Stevenage 5k Series – Race 3 – 10/12/09

A good night’s work… and a confidence booster

So after several weeks of feeling tired and wondering were my MOJO had gone, the reduced mileage and speedwork, plus several nights of good sleep finally paid off.

I should add an important note about the MOJO-situation. A look back at the week preceding the low-point of the Wing XC was quite instructive. The previous Sunday I had run a HM PB and needed a break from racing. My wife had an operation on the Monday and I slept (poorly) on the settee the rest of the week as we had the M-in-law staying to help out post-op and there were not enough beds to go around. I'd also had a really bad week at work. Statto's tip - avoid this race preparation model!

I was unusually anxious jogging down to the start because I didn’t really know what to expect of my body. At least the weather conditions were unusually good compared with the virtually permanent windy conditions we’ve had for about 6 weeks. Even more than hills, wind really is (if you’ll excuse the unfortunate metaphor) a pain in the backside!

I set off cautiously for the first km before starting to pick things up. I was still feeling quite strong at the 3.5km mark where the long up-hill section to the finish starts (thanks Tash and Ollie for the encouragement at that point) Then, there was what (initially at least) seemed like a most unwanted distraction – I could sense the Sibbo gaining on me! I was feeling good going up the hill, so tried to concentrate on my own race. Not long after 4k, my MV45 mentor/nemesis was right behind me and forcing the pace. The last 200m were a full-on battle for MV45 pride and I’m pleased to say that, on this occasion at least, I had just enough to pip him to the line.

I had no idea until I crossed the line that I had run such a good time (the Garmin was showing at 5:36 mile-pace, when in fact I’d done 5:34) This meant a time of 17:18 - a new PB by 15s and also a new MV45 Club Record. This beat Sibbo’s mark of 17:23, set just 2-weeks earlier. In fact, Sibbo beat his ‘old’ MV45 CR too with 17:20. I’m sure that having Sibbo all over me helped me dig out an extra few secs in that last km!

Sibbo and I have a lot of mutual respect. Our 'rivalry' is also based upon mutual support and encouragement.