Too much of a good thing

It’s no great surprise that I seem to have developed some sort of eating compulsion; I just give into it so it’s not so much constant craving as constant grazing. No matter whether it’s sweet or savoury, I just can’t seem to pass up the chance of nibbling any food that’s around. This is not the most promising start to my marathon training programme. On the plus side I’ve not consumed much alcohol yet.

I felt reasonably well prepared for the Chevin Chase having run on both days prior to the race. I ran from home onto the chevin and jogged the middle section on the Friday and followed that with a good effort at parkrun on the Saturday chasing Andy Scott home, crossing the line in 6th (my highest finish of the year).

Conditions for the Chase this year weren’t brilliant being nowhere near as bright and crisp as last year. We seemed to set off without any warning or ceremony and there were an awful lot of people ahead of me heading up the hill out of Guiseley. I was determined to run a measured race and not get carried away so let the elves and angels fly past while I kept at what I considered to be a sustainable pace. Commiserations to the poor guy from Abbey who lost his Christmas dinner on the Miller Lane section; at least he was going well past the first gathering of spectators. I got a little worried that I might have set off too quickly when I overtook Sally Malir after a couple of miles as she’s faster than me at all distances, but had the comforting sight of Mick from Eccleshill ahead of me right through the wooded section.

I was 124th when we passed the marshal at East Chevin Road. Although it’s a useless piece of information, I like to know what position I’m in part way through a race and would appreciate this at all races please. I had to walk bits of the two remaining hills and was overtaken by stronger runners. I made up a couple of places heading back to Guiseley and finished 135th in 51:57.

I got really cold cheering in fellow club runners and appreciated the tea, hot water bottle, gloves and hat from Jaz and Tess. The three Elvises (Elvi?) were looking fine but sounding awful (Blue Suede Shoes) when they came in. I couldn’t fathom the seven to ten minute stile delay reported by runners towards the back of the field. I didn’t really remember the stiles, just threw myself over/through like the runner ahead of me and the runner behind. Apparently they got iced up.

Anyway, that’s marathon training started; sixteen weeks to get the bod into shape to tackle 26.2 miles. Pass the mine pies.


Photo - Thanks to Ian for braving the cold and capturing my finishing burst.
http://www.justgiving.com/LizJones1