Wedgnock Summer Series - Race 2 - 18 June 2009...

Distance: 10k (6.2 miles)

In a time of...
hh:mm:ss
00:37:34

Finishing Position: 2
Number of finishers: 118
Putting me in the top: 1.69%

I think I've probably left it too late to write a decent report for this race as I don't have too many memories of the race – but hey… I'll start writing and see if anything extra comes to mind as I type.

The race started at a brisk pace with clubmate Phil Gould going off ahead into the lead – a few others went with him but I decided to hold back and take it easy to start with, I was feeling quite some way behind full fitness with the Edinburgh Marathon still taking its toll on my legs. I settled with a few other runners who I think began to drop back a smidge after about 2.5km, leaving me running alongside one other guy fighting for 2nd place, with Phil way out in the lead.

This guy chatted to me mentioning he was surprised at how far up the field he was considering he'd only just starting running again after having a few weeks lay-off (I assume this was injury related)… he asked if I was running the series, so I said I was, but had only jogged around the first race – it seemed only moments after that he started to fall off the pace and I was forming a gap. I later found out this was Ian Mansell, who was to become my main rival in the series.

Trying as hard as I could, my legs felt tired, but my lungs felt even worse – they seemed to be putting in 110% effort, but only getting about 80% back in return, it was soul destroying as Phil's lead just got bigger and bigger, until he was completely out of site. Past the 8km marker, through a kissing gate, and through a field I was onto the golf course and mindful that my lead to 3rd place was getting smaller – I had nothing else to give so just tried to maintain the same pace and hope for the best.

The finish just never seemed to come around, I seemed to be forever thinking it was "just around this next bend"… I think that happened a good 8 or more times, until eventually I did reach the finish – a minute and a half behind Phil, but holding onto second place. Pleased with the position, but very much disappointed with my condition – the marathon seemed to have robbed me of all fitness!