From Will Worboys…
Although I’d entered the Morley 10k several weeks ago, I wasn’t going to do it because of various circumstances. One of which being that I’m currently following a training plan devised by Harrier Mark Gill, stating this Sunday should be an ‘easy run’. However as other circumstances resolved themselves I decided last minute to do it and just run it ‘easy’.
However, after the uphill start wasn’t easy at all and being just behind the 60 minute pacers for much of the race seemingly too much of a challenge, sadly this race felt anything but ‘easy’.
I had read reports from this race in the past and vowed to myself that I would one day find out about the legendary ‘Morley Bottoms’ for myself. Disappointingly that turned out just to be the name of the intersection that we crossed through three times, once after the start and then during two ‘out and backs’ in opposite directions and all involving hills.
The Morley bottoms was however a popular spot to spectate creating a brilliant atmosphere for the race. This was a big event with over a thousand runners and very well spectated despite the strong winds and was brilliantly organised by the friendly local running club.
As the race went on, so did my struggle to keep up with the 60 minute pacers. In my mind I’m 10 years younger with functional lungs and running 45 minutes for 10K, so the pace I’m running ‘should’ be easy. This also being a constant reminder of why I am trying out Marks Gill’s services to improve my form and run like an elastic man, hopefully somewhat diminishing the need for perfect lung function.
With miles 3 and 4 mostly a nice pleasant steady downhill, I knew that meant the last portion of the race would be a steady uphill into the substantial breeze. This was really tough going and the only way it would have felt easy would have been to walk it… slowly. I managed to keep running but my target pacers were disappearing into the distance making me question if running was maybe just not for me.
As I stumbled up the steepest hill of the race, cruelly lying just before the finish, I overtook the Pacers who were walking, having clearly misjudged their pace for the earlier part of the race, meaning I actually finished comfortably under the hour and as first Harrier! Admittedly I was the only Harrier but I’m still taking it. This actually is a great event, much recommended for the atmosphere, but definitely nowhere near easy… Sorry Mark.
1st Adam Stacey (Morley Runners) 35.01
637 Will Worboys 58.54
1059 ran