National 12 Stage Relays

I'm sure as you've seen on all the forums and websites (apart from the UKA one), we had a quite a good day at Sutton Park on Saturday. Not only did we win the rcae but we set a club record as well, thanks to a great effort by 12 quality men.

The day started with Captain Sharp giving a little prep talk about how he had a dream, it was very emotional. We then set off to the course to do the business. I warmed up with fellow junior Ronnie Sparke and we had a good chat about the time he locked himself in the bathroom in Jordan. I was assigned to leg 6, and by that time we were in the lead, but only by a few seconds. I set off and within 30 seconds the Newham runner was up my ass. But I stayed relaxed and wound it up a bit and as went up the hill to take the first right turn I had opened a gap. I tried to maintain a hard pace all the way home and in the end opened up a 20 second gap, then the other 6 guys brought the team home to club record setting performance. Within the 4:04:43 I occupied 14:45. This was a slower time than last year but it was windier and the times were a bit slower than last year overall. Last year to get in the top 10 fastest times you had to run roughly sub 14:15 and this year you only had to run 14:35, so it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'd also only been training for a couple of weeks after the break so I was ok with it.

The race was done and dusted and it was time to focus on the after party at Oceana!! I got home, had a quick shower and got some food and attempted to iron my shirt, a domestic skill I haven't mastered yet. Steve and Maria then picked me up and we headed to a place called Baracuda for pre-drinks. The team met up, had a few drinks and some laughs. We then headed over to the venue. As soonas we got in Steve was directing everyone to the cheese room, didn't even give us a choice, just dragged us there. I had a great night and kudos has to go out to Russell Dessaux-Chin, who within 10 seconds of being on the dancefloor, already had some bird rubbing up against him. And as always, it was a pleasure seeing Will Cockerel at work.

Congrats to the whole team and a massive thank you to Alan and Pat Mead for their flawless organisation skills before and on the day.