Wading my way through a series of recurring colds since December, it was a case of deja-vu at Saturdays Signals Relays. Held at Houghton near Sunderland on a rolling 1.1m circuit, the event attracts the best of the north east (England) runners. It is a wholly club event. It's a good litmus test for your form. My form was improving last weekend to such an extent that I did a slow 19min. at the Blyth parkrun on the Saturday, then got up Simonside Rothbury way with our kid for a chunky 9 mile hill session. The next day it was such a nice morning that I fancied a long run. With nothing pressing in the way of work, I ran a steady 2 hours and 14 miles into Newcastle. Bringing a change of clothing, I was soon in M&S, changed and parked in front of a pot of tea and an inviting bowl of Salmon Tartar. They do it downstairs in the sushi department as a takeaway. I buy it and take it up to eat in the cafe. Avocado, rice, salmon, pickled red onion and soy sauce. A treat if you like that pickled thing, and I do.
However, on the Tuesday I was down but not out with a running sinus and sniffle. I've ignored this all week and Saturday gone I felt reasonable enough to line up as 3rd leg in the v50 four man relay. I think this will be my last appearance for the club in this event on this team. Next year I'll be on the wrong side of 50 and as there is no v60cat, I think it unlikely that I can offer a performance of sufficient quality (typically sub-14 for 2.2 miles/6.35 minute miles).
Jason was off first, a diminutive 52 years old. We were mid-field as he finished and I relaxed a little, thinking we'd be well out of the medals. Lee B was next and as he pitter-pattered away for his2 laps, I stripped off and shouted support as he came round to start his 2nd lap. However, as the leaders arrived after the second lap, he was well up and must have done some damage. A little flustered I heard the shouts for the next Morpeth runner to step up; that meant me. North Shields were just behind, and I got off just before the Shields runner set off in pursuit. Clad in red vest, he was all grey hair and head-band and armed with compression socks he had me in his sights. A dogfight. All I heard on the way round was 'come on Martin'. I knew he was close. My first mile was 6.11 and I think I pulled away a little, but then it all began to slow and I slumped to a 6.39 for the second mile. He was on my shoulder on the last drag and got passed me at the top corner, but I rallied and, tucking in, let him lead me to the line before I nipped ahead. 14m:07secs. Not a disaster. It was left to Rob H. to put 10 seconds or so between us and Shields and we finished 2nd with New Marske from Teesside providing an unassailable gold winning performance.
I managed a 4 miler on Sunday, but have had to rest this week to try and shake the lurgy. Probably run down. Either way, I will look forward to receiving another North East medal. It remains to be seen if I will be well enough for the Scottish Nationals XC at Falkirk on Saturday, but I'll go anyway. If I can't run, I'll keep entertained with Ian Rankins 'The Flood'.
