Preston Interclub 4.9 miles Wednesday, 10th May 2006 (2nd race in a series of 6)

The race starts from Vernon-Carus, Factory Lane, Penwortham. Whilst warming up, I started with yet another nose bleed.

Preston won the first Inter Club by two points and I wasn’t sure if they’d have more, or less, runners out tonight. I was relieved Helen Clitheroe wasn’t there, but nor was Charlie Pass, Craig Sharp, Gary deBanke and Ian Garrod, so it could, hopefully, be another close one! I knew Gary has a groin strain/over use, injury and has been told to rest for three weeks. It will kill his wife, because he’s like a bear with a sore ass when he can’t run!

When the race started I was in a group with Derek Buckley, Joe Swarbrick (RR), Tony Croft (LSARR) and Paul Dunkerley. They are all fast lads and I was pleased to be with them. (I was running faster than Sunday, but still nowhere near John ‘P.B’. Bertenshaw). When the race went past the Continental, a young woman shouted, “What do you lot look like?” and I shouted back that she looked like a trollop! I couldn’t resist it. There were mile markers and I knew the area quite well as I used to work in Preston and ran this route during my lunch hour. I felt I must have a slight advantage.

When we got back onto the tramway, I knew there was less than a mile to go and Mick Cronshaw (NF) wasn’t far away, so I started to wind it up and I got a cramp-like pain in my calf. I had to slow down and a couple of runners overtook me including 1^st lady, Rachel Crowe. I dug in again and overtook them and made it to the finish. I was dripping with sweat. It was a gorgeous night. I ran about 29:30 for about 31^st? I saw Barry Peatfield, (in new racing flats), counting the ‘chittys’ and it appeared we had ten in the first twenty one, so, barring disasters, it looks like we’d done it.

Dave Waywell was telling off Derek Buckley for overtaking him on the line! Derek’s defence was that he could hear another runner catching them up. Les Cornwall was our 1^st counter. I think Steve Myerscough was 12^th, (his highest finish). A guy I used to work with in the Tax Office, Gary Pennington, had run as a guest and finished in front of me and not far behind Trevor Rayner, but he doesn’t think he’s good enough to join a club!!! Captain Barlow was doing a sterling job praising each runner as they came in.

I looked up ‘calf injuries’ when I got home. It could have been caused due to dehydration. I drink a lot of coffee at work and I had a Red Bull at the start. But I went swimming at 4:30 and I don’t think that helped. Also I never stretch, unlike Joanna Goorney and her mum who appeared to be doing yoga at the start.

Peter Cruse phoned later to confirm that we had won.

Next fixture: Monday 19^th June 2006 at Stanley Park, Blackpool.

Once the results were out, we actually had ten in the first nineteen!! We had a magnificent 50 runners out in a field of 185, (9 ladies and 41 men). I finished in front of John Bertenshaw whereas I swore he was in front! We “let” six vets get in the first ten this time!!! Joanna Goorney was 6^th lady overall in a time of 32:31 (64^th overall). The Ladies came 4^th with 96 points.

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 12^th May 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor