Running race 30:28 [5] 5.7 mi (5:21 / mi)
I arrived at Wintersett with Hatt to crank out a 16 mile mile reps and 400s marathon/HM session. I was zoo frustrated at the perfect pb conditions and rued another missed opportunity.
I checked my phone quickly and saw that many races had been cancelled and that Mike Burrett of Leeds AC had decided to head to Ward Green 6 mile race (10 mins from my parents house).
After some deliberation, within 30 mins of reading his FB post I had my race number on.
I was hopeful that a strong field would appear due to all cancellations as I wanted a good arse kicking to get me ready for the Yorkshires.
As it turned out there was no stellar line up but a very strong group of people around my ability including, Mike, Bertie Houghton, Aiden Johnson and Dan Kestrel.
I was feeling tired on waking but more spritely having spent some time in the lovely crisp morning- my guts were a little dicky.
The gun went and I set off controlled, but was immediately concerned that I was i about 8th. We quickly reached the 1st mile long steep descent of the 2 lap course, where I was dropped and over taken.
Try as I might, I could not get the wheels turning. As we arrived at the flat lower section I settle into a rhythm and battled alongside Dan to stay in touch with the lead pack of 6.
We then arrived at the first mile long climb, fortunately here many paid the price of an aggressive start and I rounded the hill in third.
Game on..for about 30 seconds, until I got dropped further by Mike and a strong looking Aiden on the long descent. Despite trying, I couldn't get above 5.22 pace on the bottom section and consolidated the long uphill as I watched Mike and Aiden battle for the spoils.
I finished in 3rd. Complete with a mixed bag of emotions..
Pleased, I didn't go all the way to Ribble to ultimately be disappointed
Concerned, why was that so hard and where has my fitness gone?
Optimistic, at least I've had the blow out that I so often need before a target race.
Anxious, what does this mean for the Y-word?!
Soft, I was a bit of a fanny!
Anyway, god runs from Mike and an apparently ever improving Aiden.
Running 29:30 [3] 4.5 mi (6:33 / mi)
Interestingly my HR was pretty high on the warm up..
but then normalised after my stride so may have been a HR monitor error