I had no immediate plans to race in August, but got a chance of a transferred number for the Newcastle Quayside 5k. After a little chin scratching, I gratefully accepted and signed up. I've ran this course many times. It goes from the Pitcher and Piano on the quayside past 2 or 3 of the bridges along the banks of the tyne and after a dead turn near to where the Environment Agency offices are (or were) you return on the concrete, slabs and tarmac back to the start and nip across the winking eye bridge finishing at the Baltic on the Gateshead side. It usually gets a decent crowd. There's also a natty t-shirt that goes to each finisher. Most of the clan had previously entered so it would be a family affair. On the night it was predictably scorchio and I had to sit out of the sun taking on water. I felt a sub-20 would be nice, but either way, I wasn't beating myself up about a slower time. Dave Nicholson was running and having done an early 19 a week or two before, I thought he would be good to follow. The dark destroyer and chef Linds also hover around the 19-20 mark, so I could also use them as pacers.
We cracked on from the start. In a flat 5k there's no time to fanny about; In space, no one can hear you sweat. You've got to get into your pace as soon as possible. Once my pulse had settled down and my heart had realised 'it was another one of those events' , around a kilometre, I pulled ahead of Nicholson and at 3k just after the turn I passed the dark one. She sets off fast, so I knew if I could maintain the speed, I could do a 19. Focusing on ensuring I didn't slip or batter into the street furniture or Joe public, I stuck to my task and came across the final bridge to land in 19:26 and pretty fooked I was too, having a good old retch, translated as the lungs saying 'wtf'. My vest was wringing. It sure was a hot one. We waited for the B race for Mrs Mac to arrive, finishing in a comfortable sub 30 and after a change of clothes we took off to a quayside hostelry, later wandering up to the Bridge to see if Johnny Depp was back. Nope, but in my haste I managed to spill my half. No drama, it was quickly replaced and we were on the train by 10pm.
