National 6 Stage Road Relays

Like always the forums were busy with predictions with who will run, who will win, and yet like always it is about who turns up on the day.  This year though the rumours were that NEB were lining up a stellar team, with the inclusion of Mo, add in the fact that Geele was running well from his performance at the Southerns, plus all the other good guys they have and it was obvious that if this team did turn up they would be pretty much in a class of their own.  Fair play to them as this was their day and they smashed the opposition.

Having said that the rest of the teams still had medals to play for.  From a Bels point of view, we knew we had to raise our game from the Southers where AFD turned us over and then right at the last minute Mark Miles Pulled out.  Fortunately for us, AFD lost A Vernon so it was probably all even again.  Throw in a Leeds, Bedford, Birchfield and a whole host of other clubs and it was going to be tight for the minor medals.  Whilst NEB were busy breaking the course record, the rest of us were playing out one of the most exciting and closest races for the other medals, which was great!  I had the last leg once again, hoping that if it did come down to a sprint finish then I might just be able to get the better over whoever I might be sprinting to the line with.  

As the race unfolded it continued to be close, all our guys were solid and had raised their game from the Southern.  A little scare as Nick got caught in  the changeover and missed about 6 seconds.  Suppose he didn't expect Sharpy so soon, but the old man had a great first leg, bringing us home in striking distance.  Although Leeds did get a slight edge over everybody, it was leg 5 when Wicksy and Thommo brought the two teams of Bels and AFD to the front (of this little battle) with Leeds right there followed by Bedford.  Standing at the top of the hill I could see how close it was.  I had been chatting to the team manager and had thought about the option of going off really slowly, letting it all close up and saving myself for the sprint finish.  Like all good plans (and hopefully all good competitors) as soon as I was allowed to go that thought went out the window.  Knowing that Ben Moreau and Matt Janes would hand over together and possibly work together in reeling me in, I just got my head down and worked hard.  I'm not sure there is any other way to run this course.  In my opinion its about hurting yourself and holding on.  Ben kindly wrote in his blog that I paced myself well, but the reality of it was I was going as hard as I could.  The first half was tough as I knew they were close and could hear all the shouts from the crowd.  I think that they managed to take a few seconds out of my lead at the turn, but fortunately for me as I turned there was a back marker from another team further up the road.  It was the first person I had seen and it really helped me focus and I just dug in with all I had left, knowing that if I could get back to the downhill bit towards the lake I might be safe.  Although I felt I was struggling I must have been going pretty well as I believe that I managed to extend the lead back to what it was at the start of the leg, and I managed to hold on and bring the Bels home in a well deserved and thankful Silver medal.  For me it was great, a 17.22 leg having had so many problems over the summer and to still be running in lots of pain everytime I get out the door, to run a PB by 15 seconds on this course was pretty encouraging, especially as I ran the whole race blind as to what was going on behind me.  

Sharpy kept telling me at the Southerns the only reason I was about 25 seconds quicker than him was because I was on first leg and he ran all on his own which made his run more impressive, so given his opinion (he still didn't run as quick as me this weekend despite being on 1st!) I'll take 25 seconds off my time and call it a sub 17 performance ;-)

Great days racing from all the boys and all the teams, well done to everybody.  I think this was a big step up in performance across the board.  Our time was the 5th fastest ever I think, and so would have won all but 4 races.  The depth down to 10th place was also very encouraging.

Cheers

Sp8y