Hollins Green 5k

Major milestones hit by Di and Louisa

Part of the Altrincham/Spectrum 5k series, Hollins Green is a pleasant and reasonably brisk 5k, although it did not seem it for me !

Graham ran one second quicker than Christleton, recognised as the fastest around, although he did say, he had been off colour leading up to that one.

5K's are excellent training workouts and allow a fast race with shorter recovery needed post race than some other races. Run regularly, its a good benchmark of fitness. A classic blend of pace and endurance.

The start can be congested as myself and Alan found to our cost.With a sharp right turn some 100 metres from the start, a decent start is important. I was surprised not to see Di around me but as the congestion cleared I saw her some 100 yards ahead and inside the first half kilometre…She was off to a flier !

As the race progressed, I was mentally working out some numbers and thought that if she did not falter that a sub 18 was a possible for her. As we approached the turn to hit the 4k sign, I could guage the gap and felt that it would be close for her.

17.57…Well done Di and a club record.

19.59 …Well done Louisa, no errors on time keeping here !  

It could be PB's also for Andrew and Janine but will let them confirm?

I had spoken with Dave Norman for some time prior to the race about his recent Manchester Marathon win, mileage and feeling fresh. Steve Vernon had mentioned this in his club talk.

Running is a numbers game…Just look at the headline to this report ! Think of the runners who run an extra half mile to log 40 miles in their log and not 39.5 !

As I call out split times at parkrun, a number can create a smile or a frown !  

In recent months since recovering a degree of fitness, I too have become conscious of listening to your body. I felt tired through this race, beat myself up over a post race pint but this morning decided not to run today…down 8/9 miles in my log but will have a leisurely one hour cycle with coffee and croisant at some point….Running should be smiles not just miles.

I watched the Wilmslow runners finish and my impression was that all ran well, a number of category wins and Simon just pushing Peter out of the winnings !

Well done to our ladies team of Diane, Louisa and Janine who won the team prize.

1st. Matthew Shaw (Salford) 15.38

14th. Graham MacNeill 16.44

17th. Andrew Whittingham 17.10

27th. Diane McVey 17.57 (1st Lady)

37th. Nick Bishop 18.42

48th. Allan McCormick 18.57

69th. Louisa Harrison 19.59

71st. Matt Taylor 20.04

84th. Janine Ellis 20.35 (1ST L40)

121st. Chris Cannon 22.05

140st. Simon Fenton 22.53 (1st V70)  

143rd. Peter Watson 23.03

151st. Ian Ashcroft 23.35

158th. Roy Pownall 23.54 

226 ran

http://www.spectrumstriders.org.uk/our-races/hollins-green-5k/2013-results

Nick.