Sunday, Week 6

Race, Snake Lane 10

Leisurely breakfast, then a long drive over to the East Riding to Pocklington.

Weather was 1,000 times better than 2 years ago when I did this before, although the wind, along with a sore throat and a dodgy stomach made me slightly wary about hitting any of my targets.

The usual chaos at the start, and I was left too far from where I thought I should be. Last time here, my first mile took 7:34, and as I threaded through the usual waddlers and puffers who had lined up with the elite I thought the same would be happening again.

When I hit the first mile marker at 6:31 I was therefore pretty positive, which grew as I hit the next two markers at under 6:30 each time. I was still thinking in terms of building up a cushion to slow down into, and when the 4th mile seemed to take 7:04 I started panicking.

Hit the 5 mile marker just through a pretty East Yorkshire town, and my split was 6:22 - guess that 4th mile was a little long.

Reassured that I wasn't slowing down I pushed on and passed 6 miles wel under my 40 minute target.

The Snake Lane bit was around here somewhere - a zig zag through some ancient field structure, and following a chat with an American, I got my head don for the diffcult last few undulating windy miles.

Hit the 9 mile marker in 20 seconds under the hour - the first one of my 2008 goals scored, and then cruised towards Pocklington knowing my time would be good.

Was overtaken by an aged looking person at 800m, so stepped up to a sprint for the last 400m and overtook him and 4 more (afterwards finding two odf them were the 1st and 2nd in the over 70 category).

Over the line in 1:06:14 (officially three seconds slower), after my most positive race experience since last year's Leeds Half.

That time equates to a 3:03 marathon - I won't get too excited, but I'm feeling good anyway going into the long mileage stage.

Friday, Week 6

4.5 Miles, Easy