It was the handicap hurdles this evening! The first real run since the Great South, so we added a little bit of fun along with some competition, add in some very cold weather and it was the perfect recipe for a great evenings running.
The idea was to take peoples averages over the last few runs, calculate the time it would take them to complete the 4.3mile route and then set them off at intervals based on everyone finishing the race at the same time!! It meant that some people were being chased round the circuit trying to ensure no one beat them, while the others were working hard to catch those in front. I wasn’t sure if it would be like the hare and the tortoise or more like a greyhound race. Greg was more the Rabbit than the Hare though as he set off first and at a pace that certainly shocked a few people. May be it was the psychological advantage that Greg needed. As he complete the race where he started it… in 1st place. He certainly was pushed hard being chased and his 9m 25s per mile was his fastest average since May, proving he really didn’t want to get caught! At the other end Mike had to wait 16minutes before we let him set off. He was determined to get to the front and did fantastically well to catch up with most people. His average…an amazing 6m 33s was a PB!! I think he enjoyed the chase!
We had two new runners this evening, a big welcome to Nina and Carl. Not to be outdone by the event they teamed up with Mark and Sharon respectively. Carl and Sharon flew round, I am not sure who was pushing who but they finished with an average of under 9 mins per mile to equal Sharons PB of 8m 56s!! Nina did fantastic completing a 5k route non-stop and in a very respectable time too! Well done guys, I hope to see you back next week.
In the middle of the group we had Charles and Alistair. Alistair found the cold weather tough on his asthma this evening, but his 9m18s per mile was still very impressive. Charles was caught just on the final stretch by Mike, but the extra competition saw Charles achieve his best time since August!
All in all, the extra edge and competition pushed everyone a little harder this evening and it was pleasing to see a few new Personal Bests there this evening. Next week we start the preparation for the Stubbington 10k!! Watch this space!!
| Name | ACTUAL TIME | Average |
| Mark | 00:37:10 | 00:12:23 |
| Mike Y | 00:28:00 | 00:06:33 |
| Charles | 00:40:43 | 00:09:31 |
| Alistair | 00:39:50 | 00:09:18 |
| Greg | 00:40:19 | 00:09:25 |
| Sharon | 00:38:15 | 00:08:56 |
| Nina | 00:37:10 | 00:12:23 |
| Carl | 00:38:15 | 00:08:56 |
