Another week, another relay. For the 'big' clubs last weeks North West Counties was the rehersal and Saturday's six stage at Blackp[ool was most definitely the dance! Penny Lane entered two teams and depite losing James to the Harriers, on paper this was probably as strong an A and B team we could field. Realistically we're never going to qualify for the Nationals (top 25 place required) and finishing in the top half is as good as we could hope for.

These events are always great for team building and with us on the verge of the cross country season it was a good chance to show we can be competative. Captain Dale had purchased an 'event tent' which along with the faled Penny Lane sails gave us a base and made us look the part. As daft as it sounds I also think this little touch adds to your confidence that you belong here and we're not here just to make up the numbers!

After a quick run around parts of the course and having watched the first two legs I agreed with Martin S that the best way to tackle this race was to progress rather than try to blast it from the off. I personally didn't enjoy the course,it was relativley flat but there were too many twists, especially in the first half of the course where you're looking to build momentum.

Out of 89 comlete teams - Penny Lane A team finished 49th with the B tean in 65th - for a club of our size and stature this is a great acheievement. It ws brilliant day and once again you could feel the team spirit with all the lads out on the course cheering each other on.

I ran much better than the NW counties, I’m still doing Arley Hall 10k this weekend but will carry on with my normal training. My main target is the Wirral Half and I’m defo getting fitter, I was 35secs slower than one Carl the Harriers last Sunday on a shorter course in the counties but this week at the 6 stage I was only 12 secs off him. He might have had a bad run but I'll assume he didn’t!