Memorial Scholarship 5k

Slight break from the McMillan Marathon Training Plan tonight, and time for a test over a challenging 5k course at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

In my opinion, evening races are always more difficult to prepare for, especially when they take place on a work day. I’d much prefer a Saturday or Sunday morning event where you can rest up the night before, wake up and be ready to race.

However, the main goal of this particular 5k is to raise money for the Pamela Edwards Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. Scholarships are awarded every year to one of five deserving youth members of my local running club The Tidewater Striders – a worthy cause and one well worth contributing to.

The race went pretty well despite the head, humidity and narrow, twisty course. My fastest races are never at the Botanical Garden and I didn’t expect much different tonight.

The start was quite congested, with a couple of quick 90 degree bends to navigate; I’m surprised there were no fallers to be honest. I held back at first before making my way through the pack and settling in at around 20th place. The first mile was fairly fast 5:35 and despite moving into 12th place by the two mile mark, I’d slowed slightly and was struggling to keep my pace going.

I made a huge effort in the third and final mile, concentrated on a fast cadence and good form and was delighted to record a 5:45 last mile – enough to maintain a 12th place overall and 1st place in the 40-44 age group.

Official finish time – 18:05 – a few seconds slower than I would have liked, but with the twisty course and the oppressive heat, I’m happy.

For the record, tonight was my 33rd consecutive Tidewater Striders Grand Prix race – a streak stretching back to October 2005. The Grand Prix is an intra-club series of series (usually one per month) held over race distances from a mile to the marathon.

Top 5 overall and the top 5 in each age group score points in each race which are tallied up as the year progresses. At the end of the year, Tidewater Striders Grand Prix winners are announced and trophies awarded to the runners. Although not as popular as in years gone by, the GP is a great way to build up a healthy rivalry with your fellow age-groupers and usually generates an extra spark on race day. Great fun!

Normal training will resume tomorrow. I think (and hope) it’s an easy day…..