Save the best till Last

I look back at 2007

I can only say that 2007 was a strange year. I set off with just one goal in mind, to run a sub 1hour 20 min Half Marathon, having not done it for a couple of years. I was so determined that I started training October 2006 for the Wrexham Half, February 2007. I tried to keep it simple; do a hard 10 mile run in 64-65 mins, (which I never do in training, it’s usually 72 mins), with a long run over 13 miles which I did on Wednesdays, (before the speed sessions began), running to the Vic. No, not the hospital, that’s later! Then doing 10-11 miles with the lads before running back home made this a 14-15 mile run.

Luckily JB was going to Wrexham; I managed to get a lift. BANG!! The race had started, I was running with a group of five who were chasing 75.30, (I didn’t know this at the time), thankfully I kept up with them to 10 miles and then slowly fell off the pace. It didn’t matter as I crossed the line in 76.46, a new PB by over a minute, and the first PB in over 3 years. I had a smile wider than the Grand Canyon.

It’s like the buses, none for ages and then they all come at once. I broke my 10K PB; I hadn’t been able to get close to it since I set it. JB must be my lucky mascot, as, once again, I got a lift from him with the young White Kenyon (Karl Lee). We went to the Rothwell 10K. I set off too fast, but at 5K I started having a real battle with another runner, right up to the line. I out-sprinted him and ducked under 35 mins, (34.59). What a difference a second makes, my competitors face told a story of disappointment as he came in 35 mins dead. I was dancing in the car park whilst he was shaking his head. Before I knew it Mr Karl Lee was also celebrating a PB. it made for a happy journey home!

I broke my 5 mile and 5K times, no big deal there as I have not run many races at those distances.

My 10 mile of 59.01 was set in 2003 at Preston. I was now at Preston once more, this time in 2007 four years after setting my PB, having tried and failed so many times before. I even came close on a different course but I knew it was now or never. The conditions were slightly cold, wind against you on the way out. I set off and stuck behind the in form, Barry Norman. I knew that if I could keep up with him I would beat my PB, as he is also a faster runner than me. For 8 miles I was breathing down his neck, (keeping him warm on the cold winter’s morning); where he went I followed on the pavement and on the road. At 8 miles I felt both strong and brave, and for the first time I came out of his slip stream and went gliding past. The pace increased as he chased me all the way to the line. I just held him off and crossed the line with a remarkable new PB of 57.19 nearly 2 minutes off my previous best!!

I was now satisfied that all my previous personal bests had been beaten, all that is except the marathon. I have not completed one since 2005 hold your breath. My goal for 2008 is to complete one under 3 hours and beat Pistol Pete’s time of 2.51 – there’s a wager on this – I intend to win!!!

Imagine having not been sober in over a week, drinking more than I’d like to admit on Christmas Day, and then running 35.20 at the Boxing Day 10K, - the penny dropped, I could run under 35 mins once more.

So, saving the best till last…

The following Saturday, by some miracle I stayed off the beer, woke up early on the Sunday, felt refreshed and up for the challenge. It felt strange travelling there surrounded by our friends from Blackpool, but change is good, different conversations, and sometimes silence, made for a new experience.

The main event, the Ribble Valley 10K, like the fighting at Madison Square Gardens, everyone is there; it’s like a who’s who. I don’t think I’ve raced is such a competitive race. I don’t believe it’s a fast course, (even though people say it’s a down hill course - tell my calves that when they’re climbing up the hills!)

Karl Lee threw down the gauntlet once again; he was going to beat me. I like a challenge, but the young pretender is no match, just yet. My sights were on a bigger prize, the scalp of the legend that is Alex Rowe. Everything was in my favour; Alex was suffering with a bad bout of flu and I had age on my side.

The gun went off and the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ started; some thought it was the final of a 100m sprint! I set off at a reasonable pace with Alex 30 metres ahead. A Preston runner was beside me on Boxing Day and I never got close to him. I knew he was looking for a sub 35 min run so, if I could stick with him, then, maybe, I would be close to the Holy Grail of another 10K PB. I matched him stride for stride. We went past runners with him on the inside me then on the outside as we climbed the hill to the first mile. Together we closed the gap on Alex. First mile in 5:20 good pace! We caught up to Alex, Louise Gardener, (M&L), and a few other runners. Now I don’t know about you but I started to have mind games with myself. That little man in my head started telling me strange things; I started to get frightened, it’s the devil, “you’re going too fast”, “you shouldn’t be here”, then another voice appeared, “you’re doing well”, “carry on, you can do it, enjoy it!” Which voice was going to win?? The next couple of miles I stayed behind Alex and next to the Preston runner, working hard.

At the 3 mile mark Louise and the Preston runner upped the anti; could I really pass Alex?? No time to hesitate; I came to race my own race. This Seasider was not letting Preston escape, and there it was, I set off in pursuit; he was 10 metres in front. Luckily the climb up the hill was my saving grace; by time we reached the top I had caught him up and now it was a game of cat and mouse on the downhills. He would gain the advantage on the up-hills and I would draw level with him. Side by side we ran, hitting the ground at the same time. We glanced at each other through the corners of our eyes; it was a battle of wills as to who would come out on top? We hit 5 miles and with one more to go, the voices returned and legs were tired. “Alex will be catching you. Give in.” “No,” I said, “No!” Then I heard breathing down my neck. My first thought was that it was Alex, but no, two Blackburn Harriers went past. Once again the Preston runner and I tried to go faster. The last part was a steep down-hill then a strength sapping up-hill. This time he only got a yard in front of me on the down-hill. I knew that if I was to beat him I had to make a move on the up-hill. I did just that. I went past him, gave it my all, ignored all the aches and pains, and dug in deep. Biting my tongue up the hill, I climbed passing him and one of the Blackburn runners. Bang! At the top my legs went, somebody had slammed the brakes on. “Oh no!” I thought. Luckily a few strides later they were back in gear! At the top of the hill the end is further than you think so more will power was required. I turned into the finishing straight and I could see the clock ticking away. One final effort and YES I would do it, a PB. I kicked and kicked again passing the line in 34.45.

I had achieved, not only a PB, but in the process beaten Jon Green from Preston, Alex, (‘under the weather’), Rowe and Karl, who also ran a stormer setting a new PB by 30 secs.

I didn’t expect to beat my previous 10K PB at Clitheroe, especially having consumed more pints of Fosters than I could count or re-call for that matter!!

So in perfect conditions, on a course I don’t believe is fast, why do so many people run PBs? Simple, you are in a true race always surrounded by runners pushing you to the limits getting that extra stride, determination and will power. I came 46^th in 34:45 usually that time would get you a top 10 finish in any other 10K.

Roll on Garstang, where Karl is set to get his re-match. Who will deliver the knock out punch??? It’s 50/50

Roll on 2008. If it’s half as good as 2007 it will be a great year.

Lee xxx

Submitted: 8^th January 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor