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. 😂
Written by
RunBrianRun
Half Marathon
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I had to read it twice, the tension leading to the start and then the false start had me on the edge of my seat. What a great result Brian! All the work you put in totally pays off. I'm really proud of you and to have followed your running adventures. Where do you go from here? As to your earlier post, this unseasonal weather could have cancelled an event you trained hard for, you had every right to have a moan, and where better than here surrounded by supportive VRB's?
Huge well done and congratulations for a fantastic race/time trial 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you Sue. I’m going to keep pushing just to see where the top is. My next race is August 6th in Nuneaton. This is a key one as it is a BMAF event with means I’ll be running against the best masters athletes in the country. It’s a proper race with medals too I think. I’ll be representing the London running clubs in my age category. It’s an invitation only event so I’m very happy that I was picked for it. 😊
Then It’s a Southern Athletics League race back here in Brighton on the 19th and then the first of the big one is September 2nd in Derby. The U.K. BMAF championships. 😬
Hi again Sue in my reply to you earlier I forgot to say how happy I am to be part of this community. I love the support we give each other and these heartfelt messages of support truly spurs me on to do better. As you say nothing is better than having a moan with people who support you 😅
😁 Brian that's so lovely, yes this community is the very best supportive place for our successes as well as our moans and worries. I'm really proud to be part of others running journeys.
I can’t describe how thrilled I am for you Brian! I love reading your posts so much. It’s like a whole other world to this trundling snail, but my goodness it sounds fun and you describe it all perfectly, it’s like we’re there in person supporting you!
I bet you’re still over the moon this morning. No bling but a whole boatload of pride.
Ha ha thank you Cheeky! 😊 I do enjoy posting these reports. I hope to inspire others to pick up masters running too. It doesn’t have to be sprinting, there’s all the other events too.
I meant to add I’ve been buzzing all day but now I’m really really tired as I didn’t sleep well last night. As predicted 😂
Very. Very well done Brian. That really is totally amazing ! 3rd fastest in UK in your age group. 🥳🥳🥳
I am so proud that someone who started c25k has reached such dizzy heights. Just shows you don’t know what you can do till you try. I know faster , better isn’t the HU mantra but you are our graduate of 2018 poster boy. 😅 (or was it 2017 for you?)
Thank you Dexy5 I graduated in late 2017. I have C25K to thank for getting me started. The app set goals for me and I LOVE goals. 👍😃 I love the community here. It’s completely non judgemental and everyone of us here is a runner no matter how far or fast. 😊
Wow Brian, you had me on the edge of my seat. What a fantastic result. 3rd in the country 😳Amazing! Justified reward for all your hard work. 2 higher places to aim for now 😜
I’m glad you enjoyed the report Sandie. I’m up where I need to be to get to the Europeans in late September and I’m feeling very positive about the UK champs in September now. The chap in first place is a world champion and world record holder so the only way I’ll beat him is if I “accidentally” trip him up. 😂
Wow, just wow! I am SO pleased for you. The photo speaks volumes. How you cope with the focus and intensity of these events and fine, fine targets I have absolutely no idea. You are just amazing. Huge congratulations 👏 .
Thank you Linda, it is tricky trying to remember everything and then getting it all to happen at the same time and without fail is tough. It’s great for mental agility though and hey, anything that helps with that at my age, can only be good.
Brian! That was so exciting! And when you mentioned the false start I said out loud, “oh no” to which my husband asked me what the matter was 😂
When we watch athletics on TV we always say how harsh it is that someone is disqualified after only one false start. But thank goodness you got another chance. Phew!
I am thrilled for you. You’ve worked so hard and this is such an amazing result. Third in the UK!!! Many congratulations and very well done 👏👍🏃♂️👏💪
Congratulations Brian on that 12:74 PB for the 100 metres after that false start, I always feel it's unfair for a runner who has a false start and is eliminated especially if it was just a little too much pressure on the starting grid mechisim and the TV slow motion replay shows that he didn't try to jump the gun, good luck for your next race at Nuneaton in August.
Thanks AlMorr . I agree the false start system is very harsh. I recall Linford Christie in the 1996 Olympic final getting the red card after two false starts. His reaction time on the second start was 0.086 seconds! Under IAAF rules, sprinters are not allowed to start from their blocks faster than 0.1 seconds. He had never false started before either. What a place to get his first! 😞
The track officials are a pretty officious but necessary bunch tbh but their job is to enforce the rules and standards that athletics bodies set, even if they do seem a bit harsh. I got lucky.
That’s interesting as I think I have something like that going on under my right heel, It usually hurts in the morning but goes away after a short while. I’m seeing a foot doctor next week.
Wow! RBR that was a brilliant report, you had me tearful, fearful, sorry, excited and then ecstatic for you. That was thrilling! So very well done Brian 👍 🏎️ 🏁
Great run and superb write up Brian…reader on the edge of their seat stuff. You are having a really good season and (touching wood etc etc!!) your body is holding up really well….and your success lifts others up too, so thanks for sharing it 🙂
Yes, only for actual sprinting as they are bloody difficult to walk in and hurt my achilles if I have them on for too long. Other shoes are for warmups.
Another seriously not an old man photo! How wonderful to run like that and your body be happy with the exertion involved. I wonder how the younger runners feel having older runners running similar times.
Oh what a fantastic post Brian! So pleased for you - you clearly knew there was a special run in you and you ran this after having to hold back a little after the false start! Superb PB and ranking! 👏👏💪😀
Definitely Linda. It’s 100ths of seconds that count at this level. I know I’ve got more to come as my start was so poor. I’m hoping for 12.6 or better. Back to that gym!! 💪
Really utterly delighted for you RunBrianRun ! You've worked so hard to get where you are, in such a rigorous discipline. Here's to even more success for you! 🥂
Thank you Cmoi 😊 It is tough but so much fun. I just to need stay off the IC. Although having said that, it’s very difficult to avoid given the level training I do. I’ll do my best.
Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Whow that was very tense. I was almost in tears for you reading this and then I was cheering when you weren’t disqualified and placed 3rd. Congratulations 🥳 🏃♂️🏃♂️👍. Super photo too.
This was amazing to read! Thank you for all the detail. Clearly every detail matters and your relating it seems like slow motion account for something that is seriously speedy. I read it first when you posted it, but I have now forgotten the detail of my reaction. Then I read it to my husband and I have to confess your write up had me sobbing!! I am the sort who has cries when a little child, who I don't even know, completes their first width at swimming. For your race I think that it was something to do with all that led to these astounding 12.74 seconds! 6 years of your running journey and for some time now. I imagine, hours and hours of focussed training. Many many congratulations, just a fantastic achievement.
I do wonder how many hours of training you complete each week?
You really do not look like an old man and certainly don't run like one!
Only just found this-don't know hiw I missed it. CONGRATULATIONS. A brilliant result and an equally brilliant post. Had me on the edge of my seat as I read it!!! 🏆
Sorry I missed your reply here Week7 . I do try to respond to everyone but I’ve been very busy recently. Thank you very much for your reply. I am glad you enjoyed reading it. I hope I’m finally in a position where I can begin to dream of reaching the podium at national and international events.
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Kilomathon 13.1km completed