Slower but happy at Kilburn 7.

With missing so much training over the last five weeks I had no plans of doing well today at the Kilburn 7 mile race, which in an odd way is quite good. With no pre-race nerves all I had to worry about was actually enjoying the race. I knew Ian Fisher of Otley was turning up and then on arriving at Kilburn I saw Darran Bilton of Leeds City so there wasn't much chance of winning this year. The race started and as we settled into a good rhythm I decided to take the front and up the pace to see if I could put a tiny ounce of doubt in their minds so that they thought I was in some unbelievable form. Unfortunately as expected by three quarters of a mile the effort caught up with me and I began to suffer. By half way I would say there was an equal gap between me and Fisher in 2nd and between Fisher and Bilton in 1st. The road from 3 miles to 5 miles is really hard especially if your in a chasing position and are wanting to beat someone ahead. It becomes a real mental challenge as you endure the pain trying to keep the same pace going as you steadily climb upwards, I feel this is where most of the time can be won or lost. The last mile and half is rolling downhill so even though you seem to be flying along so is the person in front. Bilton won the race in 36 mins 30 seconds, Fisher not to pleased today with his performance being a minute slower than his best ran 38 mins 13 seconds and myself 30 seconds slower than last year ran 38 mins 44 secs but pleased to of done so well on so little training. Young Tom Bean from York Acorn was 4th in 40 mins approx, having beaten me twice earlier in the year at cross country it was good to get some revenge.
Burton Leonard 10k is on the cards for next week which is another counting race in the Blacksheep Race series. No easy 10k race but a very scenic multi terrain course which will set me up nicely for the James Herriot Trail Race the week after.
My foot is now aching again after the race but hopefully I should be able to get back training tomorrow, surely I can't miss another week of training.