My new regime of a 10 day cycle of training meant that last Saturday morning I was doing a speed session. The session went well but had to be carried out fairly early on, as in the afternoon I had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch along Villa Real Road in Consett.
Carrying the Torch was an amazing experience and I could not believe the number of people who turned out to see the Flame.
Carrying the Torch was an amazing experience and I could not believe the number of people who turned out to see the Flame.
Following the excitement of Saturday it was back to normal training on Sunday with a steady twelve mile run along the Derwent Walk. This was followed by 9 miles around Chopwell Woods on Monday and another 9 miles on Tuesday with the lads from the group at Blaydon.
A session of 4 x 4 minutes on Wednesday night took me nicely into a steady 6 on Thursday and a very easy 3 miles on Friday in preparation of the VAANEE Track Championships on Saturday.
So Saturday saw me at Monkton Stadium. I had entered the 800m, 1500m and 5000m and despite feeling a little flat intended to run all three races, using them as a hard workout.
First up was the 1500, running in the M55 and over race, I hit the front from the gun. Having built up a fairly comfortable lead and being mindful that the 800m was up next I decided to ease up a little and just keep the momentum going up to the finish. However, that’s when my problems began. I had not been feeling comfortable as it was, then suddenly all the energy seemed to disappear from my body , I found it difficult to get my breath and became aware of a pain in my chest.
I have ‘tied up’ in races a number of times but nothing like this. With about 500m to go I was forced to stop. Once stopped I managed to get myself sorted a little and my breath back. Not wanting to dnf I decided to run / jog around the remainder of the race (possibly not the best decision I have ever made). Unfortunately the chest pain was not subsiding and breathing was all over the place as I shuffled across the finish line.
From there it was a trip to South Tyneside Hospital where I spent the remainder of the weekend as their guest as they decided to ‘keep me in’ overnight with a suspected heart attack.
The situation now is that I can do some easy jogging but not to race or do any speed work until I undergo further tests. As the tests carried out over the weekend are showing some anomalies.
All the staff at the hospital were magnificent and I would like to thank them and everyone at the Championships on Saturday for their help and concern.
And just to keep the record straight I finished 2nd in the race in 5.37.7 At least I should be able to beat that next time out.
So Saturday saw me at Monkton Stadium. I had entered the 800m, 1500m and 5000m and despite feeling a little flat intended to run all three races, using them as a hard workout.
First up was the 1500, running in the M55 and over race, I hit the front from the gun. Having built up a fairly comfortable lead and being mindful that the 800m was up next I decided to ease up a little and just keep the momentum going up to the finish. However, that’s when my problems began. I had not been feeling comfortable as it was, then suddenly all the energy seemed to disappear from my body , I found it difficult to get my breath and became aware of a pain in my chest.
I have ‘tied up’ in races a number of times but nothing like this. With about 500m to go I was forced to stop. Once stopped I managed to get myself sorted a little and my breath back. Not wanting to dnf I decided to run / jog around the remainder of the race (possibly not the best decision I have ever made). Unfortunately the chest pain was not subsiding and breathing was all over the place as I shuffled across the finish line.
From there it was a trip to South Tyneside Hospital where I spent the remainder of the weekend as their guest as they decided to ‘keep me in’ overnight with a suspected heart attack.
The situation now is that I can do some easy jogging but not to race or do any speed work until I undergo further tests. As the tests carried out over the weekend are showing some anomalies.
All the staff at the hospital were magnificent and I would like to thank them and everyone at the Championships on Saturday for their help and concern.
And just to keep the record straight I finished 2nd in the race in 5.37.7 At least I should be able to beat that next time out.