Pages

Monday 13 August 2012

Arncliffe Fete 4 mile race

    Over the past month I've reduced my number of training runs to three per week, or just two if racing at the weekend.  The two main sessions have been a set of 200m repetitions, with jog recovery, incorporated into a six mile run, and a long (for me) off-road run up to 10 miles at the weekend. The third is usually an enjoyable six miles through local woods, fields, fells or riverbank - taking my camera along as an excuse to occasionally stop and stare while taking pictures for my Blog. My old knees have thanked me for this change of regime, I've felt less tired and been better able to cope with the next session. Repetition runs have increased from 12 to 16 without any loss of speed. I might even be slightly faster. So the animal is happy.
The Arncliffe 4 mile race route
    Highlight of the past week was the Arncliffe Fete 4 mile road race, a low key event that annually attracts around a hundred runners. This year we were down to 80 which is a shame because the number of prizes diminishes with the drop in entries. It's all about budgetting.
   The race is suitable for all grades of runners, many unattached locals lining up with top class club runners. The route is an undulating out and back circuit through beautiful Dales scenery following the right bank of the River Skirfare down to Hawkswick where it crosses the bridge and returns to Arncliffe by the opposite bank. Overall ascent is about 140ft - which is negligible spread out over 4 miles. This year's winner, Alan Buckley of Leeds City, kept just inside 5 minute mile pace to clock 19.59. The race takes place on the second Saturday of August, and there's a campsite nearby if any of my Blog readers should wish to take part in future years.
Starting near the back (313) so I can't be passed!
Photo courtesy of Dave Woodhead
    I'd spent a lot of Friday night visualizing just how I was going to run this race, which probably robbed me of a few hours sleep! My tactics were to start from near the back and gradually wind up to optimum pace over the first mile. That way I reasoned no-one was going to overtake me, but I'd have a succession of pace-makers to pull me to the Finish. It worked to a T, as they say. Glenis Speak of Northern Vets pulled me along for the first ¾ mile until I set my sites on an unknown runner who stopped to stretch against a wall when he heard my footsteps behind him. After the drinks station at two miles I caught Caren Crabtree of Wharfedale Harriers who said she was also entered for the Fell race later in the afternoon, so was keeping a bit in hand! In the last ½ mile I managed to catch the unattached Paul Stephenson and race him to the finish. I was happy with my time of 33.40, over 7 minutes inside the previous MV80 course record, and surprised to discover I'd beaten everyone over 65!   Full results here:
A smiling LV65 winner
     My wonderful partner considered she'd had a bad race and was anything but happy with her time of 40.49, but cheered up immensely on being presented with a £12.00 voucher as winner of the LV65 category. She later learned she'd also won a raffle prize valued £25.00 for a meal at a trendy local restaurant.   So a good time was had by all.  Roll on next year!
    Finally, I'm indebted to Karien, a South African runner who's been kind enough to feature my geriatric exploits in her very readable Blog entitled Running the Race. Whilst feeling slightly embarrassed I do hope her band of readers may draw inspiration from it and encourage them to run for longer and maybe rise to greater things. Thanks Karien.

14 comments:

  1. Another race another win...

    Have just read Karien blog and you don't need to feel embarrassed, it's nice to read, and I bet when you read it you are thinking, am I that good!!! Well you are, look you just keep winning races!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for the shout-out, Gordon, and congratulations on another outstanding race!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well done, Gordon. Sorry I didn't see you up there. Had to catch up with some gardening! Perhaps see you in the shop when you spend your voucher. Take care out there! Terry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, gardening, that necessary evil! Yes, we'll be in the shop as soon as we can think of something we might need.
      Cheers!

      Delete
  4. Wow! Nicely done, both of you! Great prizes, too.
    You know, my best runs have been when I've taken the time to visualize my race beginning about a week before running it. I try and picture the course, how I'm feeling, all that stuff. It really works.
    Barb
    My Running Shortz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest Barbara, it's the first time I've tried visualization, though I've often read about it. Arncliffe is a short easy course I've run several times before, so I could visualize every inch of it and decide where and when I was going to do things. It worked remarkably well.

      Delete
  5. WOO-HOO congratulations!! What a great race by both you and your partner! Fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like your race strategy - to catch everyone 20 years younger than you from behind. :)
    Well done - and to your partner too for winning the prizes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well done. Do you know where there are any photos from the race?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Terry. Can't find any photos. I saw Dave Woodhead there with his camera (woodentops.org.uk) but nothing so far on his website.

      Delete
  8. Hello I am Paul Stephenson who you burned off in the last mile. For someone over 80 you had a killer finish! I have enjoyed reading your blog and very much like your attitude to running. I hope you enjoy your meal. Hope to see you in a race soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Paul, Thankyou for your kind comments. I didn't think I was going to catch you but just managed to keep the momentum going. Things could be different over 10 miles at Burnsall on 25th. I'll watch out for those socks!

      Delete
  9. Ahh...visualization...I'm a big believer in that!! And I can just picture you calmly sneaking up on all those "youngins" out there and passing them by!!! Congrats on a race well ran, and to your partner...what a great smile she has! you're a lucky man ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm just hoping the visualization technique will work again next Saturday in a ten mile race with around 1,000ft of ascent! And yes, I'm a VERY lucky man. Thanks for visiting

      Delete