I had signed up for this race a while back, but my 14 mike run on Saturday had left me with a very painful right shin so I was in 2 minds as to whether I was going to run or not.
In the end I did what I usually do - run anyway possibly risking further damage and hope the pain doesn't get any worse.
In the end it held out OK, although it was pretty sore afterwards.
It had been a scorcher of a day, my phone reckoning it was 21 degrees on the start line and my hayfever was kicking in big style. John hadn't pre entered but managed to get a number on the day so was running too.
The course is a scenic 6.5 miles from newburn leisure centre along the Tyne to wylam and back on the other side. Based on my 10k time at Blyth I reckoned around 39.30 would be a comparable time and that is what I was aiming for.
I got caught behind a bunch of people at the start, but once I got past them I settled into a/reasonably comfortable pace. Around half a mile in I ran past Graeme from wallsend harriers who looked like he was having a good race.
First mile went past in 5-40 and it seemed like no time until we got to wylam , over the bridge and onto the other side of the river. This was the 3 mile point and my time was just under 18 mins so I knew I had slowed down.
I then started to tire and running was becoming more difficult. I sensed a few runners on my shoulder trying to overtake me, and looking round I saw one of them was Graeme. I put in a burst of speed to get away from them but within a few mins Graeme was back on my shoulder again.
The next mile or so we ran shoulder to shoulder - I was really tired by this point and didn't have the energy for another burst so I decided to wait till the end and try and out sprint him.
We reached newburn bridge- the path goes under the bridge then doubles back on itself and there is either a ramp or some stairs to get up onto the bridge.
I chose the stairs, but after getting half way I was shouted back mpby a Marshall and told to use the ramp.
I quickly retraced my steps, but by this time Graeme had a gap on me and seemed to be speeding up. I tried my hardest to get back to him, but didn't have enough time as the finish was just round the corner and I was empty.
My final time was 40-40 which was a minute slower than I'd hoped for so I was a bit disappointed as I don't think I could have ran any faster on the day,
John was also disappointed in his time of 47 mins, although he has just ran a marathon so I don't think he's got any worries.
No point dwelling though - onto the next race, Windy Gyle on Sunday.
