"...just wait until next time..."

It's seems like a really long time ago since I last wrote anything about The 36 Classics Challenge. Over two months have passed in fact and what a mixed bag of results!! However, there is one result that stands out for me lately and that is how much I am enjoying my running. Not just racing either, the buzz I'm getting from putting my Nikes on for training is so satisfying that it is never a chore. Which, to be fair, it has been at various points through my time running.


My Phoebe stretching out



The mixed bag of results, and post-race emotions, began back in April with a Parkrun on a fine morning. I took my four year old daughter along for it as she had been begging me to take her to race after marshalling it together a few times. We soaked up the atmosphere at the start line and we did our stretches and I have never felt so excited about a race. Phoebe was getting plenty of attention as she is so small and she seemed to be able to brighten the mood of everyone around her. We ran, we walked, we stopped, we played, we drank and we called it quits at halfway!! She was absolutely overjoyed at the finish line as people were clapping her and shouting her name. She beat her Dad across the line and although we didn't complete the distance, I have never been so proud. Even though she is still talking about it, and still running everywhere she goes, she hasn't asked to do another race since so I hope the race hasn't broken her.


I was really tough on myself at points through April and May and it's not until I took time to reflect and think about what the challenge is about, why I run and what should I realistically expect that I give myself a break. Let me explain if I can. In four of the six races in April and May I have finished and felt some level of deflation. No...wait...during these races I have felt deflated and running a race whilst battling your mind is not a great strategy. The first one of these outings was the Cheshire 10k in


Numero Uno

 Crewe, a small affair but well organised and friendly. As the event was a combined start of a 2.5k, a 5k and the 10k there was a really good family vibe. For whatever reason I was given number 1 for my vest and it didn't go unnoticed by the race announcer, no pressure!! The run itself was four laps of a park which was twisty, tricky and a little bit 'undulating' towards the end of each lap, near the boating lake. It was also quite a windy day and I'll be honest, I struggled. It felt like I couldn't get going, I felt slow and sloppy. I pushed on and ran a race that I thought wouldn't please me. It was 46:23 in the end and there was a bit of disappointment as I was aiming for sub-46 mins. But, later on when I had dissected events and realised it was my second fastest time at 10k ever and I came 17th overall! 17th...me…overall!! BOOM!
In to May, and the second race that got to me troubled was The Liverpool Spring 10k in Sefton Park. I hadn't intended to do this as I had a half marathon each weekend either side and contemplated a week off racing. I'm glad I did it in the end but not at first. This is an event with a great future. Well organised, great atmosphere, challenging course. The race attracted a national field but managed to harness a really 'local' feel which was interesting and pretty cool. Anyway, it was a glorious day. In fact it wasn't far short of a scorcher, easy 300C in direct sunlight!! And, I felt it. I'm still lugging a bit of timber and when the heat kicks in it can be a real drainer. I didn't go out too quickly which was my only game plan but I still felt some lag in the middle third. I also delivered one of the worst home straight kicks in the history of Homo Erectus. I went too early, slowed considerably, tried again and got a stomach cramp, and crossed the line in 45:56, an infuriating 3 seconds outside a PB. I seriously nearly vomited on my iPad when I looked at the official results. My novice approach to race tactics was possibly to blame for missing a PB, never mind, move on!!
The Mystery 5k was the third of the four chokers. This is 5k racing at its most basic. Three laps of the big field and finish where you started. It's flat and fast, and because it is hosted by Liverpool Harriers (and is only £2) the field is always talented. There was an inordinate amount of PLS there and for some reason, which I still can't understand, I went out with faster black and white vests and clung to them for a bit. My 1k splits were 4:10, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50 and 4:15. Not the way to run a 5k race, even I know that! I finished in 22:26 and as I was aiming for a sub-22, I was disappointed once again. I had a right cob on with myself for my second fastest 5k, which was 2 seconds faster than the same event last attempt.
The last of the heartbreakers was Leeds Half Marathon on May 12^th, and it was a proper 'big city' race.


0727 'Elite Athlete'

 Well organised, great route, well supported with a good central start and finish. The medal, tee and goody bag were impressive too. I had been struggling since the Mystery on previous Tuesday with some pain in my left knee and I had let it get in to my head. At about 3 mile I had to walk. I had to walk at two points later in the race. I was starting to think that a sub-2 hour would be out of the question, never mind a sub-1:41. I got a bit of second wind at around mile 8 and managed a bit of a push for the end by playing hunt the vest. I finished in 1:47:24, my fourth fastest time at the distance. I still haven't got off my own back yet about this one but I might if I nail Freckleton in June.

On the flip side, I did have two excellent running experiences during this period that left me feeling on top of the world. The first was a return to my favourite place…Princes Parkrun. I had a Half Marathon booked in for the following day so I decided to use it as a ‘leg warmer’ a ‘tuner’ if you like. Never really been one for training strategies and such like but I gave it a shake. I went out at a very enjoyable pace and maintained it. Kept it steady up the hills and used the downhill sections as a little bit of recovery time. I finished in 23:24. Not quick at all but the fact that I knew I was taking it in my stride and I finished in a time that I used to have to kill myself to get was a genuine lift. And, I think it worked. The next day at The Shakespeare Half Marathon in Stratford-upon-Avon, I had THE race of my life. I’m going to say it…this is the best race I have taken part in and I would do it again. In fact it starts alongside the full marathon and I would even consider doing that!! It was scenic and pleasant and although there were only three hills of note, they were good hills. It had a great start and finish and the Mayor gave me my medal. He must have known that I’d smashed my PB by a mile. In fact, when I finished the race I had to check my watch to make sure it wasn’t a short course because I felt like I had plenty left! I bagged myself a Group 2 Half Marathon time of 1:41:38 as well.
 

Not sure what I'm up to here


To wrap up, I would like to tell you something that is worrying me. It started a while ago but the strength of this beast is growing. I know it’s my chimp in disguise but I think he’s been in the gym because he is much stronger on this one. I can’t seem to run alone. I can put one foot in front of the other but I don’t want to. I went out for a gentle 5k at 6.40 yesterday morning and I knew it was to see how my niggling calf was but the only part I actually enjoyed was when a man in a hi-viz vest left his house for work and had to run a few hundred yards to catch his bus/lift. I smashed him all over the place to be fair and it felt great!! But, is that what I have become? Is that who I am now? It can’t end well.