I took a break from shop duties yesterday afternoon to read the first chapter of Charlie Spedding's book,
Last to First which he has written and published himself. This old photo shows the start of the Burnsall 10 road race in August 1979. Bill Padgett (8)
and myself (10) are leading the field up the hill from the bridge in Bingley's old blue and white hoops. Charlie Spedding can be seen just behind me in the colours of Gateshead, white vest with red band. He went on to win in 50.05. Second was Alwyn Dewhirst of Holmfirth in 51.17. You'll see Alwyn at races every weekend in his role as coach to the club. Bill Padgett was 3rd. in 51.31. Great to see him back at work after heart surgery.
Fourth was Peter Rawnsley (Sheffield) who is still racing but now back at Skyrac. I was 9th in 54.34 just behind Brian Pickersgill of Longwood who is still to be seen in local cross country races. Probably 4 of the first 15 are still competing after 30 years; not sure that includes Charlie but when you've achieved an Olympic bronze I suppose it's hard to motivate for lesser events.
Yesterday's track session was a tad depressing even accounting for the strong winds. The weather having improved today I planned to nudge up today's longest run of the week to 12, targeting 85 mins. for the last 10 after the inevitable slow opening 2 miles. Back on the canal for this run from the Fisherman's pub (Bingley) to ensure the bulk of the run could be on the more forgiving towpath surface. 18.26 as expected at 2 then settled into the target pace for next four, averaging 8.31.
From the turn at Low Lane farm I somehow went in acceleration mode much as I do in races.
8.12 8.09 8.09 7.55 7.51 7.30
So 52.32 for the first 6 and 47.49 for the second, last ten in 81.55. (3 minutes inside target time)
Pleasing compensation for yesterday.It calls into question my thought not to race any more half marathons. Either that or I'll have to extend my prerace warmup to about 4 miles instead of 2! 56 miles for the week.
Drove past the Cow & Calf pub on the way back, seeing several people sat drinking outside.....in November! Amazing.
As someone that used to be coached by Alwyn and have read Charlie's book I enjoyed reading this. Paul Thompson
ReplyDeletePeekskill, NY
Former Holmfirth Harrier