Sunday April 13th.
Mo Farah’s race plan was to give the best marathon runners in the world a 30 second srart at 13 miles and then pick them off, as they slowed, in the second half. Fascinating viewing if it even started to look possible but, as we know from our own experience, race plans are secondary to what’s in your legs on the day. But that’s for the video and the afternoon, as is City vs. Liverpool . We’ve got bigger fish to fry; Roy and I are off to the Whitley 10k.
So the usual game, how many points today? Those doing London are obviously out and the Manchester Marathon runners ought to be resting and, if not, should be knackered, but Whitley is more popular than Mow Cop (28 from Wilmslow) but number should be below Knype Pool and Cloud 9, so high 30s? League Four, however, is likely to be more competitive, perhaps close to the 10 at Cloud 9. Being the first road race of the Series, it shifts the balance in weighing-up the odds against club rivals.
Cloudy, 9o, bit windy but good running conditions. Whitley is a pleasant run through country lanes, undulating to start, gently down in the middle but predominantly up over the last 3kms., at my pace a minute slower than Trafford or Arley.
Jim was 4th. and 1st. M40, Barry 5th., Trevor 6th. and 1st.M50, Tom 10th. and 2nd. M50, Mike 12th. James 26th. and Steve 39th.
| 4 | Jim Pendrill | 36:02 | 1 | M40 | ||
| 5 | Barry Archbold | 36:12 | ||||
| 6 | Trevor Morris | 36:19 | 1 | M50 | ||
| 10 | Tom McGaff | 37:03 | 2 | M50 | ||
| 12 | Mike Hill | 37:42 | 4 | M40 | ||
| 26 | James Eyre | 39:39 | 16 | M | ||
| 35 | Mick Fairs | 40:37 | 1 | M60 | ||
| 37 | Stephen Bunker | 40:51 | 10 | M40 | ||
| 39 | Steve Dempsey | 40:57 | 8 | M50 | ||
| 48 | Matt Taylor | 41:23 | 15 | M40 | ||
| 55 | Paul Norris | 41:47 | 13 | M50 | ||
| 57 | Richard Lawson | 42:22 | 18 | M40 | ||
| 73 | Louisa Harrison | 43:21 | 1 | F35 | ||
| 81 | Tim Billington | 43:42 | 5 | M60 | ||
| 91 | Andrew Dodd | 44:30 | 28 | M40 | ||
| 104 | Gareth Trimble | 45:05 | 33 | M40 | ||
| 110 | Huma Rahman | 45:29 | 2 | F45 | ||
| 126 | Chris Cannon | 46:15 | 25 | M50 | ||
| 129 | John Porteous | 46:37 | 7 | M60 | ||
| 135 | Angela Maziere | 46:47 | 3 | F45 | ||
| 145 | Kate Sutton | 47:05 | 5 | F45 | ||
| 152 | Clare Hawkes | 47:32 | 6 | F45 | ||
| 153 | Jonathan Harper | 47:39 | 47 | M40 | ||
| 154 | Ian Ashcroft | 47:45 | 9 | M60 | ||
| 167 | Simon Fenton | 48:34 | 12 | M60 | ||
| 174 | Gail Hill | 48:49 | 9 | F35 | ||
| 182 | Catriona Marshall | 49:20 | 8 | F45 | ||
| 206 | James Gowin | 51:14 | 70 | M | ||
| 245 | Judith Davidson | 54:10 | 1 | F55 | ||
| 251 | Roy Pownall | 54:40 | 24 | M60 | ||
| 265 | Elspeth Gibson | 55:48 | 17 | F35 | ||
| 266 | Belinda Carp | 55:54 | 15 | F45 | ||
| 328 | Janet Wyles | 04:08 | 24 | F45 |
Louisa took 60 points in the Ladies League and was 1st. F35. The rapidly improving Huma was our second lady and the race’s 2nd.F45, then came Angela, 3rd.F45, Kate back after a year (?) injured and Clare.
Mick won League 2 and also 1st.M60. Matt took 59 points, Paul 58 and Louisa 57.
Steve won League 3 from Richard, Tim, Andy (who gained revenge on Huma), Gareth , Chris and Kate.
Huma made it four out of four in League Four. John took 59, Angela 58, then Clare, Jon, Ian, Simon Gail and James.
By 3k, I had passed Jan, who ‘did’ her calf and Gail, on a recovery run from her big marathon PB. Huma was away from the beginning, but I could see John, Jon, Angela, and Claire. By 7k John had started to pull away, then Angela, en route for a PB, also left us, by 8k Clare was beginning to lose Jon, who was now coming back to me. At 9k I felt I might catch him but he steadied. Meanwhile Kate, who was just going to jog round at Whitley, but give it a go at Chester, effortlessly glided through.
Cat’s sugar free diet continues to pay dividends. Judith was back running and taking 1st. F55 and 59 points in League 5. Roy was delighted for a man condemned by the medics never to run again. Elspeth who, like Kate, was on her first race back after close to a year, edged-out Belinda who sought solace in a tasty-looking burger. Hopefully Jan’s injury is not too serious.
Ian
For the record – I wasn’t seeking “solace” from a burger, Ian. Far from it. I was seeking the most nutritionally balanced option on offer, and I chose a bacon barm (protein/carbs/fat) over a chocolate biscuit (sugar/fat). Clearly some people disagreed with my choice, and made sure that I knew it, but I remembered the advice to eat some protein within 20 minutes of exercise and that’s what I was trying to do.
Those who know me know that I struggle with my weight constantly and as a relatively new and inexperienced runner I lack confidence, but I am working really hard – at both my running and my weight control. I’m well aware that I was the slowest WRC runner at Whitley, but it’s not for lack of effort. More likely, it was overtraining in recent weeks that slowed me down at Whitley. So if I’m going to be judged, please let it be on the facts.
That said, thanks for another (mostly) great race report, Ian, and well done to all those at WRC who achieved great results and won prizes. Welcome back, Elspeth and Kate, it’s good to have you back in the races. And many thanks to those who support and encourage my efforts. They know who they are and are very much appreciated!
Another great day out for Wilmslow RC showing dominance in all categories on not the easiest of 10k courses. No hat or sleeves but retaining the pink gloves proved the correct choice and I too had the bacon barm to avoid ‘going funny’ post race – interesting discussion on the journey home re such matters and will bring along my book tomorrow, Belinda. (A Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition by Anita Bean).
Clare
That looks like a great finish: Jim, Barry, Trevor all on the finish field together. Well run everyone
Crikey, wish I had been at Whitley, I like the idea of seeking solace in a burger, but one may not have been enough for me!