1500m Trafford GP and Sefton Park 5 mile

I ran my first 1500m in nearly 30 years on Tuesday at the ever popular Trafford Grand Prix. I had intended sitting this out as it was the night before the Sefton Park 5 miler and I know I wasn't really in great shape but I thought 'life's too short'. With the 800m running over schedule, the Grand Prix 1500m heats were bumped for the BMC events so after a fruitless warm up I had to wait over an hour to race.

I should have just sat in the stands and watched the rest of the event but ended up walking around chatting, wasting precious energy by staying on my feet. I also wanted to get in the same heat as Sophie who I train with and is just as quick as me. I thought we were in the 3rd heat and when we got to start line Sophie told me we weren't. It was 21:40 (I'm usually in bed at 22:00!) by now and I'd had enough of waiting around and decided to go in the quicker heat just to get it over with.

The gun went and cavalry charge dashed away. I decided to hang off the back and planned to run 72 second laps and hopefully wind it up with 300 to go. I fudged my stop watch so was running 'on instict' but was horrified to hear the time keeper give 69 for the 1st lap and I was still at the back!

You've all seen a race where the kid in last is massivley off the pace and looks like he's running in custard - that was me! I didn't panic and tried to stick with my lap times but by 1000m I was way off the pace and feeling the pinch in my little legs and lungs. I could only smile as I was cheered/heckled by team mates/coaches/mates 'don't get boxed in' and 'you can still win this' being my favourite shouts of encouragement!

With a lap to go I tried desperately to dig in and coach Dave informed me I was 40 mins with 200m to go. My ideal sub 4:30 was a possible but not probable as I swung around the bend and nearly caught the kid who was in second to last. 4.33 was the final time, a few big lessons learnt with regards to pacing/preperation but I'll be back and I know I can run quicker.

Sophie ran in the next heat and had a blinder, running 4 secs quicker than her predicted time and finishing 3rd. Oddly enough, my time would have won that heat! Hat's off to my PLS buddy James McNally who ran 3:58 for the 1500m - truly outstanding!

The following day was the Sefton Park 5 mile which is probably the longest consecutive running road race in Liverpool and has a very rich history. I can remember coming here with my dad to watch the event in the 80's and it was always a close run event. On Wednesday Penny Lane had set their stall to win the team prize, no mean feat considering the quality of runners in the city. Obvisouly it depends who turns up on the day and we all know if the best of the Harriers/Pembroke/Wirral/Southport decided to turn out the PLS wouldn't stand a chance.

The team prize consists of the first three men and top woman finish. I knew I wasn't in PB shape but looking around and the runners who were taking part, I was confident I could get close to the top 10. Only the super vet Andy Green was likely to give James and Martin a race so I was also excited that we might get the team prize.

I tried to stick to the 5:40 mile pace and had a great race with Steve Nijs from Knowsely, the two of us dragged each other around and after flagging at around 3 miles we both put a shift in to try and catch Al Ashton who I thought would easily win the V40 prize. We eventually got on Al's shoulder but instead of pushing on I eased off. Steve over took me but Al dug in to beat to take the vets spot.

James won the race, a great two days for him, with Martin afinishing 3rd, just a second off his PB! The Harriers 1st lady ran a stormer, beating all their lads bar one so we were bumped into 2nd for the team prize which was a tough pill to swallow, our first 3, 4, 5 and 6th past the post were better than any other club, oh well!

After a few wayward weekends burning the cadle and both ends, the training is back on schedule for me and although I've struggled with the form, I've not lost too much. I'm really looking forward to the next track race on 6th August, fingers crossed I can get another few PB's over 3k and 5k.