I used to enjoy the speed of a 5k…One of my favoured distances so I had looked at some comparable times from ten years ago. I think Lymm is 20/25 seconds slower than HG and Bowdon.
Previously, I was conscious of the start and the speed of the first kilometre. Yesterday I was conscious that it was not quite as fast as it used to be. The start seemed congested and there were a number of runners boxed in. As the latter part of the first kilometre unfolded, I was able to watch the developing order of the Wilmslow Runners. Craig was running well and good to see Di mixing it with some of the Gr1 men. Peter Speake was out of sight…certainly in a rich vein of form.
Myself, Richard and Allan were just yards apart for the best part of the race. Elbows even locked on a couple of occasions. Positions exchanged regularly and as Allan overtook me between 3 and 4k, I did not expect to see him again and wished him well ! Good to see him racing and training so well. Richard has an ability to run negative splits and I was constantly expecting him to come past me. Today that did not happen and Allan and I exchanged places yet again with five seconds separating Bishop, Hirons, Mccormick.
One person that I had not seen ahead of me was Rob Wilson, I realised why as he came past me close to the 4k mark but looking very strong. Running allows you to watch body form/language as you overtake or are overtaken…He is dying,he is flying etc…With Rob, the latter applied !
The closeness of my trio seemed to be replicated elsewhere aside from the leading group. Peter first home in 3rd and 15 seconds behind the winner. Rob, Graham, Andrew and Barry followed with some daylight between each of them. Andrew is running well and very consistently. Barry is now running stronly and more regularly.
Six seconds separated Trevor, Tom and Jeremy…Trevor is another showing a good racing return following injury, Tom is Peter Pan and Jeremy starting to show the pedigree of his youth !
Sixteen seconds then separated the next group led by our ladies captain, Diane. Mike, Rob G, Graham and Craig followed, with just two seconds separating the latter two.
Good to see the closeness of tustles know doubt reflecting the efforts made at Tuesday training. Seventeen running sub 19.15 on course which is not quick…Nice work everyone.
Nick