Sunday February 7th.
Llandudno is a long way for a 10k and with a noon start, much of the day was consumed. So 33 Wilmslow runners spoke volumes for the enthusiasm as another ‘Summer’ Series got underway.
Most had run it last, or in earlier, years. A bitter wind blew off the sea, the Orme loomed. ‘It’ll be twice as bad up there’ they re-assured me, a debutant.
After two DNFs, and my heart again fluttering unevenly, I started cautiously, though, as it is a climb from the beginning any other approach would be out of character. I’m not convinced that a slow start has an adverse effect on your overall time. After all, starting quickly before your body has fully found its rhythm and co-ordination must use a disproportionate amount of energy.
I first caught Andy and Soraya who seemed to be working together. Then Elspeth who had warned me that when you get back off the Orme there still along way to run. Next Jan, who had one of her good days. Unexpectedly, I next overtook Clare. She is much better than I up hills and I normally can’t stay near her, but she explained at the end that this was her first race since October.
Near 4k you can see the end of the climb. Tony had warned me, however, that you are then head-on into the wind and a gale was blowing. By this stage we could not longer feel the cold, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, a beautiful day – shame about the wind. I ran this flat section on the top with Cat and Sue, both of whom produced good finishing times. Particularly good for Cat given her intensive training programme. Sue seems to have mastered the nose-bleed problem.
At 5k another change, the road turns, the wind is behind you and well, as the marshals tell it, its downhill all the way home. So it is if you don’t count the final 3k. I charged after Sharon, then, next was what I had set as the acid test of whether the day was a success, could I catch Carolyn? I closed the gap but never seriously threatened. Elspeth was right about the end, you actually climb between 8k and 9k and then the prom stretches ahead of you for ever.
Jim was our first runner, Tom was 20th., but ‘Man of the Match’ was Sharon – not only first lady but also with Janine and Di leader of the winning Ladies’ team.
The Ladies’ had a great day with Janine (45) and Sally (50) also winning their categories. In addition Huma, Angela and Clare were runners-up. The Men could not quite match this but Tom(60), Andy (65) and Ian (70) all won there categories with Paul , Tony and Jim runners-up.
Matt won the 60 points in League 2, followed by Tim. Janine pipped Paul on the Gun but he had it on Chip time with Christian only seconds behind the two of them and Andy and Richard only a little further back. Five Wilmslow runners separated by 30 seconds must have been quite a race.
Gareth, preparing for his trans Pennine canal run, took League 3 from Tony with Bernard, despite his shingles, third. Then came Huma, Sally, Jon and Amy and finally Andy, nursing his mended knee.
Alan’s a new man. Relegated after a year of injuries he is already looking too good for League 4, although James might give him a fight. Angela, having wintered in Australia, has not taken long to acclimatise. For Gail, Carolyn and Sharon this was a break from their London Marathon training. Ian, Sue, Colin and Clare made-up a big League 4 presence.
Cat had a good League 5 win and may well dominate. Soraya got ahead of Janet then came Elspeth and Trevor.
We picked-up a box full of prizes, some including cash. I’ll put it in the corridor between the changing rooms on Tuesday and then take it into the bar.
This is an excellent course, a scenic run and a well organised race, well worth the journey. Anne and I completed an enjoyable day with a pub lunch, the portion size was generous and, a triumph of willpower, I resisted the healthy option; three roasts with two Yorshire puddings.
Ian