Can I give more? The answer is usually yes

Bohermeen 5 mile-32min 16 sec(6.31,6.33,6.27,6.33,6.25)

Have been looking forward to this since TbL was man enough to take the challenge on, having ran with him that magical day along the canal during the summer i knew i was in for a good bit of crack to. Arrived to Bohermeen to see the sight of TbL trying to direct the legendary Dave Brady into a parking space, both made a balls of same and gave up!! In and registered and back out to be offered skittles by TbL, declined just in case it was rohypnol. We went for a 1.5 mile warm up and he had a pain in his arse to a pain in his gums, still wasn't falling for it though. Back to the car park where we bumped into Dave Brady, i was treated to 15mins of side splitting stories from the the two lads speaking of years gone past.

We made our way to to the race start and were soon called to order by the race starter who is a legend in his own right, he gave two late stragglers a bollicking who were delaying the start. He had a starting pistol in his hand and was waving it everywhere counting us down, i nearly made a jump for the ditch at one point but he pulled the trigger soon enough and we were off. I received a few words of encouragement from behind from TbL as i made my way.

Mile 1
Into my stride quick enough and never looked behind for fear of being caught!!! First mile was nicely downhill, had decided coming over in the car if i could run even 6.35 miles i would be well happy. I figured at this point i would spend most of the race running by myself as the field was lacking in depth to what i thought it would. Passed four runners in the first mile and kept that as my goal to race end, pick runners off and not get passed myself.

Mile 2
Mile 2 started with a little drag over the motorway and i was still feeling good, little drop before we turned and made our way up a little drag, had a quick look sideways where i could see runners behind, i was still in the clear. Picked off another 3 runners here and kept the head down, it was well thinned out at this point with most runners running solo.

Mile 3
We turned onto a main road shortly after the two mile mark and it was nicely downhill for a bit, looked up and seen a nasty little drag over the motorway ahead, put the head down and told myself to dig in. Passed another two runners going up and noticed 2.5miles written in the road, homeward bound now. One of the runners came back at me on the downhill but once it flattened out i passed them again. Still feeling strong.

Mile 4
Remember very little about this mile to be honest, i passed the last runner i would pass on this mile, i started to feel it with about 1.25 miles left and had words with myself. I would have previously gave up here a bit but i had a 6ft 5 Lemon chasing me and i was fooked if i was giving in.

Mile 5
Turned into the village of Bohermeen and my legs were burning now, looked at the watch for first time in a while, pace was still ahead of my goal average so took that as a good thing. Passed the school and knew we had 0.75 of a mile left as we had ran that way on the warm up. Then it came, i heard abuse from behind, looked behind to see TbL, where the hell did he come from, ah man i'm hurting here i wanted a handy run in, now i have to dig in and hold him off. Turned left and a sneaky little drag towards the track and race end, quick glance and i'm holding he gap i think, my legs are swimming in pain at this point.

See 500m left on the road, ah thats ages away, quick look again, full sure the gap has halved, hes gaining on me, he can smell my aftershave i figure. Dig in again, 400m, genuinely in a jock now, dont know whats keeping me going, breathing is all over the place. 200m, quick look again, gap has held this time i think. Turn off the road onto the track, muster a sprint and look at the time on the gantry as i pass, 32.16 and i make for the fence thinking i'm going to heave. Look back to see TbL finishing only mere seconds behind. We mumble some congrats to each other, we're both fu@ked.


I'm genuinely surprised with this result, its only 33secs slower than my PB, a time i feel i was in far better shape than i am now. Thats a massive positive for me at this moment and shows some of the training i have been putting in has paid off. The auld man obviously pushed me on a bit to, thanks for that this morning C it was hugely appreciated and thanks for the laughs badly needed they were, if you weren't out there behind me on the course i would have eased off a bit and taken it easy. Hope that heavy breather didn't cost you valuable seconds!!!

career move wrote: »

Good stuff. Your 'old self' had better watch his back too. You're flying it

Cheers Kate.