Hell Wath that is, at the Ripon 10 mile. I was hoping for a nice Sunny day and it was just that, fantastic for spectators but not so good for runners. My race plan was to start steady and build up gradually, from the Gun Jim Bulman from N.Y.Moors took up the lead role and set a perfect pace for the first mile. I slowly and gradually pulled away at the end of the first long climb. Them first three miles where a good tester that's if you needed testing that is. Hilly, rough, grass, bridges, gravel and much more. At the 4 mile stage it was time for a go on the Golden mile up Studley Roger Deer Park. Bloody Hell! that climb has got a lot steeper over the last twelve months, i was well and truly pleased to see the summit. As i turned back onto the old course i felt i could push on more confidently now that i knew the route from here. Route knowledge is priceless on a tough day like this. After the long descent it was a turn back into the fields to Hell Wath finish. I set off for a sprint finish trying to pass the Marshall on his bike, i didn't quite do it especially as i realised i was in the wrong field. I hadn't realised how far through them fields we had gone at the start, i managed a quick breather before my second sprint finish. 54 minutes 40 seconds. Jim Bulman coming home 2nd just over 2 minutes behind. With Bulman being on my Hit List it turned out to be a very successful day all-round. Thirsk and Sowerby took the team prize with myself, and the very fast improving Phil Utley and Walter Busuttil our Triathlete star. With this race being a long distance counter in the Blacksheep Series i can now miss the Burn Valley 1/2 marathon. Not a chance ! Wind, rain , sun or snow i'll be there for another go at that great race that should not be missed.
Edinburgh Marathon is now only 2 weeks away, excitement has been replaced with nervousness, which will then become dread by the end of next week.
I have no races scheduled for next week so it's a 20 miler for me. The training manuals advise against this but my own training diaries prove otherwise. So if it doesn't work out at least i can say, there spot on them manuals.
Edinburgh Marathon is now only 2 weeks away, excitement has been replaced with nervousness, which will then become dread by the end of next week.
I have no races scheduled for next week so it's a 20 miler for me. The training manuals advise against this but my own training diaries prove otherwise. So if it doesn't work out at least i can say, there spot on them manuals.
No comments:
Post a Comment