A Two Race Weekend

Race no. 82 Town Moor Parkrun

Away We Go!

Looking comfortable

I recognise Chris' style and those long socks!

Pass me? Not this time!

The field is off!

 The month of October  has seen me just ticking over and conserving energy for a busy November to come with a cross country, the Brampton to Carlisle Road Race, Norman Woodcock at Gosforth Park and the Town Moor Memorial 10K scheduled for the month.

Saturday saw the Graham family back on the Town Moor, for another Parkrun. For Chris it was  milestone, a new 19.24 minute pb. For Laura, also a pb, as she enjoyed some 'me' time,  her parents looking after baby, Alfie. For me, just another day at the office, recording a 'standard' 5k circuit of the 'Moor'.

It was a perfect day for running, cool, but no wind as 650 runners set off on the 5K circuit. Chris had joined his Heaton Harriers' team mates at the front, whilst I tried to stick to my 'don't go off too fast' strategy. Laura, meanwhile, had her own challenge - one that mere men will never experience - getting back into running after giving birth.

As I ran, the crowded field thinned out a little and I cast around for my age category rivals. "How" , I wondered," had I only recorded a third place V65 last time out?" As the 4K marker was passed I spotted one of my rivals picking up his pace. "Not this time", I thought, as I also increased pace with a couple of hundred yards to go,  really putting my foot on the gas pedal all the way to the line. Looking at 'Strava' after the race I see that I recorded 5.37 minute miling pace to the line, that's fast!

I was second V65 in 22.20 for 162nd position. Joseph White, Sunderland Harriers was 165th in 22.24. Ian Mason was ahead of both of us in 22.03 for 153rd place. My next target is to get back under 22 minutes - why not?

Chris, who is steadily improving his finishing times, recorded 19.24 for 49th place. Laura finished in 31.05 for 524th.

That will be my last 'Town Moor' for a while as I look for a bit of variety in my racing. It will not be my last 5K however, as I fancy the hilly Great Run Local tomorrow at Gibside. I am also taking part in a test run for the latest Parkrun to start in this area, the Prudhoe Riverside Park, next Sunday. That after the Norman Woodcock Memorial Race next Saturday -no rest for the wicked!