Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Thurstaston

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 1 (Thurstaston Beach 5m)
Time/Position: 29.23 (10th from 217 [1st V45])
This is a long-running series of races restricted to a group of local clubs, every week in September, at different Wirral locations. All the races are multi-terrain, varied and excellent - but for various reasons I haven't been able to compete in the past. This opening race starts at the Wirral country park in the same place as the May race: but then heads up the 'beach' in the opposite, northerly direction. Rockier and more awkward this way round. After a mile or so into a headwind with the sun setting over the estuary, it heads up steps then along the Wirral way cycle path back to Thurstaston. Two laps, which helped me pace it. I moved up the field and felt surprisingly strong for the second lap, which was very refreshing given the year I've had. Indeed, I've waited all year for a half-decent performance and finally got one here: possibly my best race of 2015, certainly since Twin Piers in January. Kept passing runners until the last half mile, and just managed to squeeze into the top 10 in a fairly strong field, just male club runners drawn from Merseyside, Wirral and Flintshire clubs.