Race day !
Sue and I climbed into the car a tad before half six and made our way to Nuneaton arriving around six.
We parked up then took a leisurely stroll to The Pingles stadium.
First job was to make myself known to the team leader and collect my numbers .
Sue and I then found a bench on which to wait for my start at five past eight.
We watched a few other events before I needed to warm up.
At around eight, we were called to the start line.
Because of the number of walkers taking part the race would be, in effect, four races in one. The male over thirty fives (M35); female over thirty fives (W35); M50 (my category) and W50 would all be walking around the track together.
At 22:05, we were lined up ready for four and a bit laps of the track. The gun went off and so did we.
After the initial jostling for position, we settled into our individual rhythms. Over the next few laps, I managed to overtake a couple or so walkers, passing the last one in a final ‘sprint’ down the home straight.
My time for the mile was 11:52 with which I was happy, especially as I have done almost no training this year.
As this was the first time the mile had been added to the series, all Nuneaton participants managed to achieve a PB !
Looking at my walk on Strava later revealed a strange pattern with my pace slowing over the bend coming into the home straight then accelerating towards the finish line.
Does this mean anything ?
No idea !
I am still awaiting the results but I earnt at least a point for the club. The next event in the series is on 14th June in Leamington Spa.
I’m not sure whether I’ll be take part – yet !
The Results are in
A day after the event and I’ve received an email with the results.
In my race, I came third out of four (so not last).
My official time is a few seconds quicker than my watch time of 11:52.
My efforts also gained the club six points.
Overall, in match two of the current series, Nuneaton came third with 93.5 points; two and a half points more than the team placed forth.
I like to think that without my six points, the Harriers would have come forth !
