I’ve been 1^st in a race - (Sunday, 3rd June 2002)

I’ve been last in a race (Saturday, 28^th July) (twice!)!

My first and only ever win, (apart from Handicaps), was at the little known Calthwaite 10k, near Penrith………little known unless you are Brian Porter who was bought up in Calthwaite. I did 36:01 and Barry Peatfield promised to buy me lunch if I won. I don’t think Barry thought I would win, but it was quite a small race! He went pale when I crossed the finish line in 1^st place! But luckily for Barry, Calthwaite is a village without ATM’s, so the moths in Barry’s wallet never saw daylight!

I’ve been second last a couple of times before in Vet 800 metre races, but until last weekend never suffered the ignominy of being placed last and it happened twice in the space of about an hour!

I’ve enjoyed this years Vet Track races with Alex, so I thought I’d support young Karl and go to an Open Meeting. I was annoyed with myself for missing Preston on the 30^th of June where we had a good turn out. My son Levon was at his friends all day and Michaela and I were in the vicinity visiting Sweatshop at Chorley. Levon staying at his friends was a bit impromptu and I hadn’t realised it was on. I would have liked to have pitched myself with Blackpool’s Steve Minto as we have done similar times for the 1500m. Steve did 5:15:90 at Preston and I ran 5:16.2 at Cleckheaton in April, so it may have been close!

Joanna Goorney had e-mailed me directions to Litherland, (Liverpool), and with Levon’s help we made it ok. I believe we fared better than Elaine Bertenshaw’s car! (Elaine and Peter Gleaves were helping with the officiating, as was Lytham’s Dawn Lock). Peter’s daughter, Kathryn, was going to compete, (for Preston), but due to a long story involving work, haircuts and vests, she didn’t make it.

Levon was happy playing football on some adjoining football pitches until his adopted friend had to go in. I was enjoying watching the races. I had bought him the new Transformers PSP game and this kept him more than occupied for the rest of the meet. It was a brand new track in quite a deprived area. Luckily it was quite a nice day as there was no shelter. It has been shortlisted for a National Lottery award.

I couldn’t leave Blackpool till noon, so luckily I had missed the 800m which I’ve used as a warm up at the Vets races. The last 800m runner finished in 2:26 and I usually run between 2:38 to 2:40! Karl was 7^th (2:16:50). The 800m was won by David Griffiths (Wigan) in 2:07:00.

I got to the start line of the 1500m with young Karl and felt a little nervous as I seemed the oldest there by about 28 years!! ‘What the hell,’ I thought; it’s only three and a bit times round the track. I wouldn’t get lapped and it would be over in 5 minutes or so! Plus no-one knows me *

Blackpool’s Luke Minns won the race in 4:25:50 and he was a bit down on his usual time due to the blustery conditions. I was last in 5:27:50 – a bit down on my usual times posted at Cleckheaton, but I would still have been last if I’d posted my Cleckheaton times. I’d run great in training last Thursday and had high hopes. However, I wasn’t disappointed and really enjoyed it. Karl was 4^th in 4:47:20.

Alex and Karl had been texting each other with their times. (Alex had won a Gold medal at Birmingham).

We didn’t get a peep out of Levon. He was hiding from the sun’s glare under my T-shirt, saving the world on his PSP. He had some cake from Elaine, but left all the currants.

The 3000m soon came round. Instead of having three races, (Junior Men, Senior Men and one Ladies), I suggested just having one race and everyone agreed. Again I worked on the theory it’s only seven and a half laps. I was soon left in their wake – Danny Parkinson, (Kendal) and Nathan Riding, (Ribble Valley), were way out in front. I seemed to be fairly near Karl initially. Every time I passed the javelin throwers, Graham Vickers gave me a shout as did Peter Gleaves at the finish area. Graham had thrown 23:15m in difficult conditions and had beaten an established thrower, (who owned his own javelins!). Graham fancies the discus next time.

I tried to salvage some respectability on the last lap by trying to reel in the penultimate runner. She kept looking round, changed gears and flew into the finish. I had been lapped by the first two and just kept off the 3^rd home. I did 11:00:60 Danny Parkinson won in 9:14:90 and Karl was 4^th in 10:11:20

On Monday night, Howard Henshaw told me a little bird had mentioned I’d made my Mid Lancs Track debut! Howard also went onto say, he could run faster than Luke Minns when he was a lad!!

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 1^st August 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor