Bradford Parkrun
Date – Saturday
23rd February 2013
Venue – Lister
Park
I really don’t like early morning racing. This again became apparent during the first
lap of my ‘home’ Parkrun. I need to
fugure out what to eat and how much time to leave between breakfast and
racing. I instantly feel sick and any
thought of increasing speed (pah, not likely) or effort (I thought I was giving
it my all…) leaves me less than dapper.
The Mighty
Byrom bolted off from the start and we left most of the Bradford City colours
somewhere behind us. Then, past the big,
rabbit statues – I only spotted these recently - and I overtook the Mighty
Byrom. The route consequently bears
left, down the tarmac path to the 110o turn left again and the
guidance of two marshals. The long
slightly downhill straight was completed with ease. Too much ease, it would seem.
Around Tony’s
Corner and up the ‘Teeny Tiny Hill’, the Mighty Byrom displayed the full
benefit of good marathon training as he powered at speed up the rise. He’d gained approximately 30m just on this 75m
stretch. No doubting that I was crushed
and coupled with not feeling on top form I immediately knew I’d be doing well
to catch him. First mile was recorded at
6.59.
The first
fly-by at the bandstand was greeted with an inspirational blast of ‘Ride of the
Valkyries’ and I just tried to stay at a moderate pace and not blow up. As I turned on to the long straight I started
to feel warmer, but this just seemed to emphasise the growing murmurs in my
guts. Urgh! The Mighty Byrom was still only 30m ahead so
I hadn’t lost any further distance. I
tried to control my breathing on approach to the Teeny Tiny Hill.
I was strong
heading up the hill and on turning left past the start line I clocked 7.15 for
the second mile. As I passed the
bandstand for the second time, inspiration was replaced by aggression as ‘Kung-Fu
Fighting’ chimed from the music system.
Dodging between the bollards and past the house, I tried to find another
gear to claw back the Mighty Byrom. I
knew if I could stay with him that I’d be under a milestone time.
I powered up
the last ascent of the Teeny Tiny Hill and turned for home. The third mile registered at 7.24 – actually it
could’ve been something else as sweat was now dripping into my eyes. I could still see the Might Byrom well ahead
though and he wouldn’t be caught today.
Some banal soft rock blurted out as I tried to race round the bandstand
and across the finish line.
Post-script
Sub 23.00 was
still my second fastest at this course, but I didn’t feel comfortable and the
run was not enjoyable. I then sipped a water, consumed an energy gel and
started my training run back to Pudsey. Huge
thanks to the staff at the crafts store adjacent to the canal towpath at
Shipley. A much needed toilet stop
prepared me for the long slog from the canal, up Thackley Drive, across the
Leeds Road, through Idle up to Five Lane Ends.
I then cruised back to Pudsey in light, falling snow – neither warm nor
satisfied with the effort of the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment