Summer Series, race 4
Sunday April 15
Good to have Whitley back on the racing calendar after it falling victim to local government bureaucracy gone astray last year. A sub-zero dawn warmed to 7O with a gentle, if chilly, northern breeze. Bit cold for me, but ideal for most. So a pleasant day out round the Cheshire lanes on a sunny, spring morning. Whitley has no hills but too many undulations for it to be a PB course, that at least has always been my thinking, but a surprising number of you proved me wrong with some excellent times (although not quite so good as they appear in the official results which seem to be 20-25 seconds fast).
Rob was 5th and 3rd.M40., Graham McNeil 10th., Trevor 13th. and 1st.M50, Jim 14th., Robert 21st and Graham Screawn 33rd. Mick was 43rd. and 1st.M60.
Katy maintained her superb form she was 1st.F35 and first Wilmslow lady. Sharon was 2nd. F35 followed by Janine, and Christine. Diane, Nicky and Julie were the other leading ladies.
Jeremy registered his first Division 2 win ahead of Allan and Paul Garnett. Andy Watts,3rd. M60, Sharon and Tony completing the division's top six.
Andy Dodd, in sparkling form, won this week's challenge with deadly rival, Janine and registered a PB in the process. Next was Christine, an excellent 1st. F45. Diane, Paul Norris and Gareth were the other Division 3 pace-setters. My intent was to let my rivals go, if they so wanted, over the first 2k and allow the watch, 4:35 minutes per kilometre, to dictate my pace. I could see Chris , with Richard alongside, just ahead but was not tempted; he's running too well. Good decision, Chris completed a hat-trick of PBs (half, 5 mile, 10k). I was running alongside James. Julie and Owen moved ahead of me in 2nd.k but the watch said I was ok. I had re-taken Julie by 4k but she's in great form and made her PB. Then passed Alan, although he's running well I'd beaten him at Wilmslow where he blew-up going for a PB in the heat. Went through 5k with Owen, on schedule, 23 minutes exactly. Moved ahead of Owen but Alan was back in front of me by 7k. We were both closing on Matt and could see Nicky, who is clearly recovering from her illness but still below full fitness. Alan made it to Matt but he proved too strong for me.
The Simon/Huma battle at the top of Division 4 went in the favour, this time, of Simon but neither got the 60 points; they went to Julie . Pete was just ahead of Nina who got a PB on the back of her marathon training, she's looking good on it. Sue made-up the division's top six. Great to see Soraya racing again, but I can't find her in the results.
We're always appreciative of support. Saw Cat, Paul, Sharon, Mike and Angela – there were other shouts but travelling too fast to spot the faces. Time to get your trainers back on, Cat?
Ian
Katy was first lady for us and 2nd in the race. Won lovely bottle of Moët!