Not the Roman IX - 20th January 2008...
Distance: 12k (7.44 miles)
In a time of...
hh:mm:ss
00:47:11 Personal Best!!
Finishing Position: 12
Number of finishers: 592
Putting me in the top: 2%
It feels like only yesterday that I was writing my race report for the Welcombe Wobbler, ending it by stating "at the time of writing this 'race report', it's been my best ever race day to date", and yet the next race I enter – my first race of 2008 – is again my best race ever at the time of writing the race report.
The buildup to this event was by far my best so far, since racing in October I'd joined a running club (Kenilworth Runners) which had meant being a lot more disciplined in my training, both in quantity and quality. Needless to say that as race day approached I was itching to get to the start line, In fact I found it quite a struggle and most irritating having to reduce my training volume and 'tapering' up to the event; all I wanted to do was get out and run more! Friday and Saturday before the race I felt so relaxed and so full of energy, I was ready.
Race day came, and as I woke I suddenly didn’t feel quite as energetic as the previous two days which was slightly concerning, but I put it down to race day nerves. I knew I'd done everything I could to give myself the best possible chance in the race, and I was happy to accept whatever happened.
The buildup to the start went smoothly, and for the first time ever I properly warmed up! In the past my idea of warming up had been jogging say 200-400m then performing a few stretches (or at least trying to) before jigging around and hopping from one leg to the other on the start line. As a result of my proper warm up, I felt comfortable running at a decent pace from the squeak of the starting horn.
I ran a steady pace making sure I felt within my limits, my goal was to break the 50mins barrier, though quietly I felt I could get nearer to the 48minute mark. I slowly passed runners and was only occasionally overtaken by others. I'd check my split times each time I spotted a Km marker, and was a little behind 4min/km but was definitely on track for a sub 50min finish. The halfway mark came after the biggest climb of the course and then partway down a steep descent. My halfway mark split time was 24:36 – If I could carry on at this pace, together with a decent finish, I felt I may manage 48mins as I knew the course was more forgiving in the second half.
I struggled to stay with one of the Coventry Tri-athlete runners but didn’t want to let him slip away. After having to dig deep for nearly 3km he dropped behind and I began to break away. I was approaching the 10km Marker and eager to see what my 10km split was… 39:36! A new 10k PB! Of course this lifted my spirits, and I certainly needed it – I'd forgotten how draining the long hill between 10km and 11km was. I saw bodies ahead and tried my utmost to close the gap, yet it just didn't seem to be happening.
1km to go and I picked up the pace a little more, I passed a lady in front of me with 800m to go, 400m to go and I passed another guy. I was hurting, a lot; I knew I'd ran the best race I could, giving as much effort as possible. I don’t know why but the crowds at the end of a race always give me the most unbelievable lift and rush of adrenaline – particularly when I see familiar faces! Mum, brother, sister, and partner Emma were there to cheer me home and I picked up the pace one last time. The finishing straight was maybe 80m long after a tight left hand turn, the next competitor was probably 20m ahead turning into that final straight, a shout of encouragement from the race photographer (Dad) and I was up onto my toes in an all out sprint. I passed the guy ahead of me with maybe 10m to spare, crossed the finish line and pretty much collapsed on the ground gasping for air.
Yet again I'd forgotten to stop my stopwatch, but I knew it was sub 48mins, I also didn't have a clue where I'd come, though I had hope of somewhere in the 30's or 40's. As I tried to steady my jelly-legs I was pleased to see Emma, she was incredibly happy for me and said how well I'd done. "There was hardly anyone in front of you!!" she said. Annoyingly, all I could think about from then onwards was where I'd finished.
I got home and went through the first bunch of race photos with dad, from them we counted to work out my position… Twelfth… I honestly couldn’t believe it when my photo came up so close to the start. Absolutely amazing. A day I'll never forget – knocking nearly 8 minutes off last year's time.
