Sandbach Striders

In a bid to reach 100 marathons my running last year became all about quantity
rather than quality.

Minutes per mile gave way to just completing the distance and if it involved flapjack and carrot cake at various checkpoints then all the better.



Marathons even gave way to Ultras because whilst the distance is further if you pick ones without cut-offs they are actually far less pressurised than running 26.2 miles on tarmac.

So, finding myself on the start line of the Stafford 20 with two goals, one to complete the race in under 3hrs and the other to run at a consistent pace throughout, meant I was actually more nervous than I had been since my last road marathon some 8 months ago.

Elaine and Jill are all smiles.

I met up with Chris, Jill, Elaine and Martin in the car park and following the pre-race photo Martin went to warm up while Elaine checked her make-up, Jill searched for her car keys and Chris and I discussed our choice of cold weather running kit on the warmest day of the year so far.

Martin finds time for a wave.

Once the keys were located we headed up to the start and duly headed off as the gun sounded at 10:30am.

A one mile lap of the campus then saw us head out to mingle with the cars on the A518 before heading up hill and then turning left into the countryside.

During three undulating laps I clocked the following mile times:

8:42
8:52
8:29
8:50
8:51
8:51
8:50
8:50
8:48
8:47
8:52
8:48
8:47
8:55
8:49
8:50
8:50
8:45
8:44
8:10

Total time 2:55:33

Chris enjoying a change of scenery from his usual run..

Job done.

I don't do PBs any more but I don't mind because a run like that, particularly with a negative split, is as satisfying as any PB I've run.

Jason, Jill, Chris, Martin and Elaine.

Great run, great company, great club.

For more information visit the Stafford 20 website.

Jason