Ed: Martin steps up another level to compete with the athletes!

Jane Tomlinson Canal Run 5k,
Methley, nr. Leeds. 05/07/11
http://www.ukresults.net/2011/canalrun.html

Being new to competing at races I was somewhat nervous when I arrived at the start. Outside of several Park Runs and the Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10K I’ve not entered any other races before. This was full of club runners and they all looked very fast and I spotted many of them checking out the Vegan Runners vest. I met up with some of the Ackworth Road Runners that I’ve got to know and stayed with them at the start as we’d be on a similar pace.

After what seemed like an age the race started and, due to a uphill section right away, the field soon spread out. We crossed the canal for the long back leg of the race along the towpath. At this point I was keeping up with everyone and, once my breathing settled down, I opened up a bit and started passing people. I felt pretty good until the top end of the course. We started turning left and right through a marina and there were these annoying little stile type things to step over.
These completely threw my rhythm and from then on I found it hard work to get back up to speed.

In the last 1-1.5k I was passed by three people but still managed a sprint up the final rise. As I crossed the line I heard someone make a positive sounding comment about vegans and running. That made me smile.

So, the result then. 31st of 158 and a new PB of 20:35. I’m pretty happy with that. Thanks for reading.