Tue - 01/05/18
So this was a league match. The
GLCL League Race 1 at Parc Bryn Bach. The GLCL is a local league for invited
local clubs. The numbers taking part have mushroomed in recent years as the
clubs have seen their memberships double at least. The league is “friendly” and
volunteer led rather than being performance orientated. It has a rudimentary
web site here…
Thus those pesky elite clubs who
“steal” the top runners from “lesser clubs” and tend to hoover up the awards in
open events are not invited (e.g. MMRT - https://www.facebook.com/MMRT-481719911927187/ ). The GLCL is sport
for all. Results do not appear in Power of 10.
It was a cold and wet evening and
I wore a long sleeve technical T shirt under my club vest. I also wore my hi
viz yellow woolly hat.
I started at the back and
gradually picked up the pace. My lack of fitness was evident to me in that I
could feel (1) reduced leg strength on the hills, (2) a weakness in my left
ankle (3) my breathing seemed to be a limiting factor. It was a two lap event
and I tracked another Lliswerry Runner as we completed the first lap in order
to suppress any thoughts of stopping at the end of lap one. You know that
annoying tactic where a runner will just “sit on” the runner in front
(metaphorically speaking)… that was me. So I did that for a couple of
kilometres until he eased off and let me through saying he was knackered (or
words to that effect). I was hoping to use him to get up the hill but I was
left to struggle up and he did pass me on the climb. With gravity on my side I
was able to catch a few runners on the downhill stretches to the finish
(including my club mate). A couple of long legged youngsters did pass me on the
run in but I held off an old guy’s attempt to pass me. This was my first event
for 8 months. So it was a good start. I can have a look at the metrics (such as
VO2 Max) later to assess my current level of fitness.
The next morning I was stiff and sore but the stiffness and
soreness was activity related rather than injury related so that was also good
news.
This "race" occurred on the day after the closing date
for Alicante. I was therefore unable to justify entering EMACNS 2018. The main event this year is WMACS in Malaga in September I need to focus on preparations for
that event.
After avoiding carbs during the day ( my pre-race meal was frozen berries and cream) I had a couple of roast pork sandwiches when I got home. I couldn't be bothered to prepare a salad to go with the meat. Such is the addictive nature of refined carbs.
I had to take Maisie for a walk round the block and I slept well after my exertions.
I had to take Maisie for a walk round the block and I slept well after my exertions.
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