Southern Counties Champs report. Take the good with the bad!

[RunBrianRun]

I think it’s about time I wrote a race report. Mainly because there haven’t been any yet this year for me till now. 😂

What went well?

1. My dodgy right ankle was in remission and during the warmup I didn’t feel any pain. Mind you, I did take a lot of painkillers just in case along with a good amount of KT tape.

2. My start was better than I first thought as I managed to watch a video of the race once I got home.

I came 4th out of 10 runners.

3. I got a PB of 8.31 seconds smashing my previous one from last year.

4. My ankle held up and it’s still ok 👍

5. My time puts me 6th overall in the country.

6. I have loads to work on in training!

What didn’t go well?

1. The end of the drive phase (the bit after I’ve left the blocks) was poor.

2. I slowed up towards the end compared the two that beat me. I was neck and neck for the first 40 metres.

3. My time was slower than I was hoping for as I have been going faster in training.

4. I pulled out of the 200m race as I didn’t want to risk my ankle on the tight bends on the indoor track. I’d like to have done it but decided to quit while I was ahead.

5. It’s a bloody long way to go for a 9 second race. 😂

6. Missed out on the medals 😞

I’ve also decided to pull out of the U.K. Indoor Championship next weekend. I’ve got plenty to work on and I need to be stronger. Plus it’s a 4.5 hour journey and a 2 night hotel stay (just too expensive).

Overall I’m a mix of emotions. Really glad that the season for me has started reasonably well and glad that my ankle injury seems to be resolved. Disappointed in my time but happy that I know I can do better.

I should add that these events are truly delightful. The people taking part and the marshals are all really friendly. It’s such a nice atmosphere. I’d really recommend masters track and field athletics to anyone who is interested. It really helps with overall fitness and well being. I’ve never felt fitter or stronger in my entire life.

The picture is of the end of my race. There’s not that much between me and the current UK leader. I can do this 💪

[Cmoi Marathon]

6th overall in the country?! That makes you an absolute superstar in my book RunBrianRun , notwithstanding any can do better feelings. Though I have to say I agree about the bloody long way to go for a 9 second race!

It's awesome, in the true sense of the word, how much you've achieved since C25K!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you for your kind words cmoi, My super ambitious goal is to get into the top 5 in the country by the end of the season in either the 100 or 200. But more realistically I hope to get into the top 10. I was 18th in the 60 last year and 14th in both the 100 and 200 so the improvement continues. I do love goals 😅 x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I'm glad you wrote this RunBrianRun I've been hoping you would 😀 that's flipping awesome you know, rest that ankle, you are so amazing with that speed.Sounds like a great day, 🙂

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Aww that’s so sweet Sola. I’m really glad I wrote it now. It was a lovely day and I enjoyed every second of it. I will rest the ankle today and I’ll modify my gym workout later to allow for it. x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to RunBrianRun]

😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow. That's just amazing! Not least that you can achieve so much and STILL think you can do better 🙃I can't imagine all the tension that hangs on those 8 or 9 seconds. That's a challenge in itself.

You've got this. There's more to come. It's absolutely awesome. Sleep well tonight 💪😊

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda. I slept like a log. ☺️

I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I am before the start. My nerves are shot to pieces and I can actually hear my heart pounding in my chest. The good thing is that I seem to be better at controlling them than last year. If anyone has any advice I’d gladly listen to it.

Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate it. x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Brian, you are our HU track running hero! I’m so pleased so much went well - smashing your PB for example. 👊💥

You know what you want to work on, and it doesn’t sound like much bearing in mind you’re already 6th in the country. Simply wow!

Thanks so much for posting. It’s just amazing what you achieve. 👏👏👏👏

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you so much CC 😊 Nailing a PB is always a great feeling.

I love this community and I’m truly glad to be part of it, and representing it, when I run. I always tell other people I meet about it too. So supportive and welcoming. ☺️ Love it x

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well, I have to say you sound a bit hard on yourself considering you came 4th and are 6th overall in the country! 🤷‍♀️🤣 However, that’s the mentality of a champion right there RunBrianRun - so here’s to even faster times ahead! 🙂

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandra. It helps me to have goals to work towards, and I want to know that I’ve done my best to get there, even if I don’t quite make them. It’s something I’ve always had inside me. I also love inspiring other people especially those that really want to do better or get fit and well. x

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

You certainly are doing that.🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I can only echo what everyone else has said, you are a speedy running hero. I think you’ve done brilliantly to be 4th in something you’ve taken up so recently. A big well done to you. 👏🏻👏🏻

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you Dexy ☺️ I’m happy with 4th yesterday. It’s just really annoying when I know I can do better. It’ll come. Best thing is my coach looked at the run and is able to help me target some areas for improvement. 👍x

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Loads of positives, I think you did brilliantly RunBrianRun ! 👌x

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you, Aliboo ☺️ Yes, more positive than negatives for sure. x

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Great run and good decision making Brian. No sense in going for broke on your first outing of the year. Much better to stay in the game 👍

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you BC 👍 Absolutely, there’s a whole season waiting for me, and to spoil it so early on would be a nightmare.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Amazing start to the season Brian! I think you made the right call on maintaining the ankle. 6th in the country! You can probably taste that medal. You’ll get there soon enough, I know it!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker for your encouragement and belief in me ☺️ It would be lovely to grab a medal at some point. I’m targeting the inter area competition on the 26th at the moment. I’m currently reserve for the 60 and 200 but I’m definitely in the 200 relay team. I think there’s a good chance of something then. 🙏 🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You star Brian!!! ⭐️🏃⭐️👍 that is just an amazing achievement! To be 6th in the country is something to be incredibly proud of. Very well done to you.

I know you’ve worked very hard to get here and it’s clear from your attitude that there’s more to come. I look forward to your next event. Go you!!!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

That’s very sweet IP. ☺️ Thank you. I’m still learning. There’s just so much to learn and I love it even if it does take a lot longer to sink in that it used to. 😂

[R4inbow Ultramarathon]

That's amazing, well done Brian! Good to hear your ankle held up and is still ok too

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to R4inbow]

Thank you R4inbow 😊 I did get a twinge earlier when I popped to the corner shop. So glad now that I didn’t run that 200m 😬

[Week7 Half Marathon]

You are a real champion!! Can't believe I am on a running chat with someone who is 6th in the country for age - and so pleased you haven't risked the rest of the season by trying to do too much too soon. We need your posts!!!!🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Gosh that’s very kind. Whether I’ll still be 6th after the U.K. championships next week I doubt very much but I’ll take it while it’s there. 👍

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Being 6th in the country is only a reasonable start for you? 😳 That is incredible Brian. Mind you, given how far you’ve come in such a short time, I have no doubt that you will be giving your all to improve on that as the season goes on. Fabulous, well done 🥳👏🏻🥳👏🏻

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thank you, Sandie. You are right, It’s better than reasonable by most standards I’m just tough on myself. 👍😅

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Hi fabulous to know I’m not alone as a masters athlete here. I was also at that Inter Area Meet. I only ran the 200 relay as there are much faster runners than me that did the 60 and 200 individual races. It was a fun event. We would have been literally rubbing shoulders at the relay start area.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

I did the same as you  Hidden . I ran one half marathon which I didn’t enjoy, and a few 10ks which I did enjoy. I also loved parkruns and I will very likely return to them one day. I trained really hard and chased PBs but, even at my best, my age grading never got near 80%. I knew I was a decent sprinter as I ran at school and was pretty nippy back then. It was  TailChaser on the forum who mentioned masters running to me and I got onto that pretty quick and I’ve been hooked ever since. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to train as much as I’d like this year, as I’m nursing an ankle injury. Hopefully it’ll be ok soon. It’s pretty much ruined my indoor season tbh but there’s still plenty of time to prepare for the outdoor. I’m happy to share training ideas, help, advice with you if you want.