Southern 12 Stage- Race Report

Pre-Race

So we're back on the roads again after 5 months in the mud, and it kicks off with the regional 12 stage championships. I don't know if it's like this for all regions, but I know in the Southern you have to finish in the top 25 to qualify for the National championships. Of course Belgrave are hoping to be comfortably within that top 25 and book our place for Nationals. We haven't actually won a relay this season yet, so I think it might be time to get out of this dry spell. If you are at the course on Sunday, I'm sure you'll be seeing the likes of Aldershot, Bedford and Newham trying to kill our dreams.

Hopefully my contribution to this quest will be good enough. This is a race where all 12 men make a difference and I want to make sure I put my fair share in. Since the National training has been getting better and better and this week has been especially good. I won't ruin the training log write up by telling you what I've done, but I think I'm still improving after coming off the National cross.

Obviously I can't give away much about the starting 12, but I can say I am doing a short leg. Mr Sharp is still being protective of me and keeping me off the long, I quote "I couldn't do that to you". Even though he was complaining earlier in the week about doing a long and I said I would swap with him, he remained unselfish and has decided to put himself through the hell that is 5 miles around Milton Keynes. I also look forward to the return of Phil Wickes in a pair of Asics racing flats. It's been too long since we've seen him burn round a race and he says he's not 100%, but we all know a 50% Wicksy is good enough to make any team.

Good luck to anyone racing!!

Race Report

As it says on the Belgrave website, the Southern 12 stage medal streak goes on! Once again we were in the top 3 and this time it was my turn to bring the team home. As the race is 4 hours long, leg 12 is far too long to wait right from the off so I didn't arrive until around leg 6 to see we were in 4th with Newham way out in front, Bedford and Aldershot chasing with us not far back.

Over the course of the next few legs we moved up to 2nd and as I set off we were 5 mins off Newham thanks to massive legs from Mo Farah and Moumin Geele. Steve told me to set off hard and then ease down going into a large part of the course where there was wind and pick up coming home with the wind behind me. So I went out hard and tried to hold it all the way home. It was pretty hard work and I think I only saw one person the whole time. My chest was tight and it was hard to breath but that's what happens when you nail it from the start. I was pleased with that run as it's the first time in a while I've run flat out in a race but it's something I need to get used to as that's what track racing is like. Even better news is my time was 30s quicker than last year and I was the 4th fastest short leg of the day, so I've taken more confidence away from that.

All in all a good run out and nice indicator of where I am compared to last year. With a little stint out in Portugal hopefully I'll be in better shape for the National 12 stage.