The 5k race at Silksworth on the edge of Sunderland has a
reputation for being a fast course. This is on account of 500metres of downhill
at the start. However, tonight the wind was up a little and the crowd of 250
runners had to work hard to achieve any glory. Having spent 7 hours in the car
beforehand, I was still feeling, surprisingly, quite chirpy as we collected our numbers and I
was aiming for a sub-18 minute run, which should be in the bounds of
possibility. We went hell for leather
down the hill upon hearing the whistle and with the ‘ski-ramp start’ out of the
way, it was head down into the wind for
the two laps around the park. The first kilometre was cracked in 3:26 but I
steadily slowed to complete the 4th kilometre in 3:47. I thought I
was on for a good time. With no more 'go-juice' in the tank, I found myself
surrounded in the last 500m by 3 women who were have their own competition for
3rd place. Needless to say they all got passed me as the needles on my
eye-dials read ‘empty’. It was 17:57 by
my watch on the line and 17:59 on the results sheet which, all in all, I was
quite happy with.
I’ve entered the Coastal Run between Beadnell and Alnmouth on
Sunday; Its only the second time I’ll have done this, so quite looking forward
to it. Having just come back from a week in Picardie where I gave the wine a
body swerve, I think there’s a little form returning, so might stretch my legs
on a Hill run soon. I’ll take the camera on Sunday. 
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