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Sunday 12 July 2009

Defying Demons

I did good today readers. I've been quaking at the thought all week of this wretched race and had been developing a less than good mindset for today. Though I'd been telling myself it was only a training race I still felt a bit niggled that it was the 5k Northern Champs and I'm not in the greatest shape. Anyway, this pretty small but high quality field, (including a Kenyan contingent) meant that I could run very anonymously - some great names were there which allowed me to run with no pressure or expectation and just try to focus on a good race.
The course was a 3 lapper around Blackburn town centre with a surprising amount of undulation for this reputedly fast course. This proved to be a bit of treat for me though, as the eye-balls-out-pancake-flat style event is not my thing. Anyway, I lined up near the middle of the pack and set off with the gun, with a fairly relaxed smile on my face. The course seemed to fly by; the 3 laps winding and undulating frequently to make the run interesting, with the exception of some of the heavy winds catching anyone not huddled in a pack. I started well, with the leading ladies in touching distance, and maintained this for the first 2 laps, overtaking a couple of ladies and moving into 4th position. By the final lap these old legs were tiring and with a final push I managed to secure 5th place with a young Chester-le-Street lady overtaking me on the last quarter of the final lap.

I can say with some surprise that I actually enjoyed this race today and those that know me well will understand what a transformation it is for Runningbear to enjoy a 5k. I think I've developed a bit of a taste for the distance and am already planning my sub 17 for next Spring! The time was reasonable in the conditions and a PB at 17.37; enough to secure me bronze medal position in the Northern Champs. There. Demons slayed and a medal to polish too. Now off to tea at Tricky's for a good end to a productive day.

4 comments:

kate said...

wow,a proper medal and everything-well done :) i'm in awe of your time! a sub 17 must be within you if you can train well

Markh said...

Well done RB.
The rewards keep on coming.
Lack of speed my a*se !!
PS
Like the music selection.

Phil said...

Well done RB - nice medal too.

Runningbear said...

Thanks guys. Felt a bit more race hungry than I've been for a while which is a good sign of some strength returning for me. It feels that I've still a bit to go to return to my form earlier this year but all in the right direction.
Your encouraging comments are great and glad you like the medal. It's one of the poshest of my collection!

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