Well normally I’m a regular to these races throughout the year but for various reasons I think I’ve only done two for the year before today’s attempt. Rolled up nice and early and met the Irish gang Enda, Eoin and Eamo before getting out for a couple of ks warm up and listening to Enda’s tales of woes once more. Also good to see the other HuRTS boys Walker, Manly Benny, and Angus Boyd toeing the line as well.
On the start line with Enda and I look left and right and it suddenly dawns on me that there is nobody of any stature lining up ………No Barts, No Chairman, No Tucks, No C.T and certainly nobody like Criniti, De Canto, or any previous winners or big names. I then remarked to Enda, “seriously mate, you can win this today’
Started pretty slow and sat in nicely behind Nicole Ward (leading female) and when through the first kilometer in 3.43, and held that before the first climb up ‘Scribble’ lost it pretty much straight away going up there and basically that was race over. Managed to get to the 5 mark in 20 minutes and was happy just to try to run a solid tempo for the final 5ks home. Had a look at the front runners flying down the hill both looking good and I could sense then that battle was on the cards for the first two placings.
Just cruised home sitting on over 4 min/ks for the back half stopping the clock in 40.40 – Yet another disappointing run for what capped off a miserable year and I can only hope that things return for a better 2014, although I think I can start by losing a few kilos and putting some proper structure back into my training and stop Fxxxing around.
Returned to the recovery area and was met with the biggest smile by Enda Stankard that told me straight away he had got the victory, with the Leech pushing him all the way to get 2nd a mere 3 seconds behind (we don’t call him the Leech for nothing) A great effort from the Galway Goon and you can only beat what is put in front of you even if it was ‘A Battle of the B Graders’ today. Striders have been going for over 30 odd years with about 370 10k races, with over 16’000 runners participating in them and NEVER in the history has a time of 35.37 been good enough to win a race before today’s running.
My phone was a buzz once news got out with the Chairman upset he didn’t come out just for a stroll and even Kanser reckons he could have got the victory despite only just getting back into his program and we won’t even mention what Lady Laura James would have run J
Even though I am running rat $h!te I still enjoy getting out and being part of it all especially the Striders races (you even get good encouragement from 60 minute runners) and always good to chat with the HuRTS lads post race.
Will get out and try to kick start my fitness program tomorrow – not sure if just head out to run easy or test myself a little more at the local BRAT triathlon down at Heffron?
Have a good weekend, and remember to get on the mighty Potters tonight in the footy J
Cheers
It was also the first time anyone had won a Striders race on one weeks training after drinking their own body weight in beer 2 weeks before!
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