England Masters Inter Area Indoor Championship’s at the Lee Valley athletics centre.
First “serious” race for me in the vets and masters tournaments. I got selected for the men’s 60+ 200 metre team based on a 100m and a 400m run I did last year in the southern vets league.
With just 4 weeks notice pressure was certainly on as I’d never run a 200 or on an indoor track before. It’s very disconcerting running on a tight bend with a camber and I stumbled a little on the final bend but held it together thankfully.
We got off to a fabulous start. The first leg runner has just returned from the Indoor European championships with a 60m gold medal so we got off to a great start!
I was put on leg 3 so my chances of dropping the baton were double 😬 and with seven other teams vying for position I was glad we were in the lead at the exchange. Anyway I put those baton dropping thoughts out of my head, took the baton safely, and just ran my heart out.
I was really surprised how good I felt and managed to maintain my speed for most of the leg only tiring slightly on the hand over. There’s definitely more there. Can’t wait for the outdoor season now.
I ran my split in 28,0 dead and was really happy with that time. It was the second fastest on the team too.
It was a long way to drive for 30 seconds of running but it was really worth it. I’m hoping to get selected for an individual event soon. That’s my target anyway. For now it’s back to the gym and track for more training. I can do this!
Well done to all you runners out there today. You’re all fab 👍💪💥
Written by
RunBrianRun
Half Marathon
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Wow! And don’t you all look professional in your kit? Who’d have thought that c25k could lead to you running for UK? Good luck with this new adventure Brian.
Thanks Dexy5 It was exhilarating, I’m not yet racing for the GB team. This race was the England Area teams, I’m targeting the GB Team at the Gothenburg world championship in 2024. Everything crossed that my training and health are good. 👍
Absolutely epic Brian, all of you. Seeing your training on Strava left me in no doubt that if your team mates were half as speedy as you, you’d win this weekend. You didn’t disappoint! 🏆🎉
I bet you’re totally buzzing. Really well done! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you Irishprincess 😊 There was a live stream I believe and a few others were recording events. I’d love to see it too 😂 so if I find anything I’ll let you know. 👍😊
I have used gyms in hotels before but this time I’ve joined an actual gym and I’m paying membership. I had my induction 2 weeks ago and it was really hard work but I know I need to build up my strength to stay fit and healthy and to stay in shape for running. I’m actually enjoying it so far 😬
It’s also in the sports complex where the track is, so it works really well as I can follow the gym with some track work or vice versa.
I've never used a gym either TailChaser and have absolutely no intention of ever doing so! But there again I'm nowhere near RunBrianRun 's standard, nor do I have your level of commitment. 😀
Brilliant! Just red some of your old posts! So wow! And many other wows! What a journey! (I think that you are 2nd from the left) Fantastic! 🎉👏💪🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️I am shaking my head in wonderment!!!!! 😊
☺️ that’s such a lovely reply 😊 thank you so much for that, it’s very much appreciated. I’m just off to “the hill” for more intervals. Your encouraging words will spur me on!
I’m third from the left in that picture. The chap on my right is the current European 60m champion! He’s SO fast!
One of your posts that I read suggested that your brother running with you helped, if I remember correctly, a new parkrun PB. Is your brother still running? I have never been that good at faces! Just wondering if being shorter, implying shorter legs puts you at a disadvantage for speedy running. Clearly you do brilliantly what ever your height! 😊🏃🏻♂️
My brother is my inspiration. He’s been through hell and back with cancer and still he keeps on running. He’s currently suffering with a bad bout of covid but is still hoping to make the Brighton Marathon in April. It’ll be his 10th Marathon.
He got me started and believing in myself. I love running with him but our training paths are very different now so we don’t run together as often as we might. In fact just writing this now makes me think we ought to go for a Parkrun together when he is fully recovered.
I think having shorter legs is actually a bonus for sprinters as it lowers the centre of gravity. Many sprinters have short legs and longer backs. Being short certainly doesn’t seem to matter too much either. I really don’t know. Food for thought though. 🤔
I really don't claim to have any knowledge at all in such matters. I have not given a thought to my centre of gravity recently if ever!! My husband tells me that Ussain Bolt was unusual in terms of a sprinter's build. I have just realised that I had my left and right confused when I described your position initially!!! Oh dear! 65 and can not reliably look at a photo and describe a person's position. So the European 60m champion is the shorter runner, with the muscular legs and long black socks.
Your brother sounds truly amazing. I hope that he is soon over Covid. People seem to vary so much as to how poorly they are and even what symptoms they have with Covid.
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