Tough night in Otley.

The rain had stopped by the time I got to Otley ready for the 10 mile race but it was windy as chuff, at least I was feeling much better than I did before the race on Saturday but I was still concerned about my lack of form so the plan was to take the first mile steady. The race started and for once I actually managed to stick with the race plan and for the first couple of miles everything was spot on, from two miles me and a Bingley runner pulled away and straight away I knew I was on the back foot as he was pushing the pace along at a pace I was begining to find uncomfortable. Around the 4 1/2 mile mark after going up hill for some time I felt it would be wiser to ease back slightly or should I say I had no bloody choice as the Bingley runner pulled away. By 5 1/2 miles it was time for the descent and I opened up the throttle and selected top gear, the legs felt ok going down hill so the chase was on. The gap wasn't closing so I hit the all out attack mode and caught Mr Bingley in no time, the feel good factor didn't last long as it was time for another long climb and yet again I suffered like hell but managed not to loose ground. Half way down the last long down hill section and feeling I was faster down hill I thought I would give my rival some pain back and see how he liked it. Blasting down the hill he matched me stride for stride so it was down to the last mile which was flat. The down hill job must of worked as I started to pull away and a good gap opened up, at last he had cracked just as I was about to crack myself. Then with half mile to go he came storming past me and left me unable to respond as I was absolutely knackered, so Mr Bingley took a well deserved victory with me 8 seconds behind.
The Otley 10 is named due to the fact that you look 10 years older at the finish line than what you did at the start line. It's just a coincidence that it's 10 miles. Mr Bingley was Tim Midgely.
And finaly I don't know why but I'm still going well below my capabilies but still enjoying the racing non the less. I just hope my form returns in time for the Rainton 10k in two weeks time.