it called for a TEMPO RUN yesterday. So a 5K was ground out on a still morning with the temperature anchored down by a chilling morning mist. Target time for 12.5 laps? Well, the accepted wisdom for a tempo run is 20/30 seconds above 10k pace. So based on a speculative level of fitness of 42 minutes, a
time of around 22.30 should have been attainable. Initial laps were a second or two too slow, however, but the pace picked up from halfway and the watch stopped at 22.42. So not bad for a solo run at this time of year.
in good time to do a quick leaflet drop and position myself for the start of the Senior Womens race, in which Hattie Dean of Hallamshire triumphed from Victoria Wilkinson who fought hard all the way to the line. Sale ladies were without 4 of the leading lights but pack pretty well to take the silver medals. The club did well to put out teams in all races except the under 20s, male and female, but concerningly the senior ladies were the only team to return to Cheshire with a set of medals. The leading Cheshire team seemed to be the much younger club, Vale Royal.
Besides looking to shout on Sale team mates I was intent on encouraging local Wharfedale athletes but of the two local clubs only 2 women and one man ...........well done, Mr. Fell Fiend Wilby....made the journey to Lancashire. Of course, several times during the afternoon I was asked why I wasn't running and I must admit I started to ask myslf the same question when I saw so many M60s and even M70s up for the challenge. But the days are well gone when I could race on a Saturday and follow up with a 13 mile run on a Sunday as pllaned. A need for focus! Besides Sale H. were well covered for male counters. The other fact working against participation is that the North doesn't acknowledge age groupings in the results. So a runner may not count for his team but can see where he has finished in his age group. I think Southern and Midlands do record age group. Their championships are next week. If the Northerns had been on next week then a clash with the Brass Monkey would have been avoided and I think added to the Northern quantity and quality. Before departing from the park, now very cold and gloomy by late afternoon I staked a claim for a place on "C" or "D" team for the Northern 12 man.
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