A New Favourite Race by Micky Carrick

Following being plagued by ankle problems during late July, August began quite well once the management of the ankle pain began to become easier.  I completed a strong 8 miler, followed by a parkrun with fellow member and over for a few weeks from Canada, Phil.  It was on August the 16^th that the inaugural Gateshead Trail 10k was compete.  I lined up alongside around 1,000 other runners at a windy field in Blaydon to take in the sights of the Derwent Walk.

Still feeling the ankle injury I plumped myself in to the 60-70min time group and set away with a bit of a limpy jog.  After the 3km marker (placed early at around 1.5miles) I realised that the ankle was actually holding up very well on the predominantly flat course.  Uphills were a struggle, but it was going rather well.  As the KM’s rolled by I noticed that in the group I was running with I was looking, and breathing, a lot more comfortably than most.  I then saw my nemesis.  Some lad in a bright neon pink top.  Less of a nemesis really, more of just some dude I thought if I were to beat, it would have been a good day.  Plus his top made it easy to keep an eye out for him.

I set about catching the lad, taking about a mile to reel him in, at the halfway stage I was about 20 seconds in front of him, and my heart sank about a minute later as he strolled passed.  I put it out my mind and kept on with my own race, and shortly after found him to be walking as I took the lead again.  This was the last time I saw the guy in the very pink top, until the end coming in about 6 minutes after me.

Anyway, back to what was happening around me.  I had formed my own breakaway group.  I felt like a Romanian cyclist who has decided to have a go at winning a stage in the Tour De France, only to be inevitably reeled in by the professionals.  Despite the ankle pain (awful at this point) I noticed that if I kept running at around the same pace, I would have a chance at coming in under the hour mark.  I kept going, and began to catch the next group of runners.  This time, many good looking females and even some good looking dudes, who a year ago I would never have dreamed to be able to run a 10k comparatively with.

With the finishing line less than a mile away I noticed that I was sailing past this group of people too.  I ended up in a bit of race with two lads who were clearly in much better shape than I.  As I turned the corner back in to Blaydon Rugby Club I could see the end in sight.  Approximately 300m from the finishing line, my friends (2 from the challenge, Jonny and Sheekey, along with their partners Kate and Cath) were roaring me on.  From nowhere I sprinted passed the two lads, and then the next 2, and then some girls, and finally beating 2 lads in Tough Mudder T-shirts just before crossing the line.

My time: 59:54.  

I had achieved a time better than that which my timing bracket demanded.  I was over the moon with this.  I spent the rest of the afternoon wearing my GT10 T-shirt and the amazing Medal/Bottle Opener with pride.  I can’t wait to try this race again next year.

The Medal - Worth the pain alone.

Sheekey, Micky, Jonny with mascots Cath and Badger.