Manchester University Relays

This race wasn't on my original plan a week ago.  I was going to be there working for Sweatshop, assisting with the prizes and course set up and selling product.  Then the University asked me midweek if I would run a leg for their old boys team.  The event is always a good bit of fun, very laidback and a good opportunity to dig those cross country spikes out for the first time and get a feel for it again.  I love Cross Country but that first race reminds you how to run it and how not to run it.  Cross Country is relentless.  You don't let up at any point especially over 2.2 miles.

Some of the old boys had set up a refreshment stall next to my stall which allowed me to run my leg while they kept an eye on things (and did me proud on the selling front - good job Ben!).  I was given the first leg and was out of the blocks quickly, straight into a lead for the first few hundred metres.  I ran the first leg last year and was left for dead so was surprised to be straight into the lead and it feel so easy.  Matt Jackson, Alex Tovey and Luke Caldwell were also up there and all three had pretty good summers on the track so it was a case of contrasting backgrounds here.  As we reached the furthest point on the course, Michael Williams came alongside us and immediately surged into a lead which he slowly extended.  I'd been caught napping a bit at the back of the group to not at least try to cover this.  Jackson was in 2nd, Caldwell in 3rd, and me and Tovey contesting 4th.  We were quickly into the penultimate field and I realised there wasn't that far to go.  I put my foot down, went past Caldwell, reeled in Jackson and set about closing down on Williams.  Tovey and Caldwell were coming along for the ride, it was too late and the race was over so quickly.  Williams was first back in 10;32 followed by Tovey finishing like an express train for a 10:36, Caldwell isn't on the results but dipped by me and I ran 10:44.

Williams and Runnerslife athlete Nick Goolab shared the fastest leg of 10:32.  I don't think my 10:44 was bad at all for where I'm at but I want to look at this report before the next time I do this event - the race is over so quickly you really can't afford to switch off or take your foot off the gas.  All in all a good bit of fun though and blows the cobwebs away ready for the 6 stage this week!