BATTLE OF THE BONES!
It just kind of happened in a sort of synchronistic way.
As Rob parked up at the race a guy across the parking lot was putting on a skellington 'bones' vest!
Rob said oh No! zipping down his thermal top to reveal his very own brand spanking New identical 'Bones' vest!
Dam, It always happens, buy a new party dress and someone else always turns up in an identical item; said Rob!
A race of two halves.
Well the first half went quite well for me, setting the Garmin pacer for a 1.20 finish i felt quite good even passing a few runners going up the first hill between 7-8 miles.
But the second climb shortly after took the wind out of my sails so to speak.
The legs became heavy and I started to feel slightly dizzy!
A fair sized group passed me as I groveled my way up the hill!
Down the other side and onto the flat I recovered my stride somewhat and held myself together until 12 miles where team mate Rob McGrath came flying past wearing his new skellington bones vest.
Rob was chasing hard after the other guy in the 'Bones' vest and eventually out kicked him to the line.
Rob finished with a very respectable 1.21.49 for 19th place and first Skelly!
As for me I was now in deep trouble as my sciatic problem reemerged sending shooting pains down the back of my leg.
Fearing my calf might lock again like in the Birkenhead 5 mile race in June I limped to a jog for the final half mile, finishing with 1.22.45
Oh well a trip to the chiropractor should sort me out!
Paul Cain hoping for a sub 1.30 also found the second hill slowed him down finishing with a 1.31.
Matt Thompson [new SWAC member] impressed with 1.20 and 8th place.
So not quite the result I wanted but hopefully my good form will return again by next year!
LANCASTER 1/2 COMPETITION
One person happy with my result was Johnny Fandango.
Johnny's guess;
Rick - It hardly seems fair that I should take yet more candy from these babies. But I am a bloody fat git, in need of Matt Fitzgerald's dietary advice.
So, with apologies to all other correspondents, I can confirm that you will run 1:22.15 in Lancaster.
Have fun.
Johnny Fandango
Amazingly Johnny was closest with his guess, which means he has now WON two x in a row!
I phoned him the good news shortly after my arrival back home, he said he was delighted!
Finally
It's not been an easy week, I found out on Thur by way of a court letter that my wife is taking me to the cleaners over our divorce!
It seems likely my and Tess will be sleeping on park benches in the not too distant future.
Anyone got any good ideas on how to keep warm on a icy cold winters night?
So anyway off to my solicitors tomorrow.
