Southern 6 Stage Relays

This day was always going to be a rush for me as the only flight back was at 4.50pm out of Gatwick (well ones that were relatively cheap).  Originally I thought that the race started at 2 but being 2.30 it was really pushing it.  Due to this I had no option but to go first leg, and literally run off to the car and back to the airport in the hope I would make the flight.  (Read about the rest of the story in the blog)

Anyway to the race, we knew our team was strong in theory but also that we had a few injuries and a few of the guys, myself included, just not really knowing where we were fitness wise.  For me an injury ruined summer and nearly three months off have been horrible.  I have been back running for maybe just over a month, but I have been unable to do anything of any quality.  I have tried and been to the track, tried putting the flats on, but as soon as I get up to any sort of speed the achilles in both feet are agony.  Clearly the time off and orthotics I now have are not doing the job and surgery probably the only option, although not at this age, maybe if I was 5 years younger!  I can only train in the evenings as the mornings are too painful, and can't handle double days of any note, so I try and get out for up to an hour a day, which is all I have been doing.  Having no benchmark for performance on runs over here and having all the runs up and down hills, I really felt I was in rubbish shape.  Some runs have been horrible, just feeling really flat and slow but I have soldiered on, firstly because I am stubborn and secondly because I am the current captain of Belgrave and have obligations and thirdly I love the relays!  Funny standing on the line waiting for the gun to go, training partner from yesteryear when I was at Uni the rejuvenated Ben Whitby, and former International Junior Colleague Dave Mitchinson plus myself hoping to give some of the youngsters a run for their money!  I knew Ben would be strong given his recent Marathon and Half exploits so when the gun went and some kids went tearing away, I was content to sit in and just wait.  Feeling not too bad, after about 3 mins or so Ben indeed started after the leaders and I simply tried to hold on as best as I could.  His effort pulled himself, me and the young AFD lad behind away from the rest of the field but on the incline up to the second lap Ben dropped me too.  It was a case of keeping concentration as best as possible as I was hurting already!  Fortunately I dug deep and managed to find another wind so to speak with a couple of mins to go and managed to pull away from the guy behind and keep the distance to me and Ben respectable, coming home in 2nd and in a very surprised 18.03 and the 5th fastest of the day.  Very surprised for an old guy, but very pleased.  Aim now is to keep the injury as best as it can be and continue to work on training as and when I am able, then see what to do for the winter. 

Would just like to extend my congratulations to AFD for a great win as I was unable to on the day.  As usual relays are about consistency and getting all the guys available on any given Sunday! something that is actually very hard to do.   AFD managed to do this and deserved their victory, but no doubt we are all looking at trying to strengthen our teams for the Battle Royal that is the National 6 Stage.  I am certainly looking forward to it.....

Neil