March-ing on together

 The month of March - it's lighter at nights, it's usually host to the first TT of the season and most importantly it marks the end of Winter hibernation - heck, even deforestation begins as the Mach 3 comes out.

North Lincs Half Marathon 1:32:10

The month started with an outing a North Lincolnshire Half, which was a running event hosted by tape2tape and ran out of Quibell Park in Scunthorpe. I would be running it with the usual band of bad influences so would need to keep focussed, because they are sprightly fellas.  Conditions were good, about 5/6 degrees, but with a westerly wind which was light.  I was confident of challenging my time of 1.34.48 at Retford last year, but would need to avoid a huge drop off in pace as I experienced last year at mile 10.

I positioned myself between the 1.30 & 1.40 pacers and for the first 3 miles kept the 1.30 in sight as I put in some good early miles of 6.48, 6.58 & 6.58.  Not pushing too hard, but concentrating on form, and in particular as we turned into the headwind, moving my arms forward correctly.  I knew I had to work until mile 6 and then the course would get a little easier. At halfway I was under 7:00 minute mile pace , and then in the second half, inevitablt things tightened, and despite a backwind, my pace sat around 7:06 to 7:08 pace. Very good outing, honest course, 1.32.10 in th end for a PB by over 2 minutes - really enjoyed that one !

YCF 10TT -  23:27

First TT of the season. On the old A1 at Boroughbridge. An honest undulating out and back course with a side wind, and some rain in the first few miles.  Double training day the day before so have to accept wont be on it mostly this year but all the same 23.27 was respectable enough and great to be back racing !

East Leake Triathlon 1.09.15

First sprint in 4 years. Lined up 10.16 start, with Ian in same lane at 10.16, and Dave in next lane at 10.20.  It was chaos but nothing I couldn't handle and just concentrated on my own thing. CAme and went OK, and my time of c.8.45 was 20 seconds better than I've been doing at Total Fitness.  Run down to T and 9.59 in total. 

Bike went well, sketchy start out of T1 and cars in the way. but then when out on road, into the wind and settled down. Good watts and good effort generally, paced very strong and well.  Back into T2 in good order.  36.04

Run, sockless, and Alphadizzles - good combo, worked well, and mile splits of 7.07/7.01 &7.00 delivered a competent end to proceedings. 3rd in 50-59 age group and a real life podium after 14 seasons at this game.