I’m back. Sorry
its been a while, but truth be told, between writing a dissertation, training
and taking university exams there isn’t much time left. A real uphill battle!
Nevertheless, I can now
fill you all in. Whoop.
Sit back and take a seat!
Durham Cathedral
Cross Country Relays
This was my first
race since returning to Newcastle after a relaxing Christmas break. It was
tough. I found it hard after a lot of travelling back up to the North East as
well as the pressures of university exams. Nonetheless I was eager to get my
teeth stuck in.
A short 3000m course, run over two laps. With each team
consisting of three members. A long story short, I didn’t have my greatest
race. I ran ok but didn’t have the sharpness needed over the shorter distance.
Nevertheless a
Top 10 finish. Happy with that!
Northern Cross
Country Championships
The Northern Championships
always carries a high standard of competition and this year was no different.
Due to nationals being at the opposite end of the country, (Parliament Hill,
London) I had decided this would be my main race.
Race day was upon
us and I didn’t really know how I was feeling. I had raced well at the North Eastern Championships but hadn’t had the best race two weeks before. No
matter what, I knew this would be a test. 12km split over 3 x 4000m laps of
Pontefract racecourse.
I tried to run in
a similar way to the North Eastern Championships. I knew I was in a battle; a
harsh one at that. The quick change in conditions, from firm ground to
knee-deep mud and sludge was brutal. A true cross country course. Battling the
ground whilst it fought back. The end of the lap increased in gradient and
quickly felt harder than at first glance. Three times around was going to be
tough.
Each lap became
tougher and fatigue took hold. I was glad when it was over. I raced well; I was
happy. Post-race I felt I had raced better than I expected to. With a higher
position than the year before; I couldn’t complain.
North East Royal
Signals Road Relay Championships
February was here
and yet another relay. It was time to move back on to the road for this one.
Six legs run over
two laps of 1.7km. I was up last. We were sitting in second position, with
first out of sight and third not too far behind. I knew if I ran well then I
could hold off third. Having been ill in the week leading up to the race,
orders had been switched and I had hoped I could play my part.
The first lap
settled my nerves. I needed to do the same on the second 1.7km, which I did. It
felt good to be able to do a job for the team and maintain the great position
the other five had built. Second place.
Fantastic. A podium finish.
MARCH ALREADY
North East
Harrier League – Wrekenton XC
As I hadn’t run
in the Nationals, I decided that I would run the last round of the Harrier League.
Albeit only a few hours before the race. But hey ho!
I’d had a tough
week with my dissertation deadline looming, which to me seemed like the end of
the world plus a tough training block. The race was a chance to get back onto
the cross for what would most likely be the last time this season.
As I had never
competed in one I was running from the slow pack. For those that don’t know a
quick guide:
- Three Packs: Slow, Medium and Fast.
- Move up for the next race if you finish in the top 10% (I think).
- Slow pack starts on gun; Medium pack then starts 2.5 minutes later, then the Fast pack a further 2.5 minutes back.
This gave me a
chance of performing well but with it being the last round, I suspected that
there maybe a few in my position that hadn’t raced in the league this season
and would chance their arm at the last one!
12km over three
rolling laps, with a tough climb at the beginning of each loop.
This was a chance
to blow of the dissertation ‘steam’. Others may say procrastination. What ever
it was, it was needed.
 |
| Wrekenton Cross Country - End of lap two and enjoying the race! |
After a good
start, I knew that the forthcoming hill would be the tester. I settled in to
see how it would play out. Coming down the other side I was running along in
first place. From there I knew that I would be tested, even if it were by my
own fatigue from the tough week. I progressed through the lap and saw my lead
grow. Thankfully.
For the remainder
of the race I knew that I just needed to maintain. I was tired. Luckily I
stayed strong and was running well without the need to push too much. Finished.
First place! Job done. Procrastination complete. The final countdown begins!
 |
| Wrekenton Cross Country - Last Lap |
Taking away my
2.5 minute and 5 minute advantage over the Medium and Fast packs, I had the 9th quickest time. Not bad when I was tired and felt I
didn’t race too great.
British Elite
Duathlon Championships
An early start.
As always. It’s Triathlon, when is it not early?!
Up, car packed
and heading south to Corby and Rockingham Motor Speedway. What a venue. It
definitely wasn’t the weather we’d had the year previous and after watching the
junior races it was apparent; it was getting worse!
With the women
up, the format was changed. “Too dangerous” to allow the race to be contested
with a bike leg. Queue the change of plan from run bike run to a 10km run
(slog) into the wind.
Women done. The
men’s turn. With the weather only set to get worse the fate was to be the same.
On the start line I realised I had forgotten my timing chip. School-boy error;
I know. With all the running about and changing of format I had totally
forgotten about it. Second lap, I was fortunately handed it. Race saved.
It was a test to
say the least. The rain and the rolling, twisting motor circuit didn’t make for
the most thrilling course. Especially when it was a four lap race. Most races
are notoriously slightly over or slightly under distance. With the next
question in mind: how accurate was the measured distance? It didn’t really
matter; it was the same for all.
Race done.
Soaking wet. Wind swept and genuinely just ready for bed. I was happy with my
time considering the conditions and the last minute change of plan. Time to
head back north and finish this dissertation. Tick...Tock...
Racing Aside
Dissertation done. It was absolutely soul destroying, but its over.
HOME SOIL
Heading for Home
A quick visit
home over Easter for my cousin’s wedding, just happened to coincide with the
Isle of Man Easter Athletics Festival. An opportunity to race over 10km.
The hard-core
athletes would be competing in the 10km road race on the Friday evening; Peel
hill race on the Saturday and a 4x5km relay on the Sunday. As the wedding was
on the Saturday I could unfortunately not make the hill race and the Sunday;
well let’s just say I didn’t have a team.
This was my first
run on home soil for an awful long time. With a high class field attracting
many athletes from the mainland, it promised to be a good race. Coming off
racing the Elite duathlon the week before, I felt a little leg heavy but not
too bad considering. The course is tough. To make it even worse, it was
horrifically windy! The boats to and from the island had been having trouble
and some planes had been cancelled.
I was running in
my Gateshead vest. I had put down my home club (Western AC) as well on the
start list but had to run in it, as that’s whom they had written
down. Maybe I’d have got some more support if I’d had my Western AC kit on but never
mind.
Thankfully, there
were members of the local triathlon family out and in loud voice giving very
welcomed support. Loved it. Thank you.
Another tough
run. The wind against me again but there’s something special about racing at
home for the first time in years. I really did enjoy the experience.
A top 15 finish
with a good time to boot. No complaints. I was very pleased. Time to celebrate
Easter and the wedding.
 |
| Athletics Weekly - IoM Easter Festival Review |
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Thank you all for
reading. I hope to update you all on a regular basis now the season is upon us!
As always a
NEXT: BUCS Sprint
Triathlon
Cheers,
Sam
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Twitter - @samnbrand
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