Here is the result.....Dad is the winner!
Here is the story....the race started well with me running with the 2hr pacemaker. As I got to 4 miles the route doubles back on itself at the docks so you can see the faster runners (there were a few) running towards you. sam had been training on lager and vindaloo so he was a gonner from the start but I couldn't believe my eyes to see Tom running towards me about a mile ahead of me laughing as he went. How the hell had he done that, I thought he was well behind and I was cruising.
The race was now on so I left the pacemaker and sped up, which was not part of the plan at all.
When I got to 10 miles my youngest; Jack was at the side of the road (he had a £10 bet on me) almost in tears saying Tom was about 10 mins ahead. I was almost at the stage of giving up with this news as I had been running hard for 6 miles. I eventually latched on to the back of a very shapely athletic lady who was cutting through the field at a pace. To my surprise at 11 miles I saw Tom ahead runing quite slow. I tucked in behind him and rested at his pace as he trotted forward.
He turned round at 12 miles and saw me there and the real race was on for the bragging rights. At 13 miles I threw the dice in a 'do or die' hard run and was actually feeling pretty good. Near the final straight the road doubles back and I saw that Tom wasn't smiling any more! I'd done him! I rubbed his nose in it by sprinting for the tape and ended in 1hr 53mins, 7 mins ahead of my race pace and a sweet 21 secs ahead of the boy.
They both have now entered the Bath Half in March and I fear the worst. I trained for some 4 months for this and they just played at it. If they ever (and it is a big if) train I'm dead meat. I am now in training to try to break 1hr 50mins for Bath. This is ahead of a challenge to run and cycle round all my offices in 2010. As they are in Belfast, Glasgow, london, Birmingham etc etc you will get the message!
Money raised in a good cause and locally based in Bristol made this doubly important.
I decided to challenge my two eldest boys to this race(?). Tom is 21 and studying Sports Science at Cardiff Uni and Sam has just finished his A levels, planning to study Sports Science at Gloucester Uni. I am fast approaching 50 and watch Sport and Science on the TV, so who do you think will win?
On the more serious side we have decided to raise funds for the youngsters in Bristol who have but a short time to live and we want to raise some funds to help them in some small way. £600 will help a family stay at the hospice with their child rather than leave them there alone.
If you can help by donating even a small amount that will contribute to helping those less fortunate, if you really want a laugh come to Cardiff on the 18th October and see if age and beauty conquer youth!
UPDATE: My training is going well, the boy's seem to be following a beer routine so confidence is high.
Thank you.
