EXPERIENCES OF TRACK & FIELD

WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO? – THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE OF IT.

My heart’s in my throat. We’re lined up, not at the start but round the first bend of the track at Witton Park, Blackburn. It’s my first 1500m race and I’m nervous, I’m worried I’m going to make a fool of myself and come in minutes behind everyone else.

I think Charlie (Pass) senses my nervousness and encouragingly says “You’ll be fine Pete”.

I look around and note those I already know: Charlie, Alex Rowe, Steve Myerscough, Graham Webster (Lytham), amongst others. What am I doing here? These guys range in 10k times from 32 to 38 minutes. I’ve done a sub-40 – ONCE!!

BANG! We’re off, in less than no time we’re at the top bend and already the race leader, (Peter Huck), is about 25 metres ahead of me. Doesn’t he realise its 1500m? Charlie’s up there with him gliding along effortlessly then Alex followed closely by Steve, a host of others then … me!

The 3^rd lap is the hardest since it’s ‘no-man’s land’, I want to stop and die but I know I’ve only got two laps left. I’ve run the Coniston 14 in sub-7 minute miles and the last mile hurt but I already seem to be at that level of pain and I’ve only been running for 3 minutes. Having said that, as much as it hurts, I’m enjoying it because I’m running fast and I love running fast.

A cheer is going up behind me as I start my last lap, Peter Huck finishes in 4:06.7, I hit the top of the first bend and see Charlie racing in for 2^nd in 4:20.6. I see that 2^nd, 3^rd and 4 ^th positions are all Wesham. (Charlie, Alex (4:38.4) and Steve (4:51.5). This boosts my confidence; only one more bend to go. I speed up down the back straight, everyone is cheering me in and none more so than our captain Karl (Lee), and the atmosphere is fantastic. I clock 5:37.4 and come in last.

Truth is, it doesn’t matter if I come last to me or indeed anyone else. In the last 5 and a half minutes I’ve learnt so much. I feel mentally stronger - I feel more aware and I’ve done something different. In fact, I feel that good that we go off and buy celebratory ice cream cones!

During the course of last summer my time went from 5:37.4 to 5:26.8 and I started doing the 800m as well and got that from 2:39.8 to 2:35.5. The biggest bonus I found was that my running speed for longer runs increased dramatically – what used to be a hard pace becomes moderate intensity and, when it comes to the finish of a race, I know I’ve got some pace to gain those last few places. Will I be going on the track this summer – you bet!

If you want to improve your long distance times believe me race on the track and, as I’ve said, no one minds if you come last – someone has to. At the moment it just happens to be me! The camaraderie is brilliant and how many of you can say that you were in a race with Charlie or Alex and you were only a minute behind them? Not many I expect!

If you want more information contact our Track & Field Captain Karl (Lee), who just bubbles with enthusiasm. Nothing more to say really apart from the fact that I’m definitely going round the bend this summer!

Written by: Peter Gleaves

Submitted: 4^th March 2010

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor