On Sunday I took the relatively short trip to Antrobus in Cheshire for the Antrobus Cabbage Canter
Its a really nice village location, and they hosted 3K, 5K and 10K races today. The latter was two pretty flat laps through the lovely Cheshire countryside. The sky was blue, the scenary great and all was set for a cracking run.
I’d lined myself up to go for a PB, and this added to my usual pre-race nerves. I cracked the first mile off in 7:03 and felt good, but decided to back off for the next couple of miles as I normally get naturally quicker in the last couple of miles and always have a good kick at the finish.
I had my sister, brother in law and niece supporting me today and passed them after 2.5 miles. Nicky waved me on from the halfway point which followed shortly afterwards.
Just after this, the back of my left knee and hamstring started to twinge again (I’ve been nursing it in the last couple of weeks).
Time for the mental battle. Do I push on and risk injury or abandon the PB attempt and live to fight another race?
My rational side won through quite quickly and I backed off the pace (a little grumpily I admit).
I enjoyed the second lap as much as I could, managed to resist pushing the pace and finished in 48:03.
I collected my medal, t-shirt and cabbage and gave Nicky the usual sweaty hug (she loves it!!).
The finish was held in the local school grounds, and there was a really good community spirit around the organisation of this race. After the races were all done, there was a special event for all the kids that turned up to race or support – cabbage throwing!
Our niece Charlotte joined them and I very generously offered my cabbage. Said cabbage is now unfortunately inedible after having several leaves stripped from it, and having quite a heavy landing! I’ve not even been vegetarian for a whole week and I’m quite ashamed to say I’ve been part of such blatant cabbage abuse!
In summary, Whilst you can’t ever guarantee the british weather, if anyone fancies a great, friendly run in the Cheshire countryside, this is one for your 2010 diaries. I’ll certainly be back.
Nickys Refreshment Rating : 9/10
Weather : 10/10
Course : 9/10
Beginner Friendliness : 10/10
Momentos : Cabbage, T-Shirt, Medal
Well done anyway Mark, still was a good effort,you’ll have to set your pb at Telford again mate, just have to give that hamstring a good icing and rest, nothing worse than dodgy hamstrings.
What a bizarre name for a race!