From Dave Powner: On my third visit to the Tipton Sports Academy, I was pleased to find myself in a race with 11 other runners from a mix of age categories, ranging from U13F to V70M, rather than all teenagers as I had faced on my two previous occasions. I would be joined by Barrie Roberts, where we faced 3 BRATs, plus representatives from 7 other clubs.
There were three different advertised start times for this event, and I was advised of a fourth upon my arrival. It didn’t start at any of them. Although I should say that the whole meet was otherwise very well organised, I even enjoyed my time queueing to collect my race number; the good humoured official doing a great job of putting young and old athletes alike at ease.
A sudden downpour caused a further delay, and tested the quality of the track drainage. So after a slightly rushed warm-up, we gathered in the start area. Barrie was doubled up with another runner in lane 8, as was I with an experienced young track athlete with in lane 6. This would prove handy, as it meant I would know exactly when to break lanes. The pacemaker was intending to do the first lap in 72 seconds, so I wanted to be two or three seconds behind him at the bell.
The timekeeper at the bell chanted the seconds elapsed; I was slightly inside my intended split, and still feeling good, but cautious. I waited until the home straight to step up a gear. This took me past a BRAT, and into second place. The leading BRAT was too far in front to consider catching, but I crossed the line taking over 5 seconds off my PB. Barrie came in finishing strong with a Season’s Best.
It’s the end of the summer season, so I have unscrewed the short spikes for now, and replaced them with my 12mm XC ones. Now I think I know what I’m doing on the tartan, maybe I’ll do some specific training for one or two track distances next summer!
Thankyou for writing up the 8OOm Race Report Dave.I was delighted to see you perform so well over 800m,and next year you should go even faster. I think that you might enjoy running in the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m as well! Richard Bayliss and Dean Parker are good people to talk to/with. Once again,CONGRATULATIONS on a successful track season.