anymore. It was this question that made me think I may have crossed an etiquette line. I have crossed these lines in other races but I have learned from the experiences. Like running with folk who kept me company/spurred me on in tough races and then pulling away towards the end...tut tut tut...lesson learned. Had I done it again? Does a race that states 'no entries on the day' really expect no 'extras' to chance their arm? Is it frowned upon? Have I brought my club into disrepute? Is there a secret book, full of secrets that is drip fed to the uninitiated through painful lessons, being pulled to one side for a chat or finding yourself looking at the backs of people stood in a knowing huddle?
Or, was my running cohort, just really pleased for me? Probably.



Before The Chernobyl 10k



Enough about the inner workings of a rampant self-botherer, how has The 36 Classics Challenge faired through January and February? Oh by the way, I now know that other people have read these blogs so I now imagine what is going through your minds!!! January saw two fairly unimpressive outings over 5k and 10k. A pedestrian Prince's Parkrun and an unjoyful plod around Chernobyl 10k near Preston. An almost multi-terrain affair which includes roads, toe paths, ankle-deep puddles and about 8 soul destroying climbs of no more than 30 metres in length similar to that little swine in Prince's Park. Only, with wet feet and twice the spite!

 

And after!!

Inskip Half went much better though. A country road and track race, quite flat and certainly pretty enough. The miles ticked by comfortably, I wouldn't say fast, but they came and some surprised me with their seemingly early arrival. I got through the 13.1miles and didn't feel too bad at all. I'd also managed to strip almost a minute off my PB from The Windmill Half 2012.

Inskip Half Marathon

February consisted of the 100th Parkrun, which leads me on to a massive thank you and an even massiver congratulations to the event's organisers and hardcore group of volunteer marshalls who make it THE place to be at 9am on a Saturday morning in Liverpool!!! Another typical 5k effort ensued with the 3km to 4km lull on full show for all to see as they pass me with grace and ease. If your a seasoned athlete, and your 5k PB is at this Parkrun, then fair play to you. That's an effort! If you are a novice and your only 5k race is at this Parkrun...get on another one (not instead of it though), you might just s41t at what you are capable of!! Next came the Mad Dog 10k and a new PB!! I really emjoyed the simplicity of this out and back, and would certainly consider it for next year. It was well organised, plenty of facilities which really helped as the 30 minute delay was the only let down. Great tee, great medal and a ma-hoosive goodie bag. The best thing about this race though...the amount of Striders that romped home to PBs, SBs or times they were pleased with. Well done guys!



Mad Dog 10k Pre-Race



And finally, almost the race of my life!!! Yesterday was the Village Bakery Half Marathon, near Wrexham. A very popular run, advertised as flat and fast and discussed in running circles as an excellent PB opportunity. It rang an Inskip bell as it loops around the surrounding countryside and had a similar elevation map. But, do you know what?? I'm going to say the last 5k was 'bumpier' than the flat they promised and it ripped me to shreds!!! The aforementioned race of my life slipped away and left me with the comfort blanket of a new PB and a Bara Brith fruit loaf which I will be having for breakfast in the morning, toasted and lightly buttered.

Me and my fruit loaf