Tuesday 31 October 2017

Antonine trail race 2017 (and the merits of not being 1st)

I've been thinking on how to improve myself, and I have come to the conclusion that not coming in first is a good thing. I haven't been as focused on my training as I was in the first half of this year, but I have managed some speed sessions, hill reps and long runs. However, I'm not going to lie, I've been more inconsistent than I'd like, and it's purely due to laziness. So going into this race I knew my fitness wasn't were it should be. Additionally I had been unwell the week leading up to race day, but enough of the moaning and onto the good stuff.

On Sunday I took part in the amazing, local to me, Antonine Trail half marathon. I wasn't even sure I was going because of mental health stuff in my head in the days beforehand. However, the morning came and I'd decided I owed it to the race organisers to make it. No one wants DNS's in their races, so on the Saturday night I was decided, I'm happy to say the right decision.

The weather could not have been better, glorious sun, no wind, ideal running weather as I parked up at Croy station to register. I saw so met so many locals and friends and it was good to see a lot of dressed up folk milling about, I myself don't do dress up...although I did contemplate going as a retail worker (I was working after at my retail job)

Anyway, enough rambling, the race: After a briefing by race director, James, we were off down the old railway track, I settled into my pace. The first mile is a steady uphill section along the railway line, it allows the field to spread nicely before the rougher parts of the track start. And I tried to find my ideal position at this point, mostly overtaking as I started relatively far back, not knowing how I'd feel, apparently not too bad then. Crossing the railway the fun in the mud starts and I was in a comfortably paced single file by this point. The new, and in my opinion improved, route skirts the quarry and heads straight uphill, my legs felt heavy on this part and I knew the strength wasn't quite there. Although I ran the whole climb, just a short 0.5 miles with up to 12% gradient. after that it was down hill and round the Croy hill area, single tracks and forest, beautiful. I relaxed into my run, knowing I could do a bit of overtaking in the up and coming wider tracks, which I did.

Coming along the canal and into the area of Kilsyth and the Drumbreck marsh I felt amazing, and managed sub 8 min miles for the following 3 miles, overtaking a few folk, one of which was the leading female Rachel, although I didn't know this at the time. Got a high five from all round lovely lady Ruth marshalling at the canal road crossing. She refrained from telling me I was leading (she knows me well :) )

The last three miles I knew where going to be tough, two big climbs and my legs had confirmed they weren't liking climbing today, so I pushed, I didn't pass anyone, and wasn't passed by anyone at all on Barr hill, the forestry climb was fine, but as I got to the more open and steeper part I did struggle. I made up a bit of time on the down hill but I still had the Croy hill to go (ooohh noooo!) It's my hill rep area of choice so I've spend time in the pain cave here. As I crossed the road, I glanced back to see Rachel gaining on my, she was running well, looking super strong. Could I hang on? I tried, but she passed me on the ascent. I'm sorry if I didn't say well done, I don't think I could've mustered it...

At this point I'd heard I was second, so I tried to hang on till the end, I pushed, I really did, telling myself, as I was chasing Rachel, the third lady was chasing me. I kept her in my sights, all that was to do was the downhill, then a reverse of the starting mile and a bit to the finish. I dug deep, sprinting down at sub 7 min miles, trying to stay upright on the now even boggier mud fest, crossing the railway. I passed a runner in the mens race with about 0.5 a mile to go, he told me to chase her. I did, although I knew I would not take the first place at this point, I decided if I did catch her we'd finish joint first, if she agreed. But I couldn't, the lady ran well, taking first by 18 seconds. And I happily took second.

What a great race, Louise Taylor came in third 2 mins 2 secs later, congratulations all round. And water and medals from my good friend Paul.
Croy hill by Gleb Vulf


Conclusion: At work we are told not to get 100% in our audits because the only place to go then is down. So, although I always strive for the best I can be, being first only allows you to battle yourself, you can never be better than first, so it leaves your only option being setting new pr's, or course records. Which are goals certainly not to be sniffed at, but they come from a place inside us. A battle with ourselves if you wish, which is a harder one to fight. With good competition, we allow ourselves to be pushed by others, not in order to be better than them, but to be better than we were, but using their drive as a tool to drive us forward in our training. It's a useful tool, so on that note, onwards to the next challenge, better traing The Wooler Marathon. And thoughts of next years races.



A huge thank you to every one involved in the organisation of this fabulous event, every volunteer and supporter. And every runner, well done, we all, as a unit, drive one another to succeed. Thank you :)