I have always loved the local interclub series. There is just something about it that captures my imagination. I always see the start of the series as the beginning of the summer season and the return of the better weather. The sense of competition and the fact that every runner taking part is a registered club runner helps too. Then there is the racing in the evening aspect, I love that too - it is just something a bit different and it is great to be a part of a team event, I reckon it draws something extra out of your performance.
The series returned on Wednesday this week with the first race of the 2017 season, with Blackpool playing hosts to the first fixture once again with their two lap course totalling 4 miles around Stanley Park.
You tend to find that the turn out is typically that little bit better for this first fixture, as the sun tends to be shining and as all the teams look to try and make the best possible start to their campaign. The turnout this time around didn't disappoint, with almost 400 runners making their way to the startline.
At the beginning of the week, heading towards race day, my knee was thankfully beginning to feel a bit better and the pain that I have been experiencing in recent weeks was subsiding more each day. I had just ran fairly steady through both Monday (10.5 miles at 6:27 pace) and Tuesday (8.5 miles at 6:35 pace) and so I was feeling fairly fresh going into the race.
Fortunately I had managed to arrange a job just around the corner from Stanley Park for Wednesday and so I was able to get to the venue in plenty of time for a good long relaxed warm up without stressing about innocuous things such as parking and traffic. I did a 3.5 mile warm up, sprints and stretches and still had time for a bit of a mooch around and a good chat with a few friends prior to the start.
There was plenty of competition at the front end for this first race, with usual suspect Rob Affleck accompanied by Dave Rigby who was back sporting his Preston Harriers vest as he used the race as a sharpener ahead of representing Salford at the national road relays at the weekend. Luke Minns was also there running for Blackpool, so it was all set to be a fast pace from the outset.
Once we got underway, I managed to manoeuvre myself to the front of the pack as we headed into the park and down through the wooded area for the first time. The pace through the first mile was very good as we went through in 4:49 and myself and David Rigby managed to open up a bit of a gap to those following as the course headed out onto the perimeter of the park for the first time.
Through mile two, the pace remained fairly quick as the course carried us back into the park over the little bridge and as we headed around the lake and skate park and back towards the fountain that signalled the end of the first lap. We encountered one small problem as we completed the lap, as an off lead dog was left by its owner to run across the course and jump around my ankles - fortunately this time I managed to stay on my feet and didn't lose too much momentum, even if I did have to alter my path and put the brakes on to miss colliding with it. Again I apologise to those around that would have heard some bad language on my part - sorry!!
The pace through that second mile had remained under 5 minute mileing, as I clocked 4:57, and still there was absolutely nothing separating the two of us as we pushed each other every step of the way heading into the second half of the race.
I managed to pinch a few yards worth of time advantage through the third mile despite the pace easing back slightly as I held out ready in case a big finish was needed. Still I recorded 5:05 for the third mile so it still wasn't a slow mile. Then on the final mile the pace increased again as the end of the race was in sight, I had felt surprisingly comfortable throughout the entire race and even in the final stretch I felt as though I had more left in the tank despite finishing with a 4:57 mile there was no real sprint to the finish as I was happy to run it in with the knowledge I was well under my 20 minute target and enough of a gap behind me, finishing in 19:43.
The performance bodes really well ahead of Salford 10k on Good Friday if I can maintain my form.
The rest of the Wesham team performed brilliantly too and we pulled something of a shock off to come away from race one with the men's team victory - a great performance and a remarkable result for us really considering the strong opposition. Hopefully we will continue to turn out in force to have a successful season.
The second half of the week was mainly about recovering from the race and building up as many miles as possible before the weekend as I was away on a stag do with the lads so wouldn't be in any state to run!
On Thursday I doubled up, clocking 5 miles before work at 6:50 pace, followed by 9 miles in the evening at 6:35 pace. Then on Friday I got up at 5:45am to sneak another 8.5 miles in at 6:30 pace before heading off to meet the boys for a weatherspoons breakfast.
I had Saturday off and then completed my week with a long run on Sunday afternoon as soon as I arrived back home. I consciously made the decision to run on feel and not look at my watch, expecting it to be a hard slog after a few days on the beer, so I was shocked to see that I had averaged 6:03 pace for the 16.5 miles when I reviewed my run afterwards. I must still have been drunk is all I can say, as it felt remarkably laid back and comfortable!
Total mileage for the week: 69
Average pace for the week (m/pm): 6:24
Total mileage so far this month (April): 97
Total mileage for 2017: 957.5
Average miles per day 2017: 9.67
