Co-Skipper
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Self-Transendence 10I was the only Benfleet runner at this event - held at an outrageously unsociable time of 7.45am at Battersea Park. I know Colin has done this in the past. The route consisted of 5 and a half laps around the perimeter of the park itself, and was very flat and smooth. Ideal for a PB everybody kept telling me beforehand.
The race itself was a very topsy-turvy affair, and it was an absolute delight to be in the shake-up for the lead - not something that happens very often! One athlete took off at the start like he was on fire and promptly disappeared - but I held a distant 2nd place with someone on my shoulder.
When I rounded a corner after 2 miles, the front athlete was curled up beside the path, having presumably paid for his punishing start. A DNF awaited him. So between 2 and 4 miles, I found myself in the lead of the race!
Normal service set in at the 4-mile point when the guy on my shoulder, who I had willed to go away, took me at my word, although not in the fashion I had hoped. He did so by injecting some serious pace. Oh well, 2nd wouldn't be too bad, I mused. But then an athlete who seems to have become my great nemesis, who always seems to choose me as his target for a dogfight (Weald X-Country, Bluebell 5, Paddock Wood Half) - Stephen Philcox of Barking - came past with an accomplice. So, down to 4th and going nowhere fast.
The 6 mile point came and suddenly, out of nowhere, the guy in 3rd began slipping back. This was a potential lifeline. After going straight past, a spot on the podium beckoned once more. But then another athlete, from London FrontRunners appeared, and went past like a train - so much so that he in fact went on to take apart everyone else in front and win the race. 2 miles left and the legs had tightened, and I was struggling to maintain any form and pace. Now a very tall, rangey athlete from Serpentine rubbed salt in the wound by ghosting past as if I was invisible. 5th place now looked likely.
But wait - the Serpy athlete now pulled up with his drink - apparently shattered. So, the last lap was upon us and 3rd would be between Philcox and me - and I was starting to close the 100 metre gap. That gap was down to 10 metres at the last corner. The race was on. And then like our worst nightmare, Mr Serpy reappeared and pilfered our hard-earned 3rd and 4th place. It was like taking candy from a baby. Philcox reacted and followed him over the line, I trailed in 5th.
The time? 1: 01: 41, which is a PB of all time - 4 seconds faster than the previous time at The Great South Run 2000. And 2 minutes faster than any other effort since. I could hardly be ungrateful and tell everyone I was disappointed with the final placing when the PB had happened! To polish off the day, I had the duboius honour of collecting a trophy (they were awarded to the top 7!) Only a tiny replica of the winners trophy with "5th place" splashed upon it, mind.
Many apologies for the Bloomfield-esque style of blogging but after a string of 30's and 40's placings (and much worse!) this came as rather a shock.
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bobby
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RacesWell done Keiron, impressive pb and more impressive journalistic skills. Look out Debbie. (only joking Debs)
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boabmac1
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Well done Kieran
Those Tuesday night efforts that have brought you to your knees are now paying off!
Great effort.
(Ps. you should start writing books mate, i was gripped and felt 3rd place glory at that final bend in the race)
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JBD
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Well done Kieron.
That was a cracking read, the sort of race report I like to see, getting into the inner mind of racing, the battle, the opponents, the hope, the ups and downs etc.
Good work ! 
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Coach
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What can I say, that was absolutely brilliant Kieron. I'm so pleased all the hard work and sheer determination have made you up into a top class.........writer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And you're running ain't bad either
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debbie g
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Okay I resign! It's all yours Keiron - we need to breathe some new life into those press reports!
Congratulations on all levels Keiron, absolutely brilliant. Shall I leave you to do the report then?? :blackeye:
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debbie g
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Okay Keiron I have resumed my post and sent a cracking report to the Echo thanks to the terrific quotes from you - The Echo will love you. Sent a pic up too so should be a nice piece in on Friday. Check it out. Mike B will be gutted you beat him to the limelight Keiron, I've been promising him a feature in the Echo. Looks like he'll have to beat you to get a look in !!
If you fancy more blogging let me know as your blogging nemesis Bloomfield did ask me if I would send the link to his blog to the Echo!! When he is a Benfleet member I might consider it! Meantime we could have our own home grown super blogger McGill - out-blog Crispian, next step out-run him, easy!! - I await your next race with great excitement!! 
Well done again Keiron it was a brilliant run.
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