Southern 6 Stage

This was my first race in...well a long time. However my approach to the race was different than usual. If I was going to race Steve laid down a condition which I had to fulfil. See he knew I hadn't been back running long so I wasn't going to be at my best. So he said in order for me to run I have to forget about my time, forget about the people around me and just get round. He wasn't going to let me run if I was going to get worked up over a bad time. I had only been running for something in the region of four weeks so to expect something amazing is completely out of the question. I agreed to this and I was drafted in to Belgrave's team a long side Steve, Richard Ward, Jonathon Blackledge, Owar and Dan Mulhare.

I was put in leg 4 and the 3 runners prior to me had put us in 4^th position. I set off and at that time the gaps were fairly big. Steve told me to go off fairly steady and try to pick up over the second leg. I didn't exactly follow his instructions and probably went off a bit too hard. When I started running I got all excited about being back in a race I couldn't help myself. Even so after a few minutes of running I caught the runner in front of me and brought us into the medals. At that point the next team were too far away and I could only concentrate on chasing down the lapped runners.

I tried to keep a good stride length the whole way round that first lap and get to halfway still feeling ok. However when I went through a lap I thought "There's no way I'm getting round this next lap!", it's fair to say I was getting pretty tired. But like the first lap I tried to hold a good pace and make it home. The second lap seemed to go by quicker than the first which was relief and I got back home in 18:21.

Now as I agreed I wouldn't think about my time I'm not going to say anything about it and just talk about how I felt. I think I was found wanting in terms of endurance. Not having many miles under the belt showed as it was hard work getting round that second lap. I know it shouldn't be easy but I think I felt like I slowed quite a bit. I don't know if this is actually the case as I haven't seen any splits. But the main thing is I got round for the team and it wasn't a complete disaster. One comment I will make about my time was that it was quicker than Steve's.

With regards to the team race things are looking good for the National 6 Stage. It may be a close one with Newham still having runners to bring in and luckily for us Aldershot may lose a few guys. Looking at the Midland and Northern results I don't think we should kid ourselves, all three podium places are going to Southern teams. I joke!! I'm sure both regions will be bringing strong contingents.