I arrived at Melmerby this morning for the 10k race and the weather was not too bad to be honest, the rain had stopped and there was just a bit of a breeze other than that the conditions seemed quite good for running. I took my place on the starting grid with no worries what so ever about past injuries my only concern was how hard this race was going to be after not racing for 6 months. From the start I latched onto the Back of Mike Burrett of Leeds City and Marc Scott from Richmond Zetland, for the first mile I felt quite comfortable and certainly didn't feel as if I was pushing myself too hard. Andy Halliday ex team mate but who has also changed clubs this year and now running for Bourneville Harriers came along side early on in the race to say hello but then dropped back slightly to run the race at a more even paced effort which is what I should of probably done. On approaching the 2km mark a small gap had appeared between myself and the two lead runners ahead of Burrett and Scott, I had no answer today to respond to trying to catch them up and by the 4km mark a considerable gap had developed. I could hear a couple of runners catching me up from behind and by 5km Andy Hallliday and Mike Jefferies of Billingham managed to catch me up, Jefferies pushed on and once again I was unable to respond through lack of oxygen, my legs felt ok but I just couldn't get enough air into my lungs which was to be expected really. A quick word came from Halliday to see if I was ok to which I just about replied that I was ok just out of steam to put it politely. The last 4km became just about unbearable as I tried to fend off the chasing runners and I can tell you that I was more than pleased to see that finishing line today. Around 34 minutes 18 seconds was my finishing time for 4th place. Scott went on to win the race in around 32 minutes.
I expected to do better today by at least a minute and even though I found it really hard going it was a great feeling to get back racing again, it's the Kirkby Malzeard 10k next Saturday so I had better knuckle down and make a start on making those improvements like I said I could do.
I arrived at Melmerby this morning for the 10k race and the weather was not too bad to be honest, the rain had stopped and there was just a bit of a breeze other than that the conditions seemed quite good for running. I took my place on the starting grid with no worries what so ever about past injuries my only concern was how hard this race was going to be after not racing for 6 months. From the start I latched onto the Back of Mike Burrett of Leeds City and Marc Scott from Richmond Zetland, for the first mile I felt quite comfortable and certainly didn't feel as if I was pushing myself too hard. Andy Halliday ex team mate but who has also changed clubs this year and now running for Bourneville Harriers came along side early on in the race to say hello but then dropped back slightly to run the race at a more even paced effort which is what I should of probably done. On approaching the 2km mark a small gap had appeared between myself and the two lead runners ahead of Burrett and Scott, I had no answer today to respond to trying to catch them up and by the 4km mark a considerable gap had developed. I could hear a couple of runners catching me up from behind and by 5km Andy Hallliday and Mike Jefferies of Billingham managed to catch me up, Jefferies pushed on and once again I was unable to respond through lack of oxygen, my legs felt ok but I just couldn't get enough air into my lungs which was to be expected really. A quick word came from Halliday to see if I was ok to which I just about replied that I was ok just out of steam to put it politely. The last 4km became just about unbearable as I tried to fend off the chasing runners and I can tell you that I was more than pleased to see that finishing line today. Around 34 minutes 18 seconds was my finishing time for 4th place. Scott went on to win the race in around 32 minutes. 
I expected to do better today by at least a minute and even though I found it really hard going it was a great feeling to get back racing again, it's the Kirkby Malzeard 10k next Saturday so I had better knuckle down and make a start on making those improvements like I said I could do.
4 comments:
Well done Gary. 4th is a good start for your retun to racing after so long away.
Well done on a good effort today Gary. You'll no doubt be back in winning form soon. Cheers John
Thanks for the comments Lena and John, it's much appreciated.
Well done. It's nice to read that your back to racing again and I see you trying to stay with the front runners early on(top photo). All the best for next Saturday.
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