Eastleigh 10k.
Fast almost flat urban road run. On the day a wind problem in places.
The master plan was to run three 10k events over three week ends with the aim of securing a good time for the distance. However went down with a bronchial infection before the Eastleigh 10k Sunday March 23rd but having paid my entry fee decided to use it as a training run. So having done the course previously in 40 mins 11 seconds on this occasion went around in 45mins 45seconds. Had been in communication with Darren Bailey prior to the event and although both wearing the Vegan Runners vest on the day neither spotted the other, in a field of 2,336 runners it happens. Having done an 18 minute Park run the previous Saturday, he was able to follow it up with a 10k PB at Eastleigh of 37 minutes 31 seconds and would have no doubt have broken 37 minutes if he did not have to pull up for 30seconds.
Eastleigh 10k Sunday March 23rd.
Darren Bailey 37 minutes 31 seconds, PB , 182nd, V45 16th.
Sidney DeLara 45minutes 45 seconds, 712th, V55 32nd.
2,336 runners completed the course.
Bournemouth Bay 10k.
Run along seafront for first 4k then up a zig zig which means you lose time, along cliff top then down on to sea front again for final 2k.
My PB for this course is about 41minutes 30 seconds. Again I was not feeling good, in fact worse than I did at Eastleigh but the bronchial condition was nearly out of the system. Like Eastleigh had paid the money so decided to run it. Clocks going forward an hour did not help. Felt bad at the start and did not get much better, struggling to achieve a decent pace ,so another one to file under “training run” coming in on 44minutes 57 seconds.
Bournemouth Bay 10k Sunday March 30th.
Sidney DeLara 44minutes 57 seconds , 91st , V50 10th.
1,225 runners completed the course.
Run Eton Dorney 5k
Flat fast PB course along the Olympic rowing lake in right weather conditions
Nightmare getting to this event, due to engineering works had to cycle two stations to get bike onto train, cycling from Maidenhead to Dorney needed nutrition on arrival but no Vegan offerings so cycled to restaurant at other end of lake (2k) but closed, eventually found a garden centre café nearby with Vegan GO bars and natural fruit juice. Thus all my pre race time used up , so quick change and on to starting line. This was supposed to be the third 10k, had not paid in advance for this one and although no longer bronchially affected decided I could probably run the 5k stronger than the 10k. With this event the 20k/10k and 5k runners all start together so difficult to know where you are standing in your event as you run round. Head wind as you ran down side of lake for first 2k so not as fast as expected. Crossed line in modest time of 20 minutes 45 seconds which on the day was good enough for 2nd overall just 8 seconds behind first place. So first silverware of year.
Run Eton Dorney 5k , Saturday April 5th.
Sidney DeLara 20 minutes 45 seconds, 2nd place.
50 runners completed the course.