Diary of a middle aged runner

[Bierzo Baggie]

Have run 4 races so far in 2017 with two more to come. Don’t think I’ll risk any more.

January 1st. Race one  and my first encounter with the G-men.

The Morning After is a five mile fell race in the lovely hills around Church Stretton. I have been here several times before so there’s no need to say much about the race itself. Enjoyed the run as usual and was inside the final km when an old fellow overtook me. Now when it comes to racing I’m not excessively competitive and I certainly don’t mind being overtaken by people over 25 years my senior. No shame in that, only admiration. But up to now this has only ever happened in longer events where a sprightly, well-maintained 75 year old may benefit from a combination of training, experience and superior genetics. With the shorter distances an old ‘n should have no chance at all.

I’d always thought that I had a fairly decent sprint in me too and I felt OK so my plan was to tuck in behind and cruise effortlessly past him over the last 100 metres. Wrong. The bandy legged barstool pulled away from me as if I was standing still.

This was my first lesson of 2017, and it had only just started.

More than a little demoralized I decided to check out who the chap was on the race results page. 
Gary Gunner. Croft Ambrey running club. 1st in the over 70s category. 
Great name! Sounds like some war hero from a Boys Own comic. He certainly outgunned me.

Amazing guy it must be said, and then less than one week later I met G-man number 2….