Although a semi insomniac, I wasn’t enthralled by the thought of a 0725 start time for my first season step up to a hopefully fast “50” miler at Newmarket. Leaving my lovely AirBnB with a belly full of porridge and honey, consumed an hour later than I would normally choose....and even the pre setting of “Wake Up” on the car music player didn’t work, have you tried banging out Rage Against The Machine at 6 in the morning? Waking up was an issue as was a grumbling oat filled tummy.
Apathy is not a great mental state is this context, but bumping into Rutland’s effervescent Joe Le Sage at the warm up area, made me book up, and some of Joe’s optimism seemed to fortunately rub off...however the warm up was very sweaty, no fun.Still a novice at this distance, this being my 4th attempt....pacing is key, not short enough to go out too hard, but short enough where you really need to be working from the start and not lose time, but you mustn’t blow....a contradiction?
Felt better racing than the warm up...some air movement....got into a rhythm and “sat” on the planned power output....hit the 25mile half way in 50-34, “fine, that’ll do” and felt comfortable....it didn’t last (I don’t think it does for anybody) - struggled but dug in, especially the last 12 miles and lost just a minute on the return - but hell, it was tough...recording a stomping 1-42-05.
Taking chunks off the Sheffrec club record.... N Mids and National Age records - however not quite as fast as former World Tour Pro, Marcin Bialobocki who set a new UK best....see the results
Four hours later and I’m wandering around Tramlines in Sheffield checking out some bands...but the legs aren’t interested.....this is friggin mad: just 2 days a go I was eyeing a possible debut at a late season “100” miler....but after that experience today, that’s not really an attractive idea, perhaps after a few sleeps, in fact make that many many sleeps 🤪
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