Winning Ways.

Today was the Rainton 10k which was also a counting race for me in the Blacksheep Race Series Championship. On the run to work Friday morning I tested myself on a 2 mile section which I have done many times so I know exactly what fitness level I'm at, thankfully the data said I was in better shape than before Kirkby Malzeard 10k. The race was also very important to me as I would be coming up against Fergus Meade, both of us have two wins and had not squared up to each other up until today.I opted for a fast start to the race even though it was blistering hot as I wanted to make sure the winner at least suffered. Luckily I managed to keep my lead to the finish and some people commented that I looked comfortable but to be honest I was absolutely knackered and could feel myself getting red hot in sections of the race where there was no draft. Meade was in second place with my team mate Andrew Halliday right behind him, both of which were making life hard for each other, then in the last half mile Halliday attacked and passed Meade and in doing so opened up a good size gap which he held all the way to the finishing line. Meade 3rd and another team mate Richard Hall came in 4th. What a team ! Unlike that England football team.
I would say I'm still around 1 minute slower that what I should be doing over 10k but that win at Rainton today was right up there with some of my best running moments.
Burn Valley Half Marathon next weekend will have to be run very differently than a normal half marathon if it's going to be hot like today, extra slow first 7 miles sounds about just right.
Keith Richards ex Swaledale / N.Y.M.AC - workmate, mate, running informer and not forgetting the man that tells me all the routes off road. Was not too well last Thursday to say the least, but take it easy and I'm hoping/praying /wishing to see you back to full health soon.