I’ve been targeting the 100 metres at this event for quite some time as I’ve been running well but all my good times so far this season have been illegal as the wind was too fast. I had slipped down the rankings to 9th place and probably out of the top 10 before too long so it was really important to lay down a good time and haul myself back up there.
The 100 metre races were due off at 6.15, but even so I turned up really early and, as it was my home track, I decided to head straight to the gym for some stretches and warmup before heading back to the track. I did a 400m warmup jog followed by lots of drills that are becoming second nature to me now. It’s a really fine balance between warming up and getting the body ready for all out sprinting and tiring yourself out before the race even starts. I try to finish my warmup routine about 15-20 minutes before my scheduled start when I’ll pop a glucose tablet or two to top up the sugar reserves.
I don’t seem to suffer with pre race anxiety like I used to anymore which is a real blessing as it used to start days before the race and build up massively before the start. I saw Garmin once had my HR at 155 at the start line - scary 😦
Nowadays I do get a little nervous but it’s channeled and focused on me performing my best and not worrying about the race as such. It really helps!
Anyway, I was in the last heat of 10 with others roughly the same time as me based on current season’s performance. I was the oldest by some margin in my race as this was not a masters event (i.e. old people), but an open event where anyone can sign up. I say race, but these events aren’t really races in the strictest sense. They are more like time trials where the objective is to use the other runners in your race to spur you on to faster times. There are no medals just PBs hopefully.
The forecast was for rain to start at 6 and the wind was showing south westerly both of which were depressing news this morning as that is far from ideal running conditions. At 6.30 the heavens opened and it poured down as I was waiting in line behind the previous heats to race. I started to get cold and was glad I kept my running tights and top on. I would take these off at the last minute to race.
Before long my race was ready to be called by the starter. It was at this time that I said a quick get well soon to my injured VRBs here. Motivation to do well for them!
Eventually it was our turn and I set up my block and did a quick trial start. We were called to our marks and I stared ahead at the finishing line, focusing intently on it and the lane in front of me as I settled back into my blocks. The rain was chucking it down now and puddles were forming on the track. The silence is eerie at this time as everyone in the stadium is quiet. All I could hear was the rain falling and the breathing of the guys either side of me.
The starter called us into the set position, and I raised my hips and tensed every muscle I had waiting for the bang. Focus Brian!!
Bang and then bang again. Two bangs! That can only mean one thing, a false start. 😬 I knew it was me and I couldn’t believe it! I thought that was it. Race over. Disqualification. I was gutted. I could have kicked myself. We all walked back to the start line and took up our positions waiting for the inevitable.
The starter’s assistant walked across into my lane delved into his book and showed me a black and red card. I was so angry with myself and started to walk off, but he called me back. He said that’s a warning card and that I could still run!! OMG. I can still run. I was in a turmoil of emotion as I was convinced it was a clear false start.
There wasn’t much time to get myself back in tune with the race but my start routine is becoming a ritual now and that really helped me settle down and focus as we were once again called to our marks.
I look up at the lane and finish line one more time before lowering my head and stare at the track beneath me. “Set”……BANG!
No false start this time but I hung back and knew it was a rubbish start but that didn’t matter I pushed as hard as I could out of the blocks which made a clanging sound behind me with the force and started my drive phase. By this time at least two other runners had pulled out a lead on me which meant I had two targets to chase I tried my best to relax but it was so hard as I knew I had ground to make up if I wanted that PB. I dug really deep as we passed 60 metres and started to close on the chap to the left of me. This really helped me and I almost had him as I crossed the line. I glanced up at the race timing clock and saw 13.5 but that was ok as I’d already crossed the line ahead of that.
The electronic scoreboard had its back to me so I couldn’t see my actual time. I honestly didn’t know what to expect except I could see some club friends of mine pointing at the board and then me and yelling my name at me.
I walked back to the finish line and saw that I had crossed the line in 12.74. What!! That’s a massive PB!
The stadium announcer then said that I not only beaten my PB but, the wind was legal, and that the time places me 3rd in the current UK rankings.
I was rather overwhelmed and held my head in my hands and I’ll be honest I almost shed a tear. Lots of people were applauding me as I walked back to the start to get my stuff. Bewildering to say the least.
I suppose the takeaway is stop being so half glass empty. When I posted that weather update earlier I was right then in the dumps. Thank you for your messages of support. They are very much appreciated and I’ll stop moaning in future. 😂
The picture is of a very happy old man looking like a water logged vole. 😂
Colchester Half