Well, following on from last week, I pretty much did it. I allowed myself one fast run at parkrun on the Saturday and ran at a steady pace for the rest of the week save for a couple of segments that I have discovered on Strava whereby you can see which runner has the “record” on a certain section of road somewhere up and down the land. I targeted a couple of these, approximately a mile in length and beat the existing best times which was satisfying, although restraint is the watchword here as this could get an extremely addictive and pointless pastime for a competitive old fox like me!
During our holiday, I purchased a weekly rover ticket for the local steam train that covers ten stations from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. Thrifty as ever, I determinedly got my money’s worth out of the ticket by hopping on board after a day’s sightseeing and riding out to a different station before running home, trying to find the way back. It was great fun and a fabulous way to explore yet more of our often very beautiful country. I stumbled across a truly spectacular cricket ground in the village of Stogumber and I shall always remember the run along Dunster Marsh and Blue Anchor beach at sunset even if I got lost after leaving the coastline and accidentally running into Watchet harbour!
At the ripe old age of 41, I attracted my very first wolf-whistle whilst in the act of running and the week of increasing mileage was topped off with a surprise first place at Minehead parkrun. I had ambitions of winning after finishing fourth the week prior. Two of the three runners ahead of me were unlikely to be there as they too were tourists. If the lad who ran a strong second didn’t show and no tasty newcomers arrived on the scene, I could be well in the mix. I led from the off, charging off excitedly and probably way too fast. At the first hairpin which took seemingly forever to reach, I was very closely followed by a very handy veteran from Barnsley but third place was way way back. I knew I was good for top two but desperately wanted the first place so I knew I had to work hard from here to make it count. I didn’t want to give the second place guy the psychological advantage of having caught me up even if I fancied myself in a sprint – I had to run him out of the race. Ploughing on, I pushed hard into the stiff sea breeze coming off the Bristol Channel and with half a mile to go, I started to open up more of a gap and took the win by around 20 seconds. Ten quicker than the week before on a slightly drier surface but front-running presents a different challenge you don’t get from chasing.
We got home later that afternoon in time for the Badgers club 5th birthday celebrations, brilliantly organised by Clare Whetton. There was an inflatable assault course which seemed a good idea at the time but it did for a few people who attacked it somewhat over-zealously. This old fool was one such individual. I charged into the tunnel like a paratrooper escaping machine gun fire and consequently smashed my head and neck awkwardly and have been in some discomfort ever since. They say never look back and with a neck injury, this is easily achieved. That said, it hasn’t hindered my running this week so far.
On Sunday, I joined up with a hilariously hungover Dave Jackson and a sober Aaron Chetwynd. We knocked out 11 miles relatively easier. I started with a sprint up Keys Hill setting a new record – since broken a few days later as the younger competitive Baddesley boys flex their muscles. Astounding myself amongst anyone else who knows me, I have woken up early enough to get a run in before work for three of the last four days. The one exception being Wednesday when I was too tired following a knackering club training session.
I hadn’t trained with my club since July owing mainly to injury but more recently holidays so I was a little nervous beforehand. I thought about joining the intermediate group in an effort to break myself back in gently and not get carried away, however last time I did this I felt I didn’t get anything out of the session so I ran in the fast group and one thing led to another! I was in a sub-group of the quickest four club runners and proceeded to do my very best to keep up with the fastest of all, Danny Warren, which I did. I could tell he always had a little bit extra if needed and this was none more evident than at the end where I required a good lie down for a minute or two to recover and he didn’t! I’d got five miles in my legs from the morning plus I’d jogged down to training but I felt my form and energy was good. I’ll never be at his level again but hopefully I pushed him along a bit.
I am full of enthusiasm at the moment and need to be mindful of over-doing it. I feel good and am really enjoying my running, partly because I feel I have missed so much over the summer which is without doubt my favourite season to run in with the weather, light and feel-good vibe. As the nights draw in, I skipped club tonight to get a longer run in with an earlier start as well as give my mate Dave a helping hand with his marathon training. I thought I would hold him back but it turned out to be the opposite as he continues to batter himself when normal logic would suggest some rest might be in order. He had an 11 mile head start on me and manfully ploughed on but he was suffering which is never nice to see. Then, better to suffer in training than on race day and I have every confidence he will bag a great time in his race and enjoy the glow of satisfaction afterwards that makes it all worthwhile. The same glow I am chasing, only seven months further down the line!