I ran two back to back 100m races at the Worthing Open on Tuesday this week and the next day I ran another 100m race at the Sussex Masters League in Eastbourne.
This was a pretty tough ask as most of you know, I was coming back from a heavy dose of covid that wiped me out and just wouldn’t clear off. I really didn’t think I would run any races at all as I had tried to run a gentle 5k on the Saturday the week before and it was ok but my heart rate was really high for what was only a 40 minute jeff. That made me think I’d be silly to run at all in June.
Anyway, as usual I rarely listen to my body 😅 and did two gym and track workouts (although at much lower volume) and felt surprisingly ok and decided I might as well try the Worthing open as I’d paid for it. More of a “let’s see where I am after covid” trial run.
I’d also spoilt myself with yet another pair of magnificent adidas spike shoes which conveniently arrived on the Monday before Worthing! Had to give them a run out didn’t I? 😊
The Worthing Open is a fantastic event. Slick organisation, laser timing, and a lovely atmosphere. It’s for all ages and there was a a good mix of runners in every race including a couple of Great Britain sprinters. Weather was amazing too! Sola reminded me that this was her old leisure centre and she has also run on this track! Sweet 😊
My first race was at 7pm. There were 7 heats, fastest to slowest runners, based on season’s best performances. This made the races much more competitive of course. It also meant that I was in the last heat as one of the slowest runners but also the oldest by some 35 years and, in other cases, 45 years or more 😅😂. These events are all about times and not places, so it really didn’t matter at all. It just helps to have others in the race of similar speed as you to drive you on to a faster time.
The first race of the evening saw me crossing the line in 12.76 which is a HUGE improvement on my PB (13.01). To say I was happy was a massive understatement!
The second race was an hour later after the 800m runners. I didn’t bother with a long warmup at all as I was still pretty tired and legs were a bit sore. I took an ibuprofen which helped me as my back was a bit sore too. The first heat was super quick and a new track record was set of 10.43 by a Worthing Harriers runner. Soon it was my turn to race. I was in the last heat again this time in lane 4 and I felt totally relaxed and confident after my first race.
I set my blocks up on the track and tried a test run out and all seemed good to go. We were then under starter orders (so no mucking about allowed 😅) and he called us to our marks which basically means get into your blocks and settle down. He then calls “set” but only after every athlete is motionless in their marks position. At this point I lift my butt and tense hard pushing back into the blocks waiting for the gun. It’s all about focus on the race ahead and executing the start with a huge shove and drive, bringing the hips forward and swinging the arms into action, staying low with short steps driving as hard as you can to accelerate as quickly as possible.
I got a great start this time and anticipated the gun perfectly! My drive was a little short and I popped upright too soon but it was too late to do anything about it. The young lad on my inside had got ahead of me at this point and I started to chase him down. I felt super strong in the last 40 meters and overtook him and the 35 year old to win the race in another PB of 12.74 which, if ratified, makes me currently number two in the UK for 100m! I don’t know where this extra boost came from at 60m but I think the shoes definitely helped 😊. Good, as now I have an excuse to buy a back up pair. 😂
Bolstered by my fine form I decided I’d like to pop along to the Sussex Masters League event in Eastbourne the following day to represent my club in the league. It’s altogether a much more relaxed occasion than the Worthing open and only uses hand timings which I hate now as they are inaccurate and cannot be relied on for a true time. Anyway, as I was a late entrant they put me down an age group to race with the 50 year old youngsters which I was very happy about as my arch nemesis was there!! Yes, the chap who kicked my butt in my first ever 100 event and every race since then. I didn’t care about times as there was a pretty stiff headwind. I had my eyes and mind on beating him!! As there were 8 runners, we were split into two races, the final positions being decided on time. Pure luck meant nemesis was in my race! By the way I should say here that he’s a lovely chap and we get on really well. He’s also a world 800 metre champion from 2019 so not really a sprinter. But he is 10 years younger than me. 😅
Anyway I got off to another flying start and the race was underway! I was behind a really fast runner who I’d met in Worthing and he was off and away. I stuck with him for about 30 metres but then I got left in his wake. Anyway, I put my head down, relaxed my arms and shoulders and got on with beating the man. I crossed the line and looked back and to my joy and surprise I had beaten him, and by a good margin! I also came 2nd out of the 8 runners! Not bad for an old boy 😅😂
So Mr Covid you didn’t get me! I was forced into resting and, despite feeling dreadful, it actually helped me. Who would have thought it?
I have a couple of photos that I’d like to post. One from Worthing and the other from Eastbourne showing me crossing the line ahead of nemesis.
Sorry it’s a long post and well done if you made it this far!
