Thursday May 23rd.
Summer Series, race 4
Patrick asked at the AGM for more comments on the website, my vision of the race is limited, although I was almost caught-up with the leaders as I approached the 3k mark. Please add, in ‘comments’ below, observations on your own performance and that of those around you.
May has been a perfect month for running, mainly dry, warm but not hot, and with little more than a gentle breeze. Thus it continued for Dunham Massey scene 1. Then add-in the elegant surroundings.
Star, not for the first time, was Claire who won the ladies’ prize.
This is race that attracts some quality runners and they squeezed Richard, who was first vet, off the podium. Wilmslow moved-in in force behind the top 10; Rob 11th, James, 6 seconds behind, in 12th., Andrew 14th. and Claire 19th.
Mike was 26th. and 1st. M50. Graham 39th., Richard Lawson 42nd.
Nic, who was first F35, finished 52nd. followed by Paul 62nd, Julian 69th and Louisa 84th.
Diane, back from a well-judged London Marathon took League 2 and first F45. Colin Caisley was second from Tracy, Colin Walton and Mark.
Kate was the League 3 winner, with Nicola, another who judged the pace well at London, second and third a rare outing for Steve. Angela, who after her long injury is really running well, was ahead of Nicky for whom 5k is just a warm-up, but she still managed first F60. I think this was Kathryn’s first race for the club, she was just ahead of Jan, who was disappointed with her performance, and Emily, who was also making her Summer Series debut.
I had tracked Sue but she had widened the gap by 4k and, as we came to the top of the ‘Mulsanne’ straight for the third time, Emily overtook me. Further motivation was provided by my watch telling me I was about 5 seconds slower than last year and an aging figure not far in front of me. Emily accelerated away, ahead of Sue, and, whilst I closed, I could not catch her. I did, however, beat the old man, although he proved to be a sprightly 65 year old, and also last year’s time. Roy has got stuck in one of those periods when you know you can run faster but somehow it never seems to happen – he might be a tip for Cat’s trainers in the Dunham reverse.
Appreciative of support from Peter, Peter, Don, Nick, Nina and, I think, others.
Ian
Ian’s comment about my performance is right. I seem to be stuck in a 28 min 5k groove. Only last year I was running under 28 mins and sometimes under 27 minutes. I’m definitely missing the Saturday speed sessions Simon and I used to do. I guess I must just try harder! Well done to all my fellow club runners. It’s great to see the improvement in so many of you and what a star we have in Claire whilst Di is on maternity leave (not forgetting Sharon!) I must also congratulate Ian on a cracking time.
What a tremendous night at Dunham! A number of PB’s and some great performances. I have always thought that this race is 20-30 seconds slower than a flat fast road 5k race.
Training on Tuesday will be a session to develop our middle distance aerobic capacity and build on the success of Thursday for the summer races ahead.
With the coming warm summer races to come, a great chance for all to benefit…thrive and develop!
Nick.