Dunham Massey 5k

There's a series of 5k's organised by Altringham AC and Spectrum Striders known as the North Cheshire Grand Prix 5k series. Rather grand and I only enter the two run around the beautiful drives and parkland of Dunham Massey. The first one is always useful to be able to put down a marker to see how things are shaping up. Unfortunately I was (and at this point still am) suffering from a cracked filling and some root canal stuff. All really painful and requiring a bucketful of Ibuprofen so I wasn't at my best. Ah well I'd pre-entered (you have to as it's limited to 300 in the park) so I thought I might as well give it a go. The course is basically three long straights with tight haipin turns so a good time can be had. The only small downside is the deceptive climbing gradient up the long straight (which is also the finishing straight on the last lap.) A massed start again in front of the house and I soon dropped into my regular 5k pace. Unfortunately everyone else's pace was that bit quicker! Time to up the stakes. First lap completed and on to lap 2. Pushing as hard as I could up the long drag I managed to keep station with those around me. Turning at the top onto the park paths (a little off road section and slightly downhill), I pull in a couple of places and steeled myself for the last run in. The toothache also kicked in at this point as well as the tired legs and panting breath. Not good. Still I was spurred on by seeing lots of other runners suffering who were a fair bit younger than me. 19.25 and it was all over until the next time. Now if only I can find those extra 25 seconds I might be able to break into the sub 18 category. Look out to see how I do in a couple of weeks time.