For the first time in at least three year's I took part in the Ken Dixon Christmas Handicap around Timble village and Swinsty reservoir, which is a good five miles north of Otley.
It was the first club handicap I've done in a long while. I haven't done many this year to be honest.
It was a nice sunny winter's morning, and twenty four member's took part. I didn't taper off for it, cause I'm in marathon training. I also sank a few ales the night before in Idle village with people I know from Idle AC.
Weary eyes and bright sunshine don't mix. So sunglasses had to be worn to race in this time.
I took in a sensible warm up just to wake me up and encourage the early runner's setting off.
The last three were Andrew Robertshaw, Jamil Parapia and myself. I started off a minute behind Jamil.
The first runner I passed was Phil Robinson who arrived late. As I got to the top of the long climb. I could just make out Jamil in front. Jamil looked to be running very well. Seeing Jamil in front did encourage me to make an effort to chase him down. After the first loop of two done, we passed the start onto the dam.
Even here, Jamil looked good. I think seeing Andrew in front made him try harder to catch him. Going around the north side of Swinsty, Jamil passed Andrew on the road. I was just behind them now. First I got Andrew and then Jamil.
After passing them both, Jamil made a good effort to latch on to me. It wasn't until after crossing the second bridge by the car park. That I realised I could hear a runner breathing heavily behind. Thinking it was Jamil tailing me. I kept calm, while putting in a bit more effort to break away.
By now, there was the other club member's to chase down. I finished second after Michael Pickard who had a blinder of a run. Jamil finished around 23 seconds later.
I also broke the course record I set some time ago by 45 seconds? The new course is around 100 meters short of the old one. So I think I trimmed half a minute off. I was surprised by the result as I didn't feel stuffed by it at the finish. Having Jamil, Andrew and Rogan to chase did help I suppose.
On the training side for the Yorkshire XC on the 6th January, and Mumbai marathon on the 21st January for GB. Things are going well, after my bad patch in October.
Training feels like I'm on automatic. Most of it is still off road in the mud.
It was the first club handicap I've done in a long while. I haven't done many this year to be honest.
It was a nice sunny winter's morning, and twenty four member's took part. I didn't taper off for it, cause I'm in marathon training. I also sank a few ales the night before in Idle village with people I know from Idle AC.
Weary eyes and bright sunshine don't mix. So sunglasses had to be worn to race in this time.
I took in a sensible warm up just to wake me up and encourage the early runner's setting off.
The last three were Andrew Robertshaw, Jamil Parapia and myself. I started off a minute behind Jamil.
The first runner I passed was Phil Robinson who arrived late. As I got to the top of the long climb. I could just make out Jamil in front. Jamil looked to be running very well. Seeing Jamil in front did encourage me to make an effort to chase him down. After the first loop of two done, we passed the start onto the dam.
Even here, Jamil looked good. I think seeing Andrew in front made him try harder to catch him. Going around the north side of Swinsty, Jamil passed Andrew on the road. I was just behind them now. First I got Andrew and then Jamil.
After passing them both, Jamil made a good effort to latch on to me. It wasn't until after crossing the second bridge by the car park. That I realised I could hear a runner breathing heavily behind. Thinking it was Jamil tailing me. I kept calm, while putting in a bit more effort to break away.
By now, there was the other club member's to chase down. I finished second after Michael Pickard who had a blinder of a run. Jamil finished around 23 seconds later.
I also broke the course record I set some time ago by 45 seconds? The new course is around 100 meters short of the old one. So I think I trimmed half a minute off. I was surprised by the result as I didn't feel stuffed by it at the finish. Having Jamil, Andrew and Rogan to chase did help I suppose.
On the training side for the Yorkshire XC on the 6th January, and Mumbai marathon on the 21st January for GB. Things are going well, after my bad patch in October.
Training feels like I'm on automatic. Most of it is still off road in the mud.
posted by Ian Fisher at 10:46 PM
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