Another week, another relay – this time I took part in a Wymondham AC team at the Ellisons Ekiden at Ipswich High School. 

After what was a fraught journey from Norfolk due to several road closures, we made it with enough time to set up camp and do everything runners need to do before a race. When it comes to myself and Alison, this means getting a strong coffee. 

There was a poignant moment during the race briefing when runners paid tribute to Arthur Whiston, who sadly lost his life in a cycling accident earlier this month. Arthur was a member of Colchester Harriers and was due to be running in Sunday’s event before his life was taken in a tragic accident. 

A lovely speech was made about some of his achievements in running (posting some unbelievable times for someone in their 70s) before a minute’s applause was held. 

It was perhaps a reminder not to take everything, including running, so seriously. I just hope some of Arthur’s family were there to feel the love so many people had for him; he sounds like one hell of a guy, and I’d love to be half as fit as he was in his 70s when I’m the same age. RIP Arthur. 

A draw had been made to decide who was running which leg on our Wynondham team and I had pulled out one of the 5K legs. There was some talk about my wife, Alison and I swapping after her exploits taking part in Snowdon SkyRace recently (more than 11,000 ft of elevation) but, fortunately for me as it turned out, it never came to pass. 

Gareth Seville led us off on the opening 7.2km leg and it gave a glimpse of what was lying in wait for the other five runners in the team, including myself. 

Gareth, the reigning road runner of the year at Wymondham, is the kind of runner who makes it all look rather effortless despite posting some awesome times in the process. However, upon conclusion of his leg, it was clear he had ‘felt it’. 

Zoe Webster was next to go and restored a bit of confidence in me as she looked strong all the way round on her 5K leg before handing the baton over to husband, Matt – the fastest runner on our team for his 10K; just under 39 minutes later I was up. 

After taking the baton I would normally have to tell myself to calm and slow down a little due to adrenaline coursing through. However, on this occasion, there was a distinct lack of ‘pop’ in my legs.  

(Image: Alison Armstrong)

A combination of a very hard effort at Wroxham alongside a long run a couple of days later had left my legs feeling tired. 

After about a kilometre I was glad that I ‘only’ had a 5K leg (sorry Alison). On a couple of sections on the loop, particularly the uphills, it felt like I was running through treacle. 

I managed to settle at around a pace of 3:55 per kilometre and this certainly felt at the upper end of manageable. I was obviously grateful to have the support of my team-mates but it was also lovely to have a few cheers from a couple of other Norfolk clubs competing from Norwich Road Runners and Norfolk Gazelles. 

I kept a fairly even pace throughout despite having to deviate from the racing line a couple of times to high-five my son, Logan; the least I can do when I drag him and his sister, Lara, to these racing events! 

(Image: Alison Armstrong)

I came in at 20:21 for my leg, a decent effort in the circumstances. Alison managed a decent leg given her legs are still cooked from Wales whilst Kate Gooding, who is having an excellent running year so far, produced a strong effort. 

It was enough to post an overall time of 2:58:26 – and third place in the mixed teams category. I’m definitely going to have to have my own mantelpiece soon for all these trophies... 

It was a lot of fun... but I know I need to get focused now with my autumn marathon training block. There comes a time when you have to park what you necessarily want to do and do what you have to do. 

The only real goal for the rest of the year is a strong showing in Berlin – if I can beat 3:26 then it would give me a PB grand slam after previous bests this year in the 5K, 10K and half marathon.  

It’s there for the taking... I just need to be sensible with my training and not doing anything silly in the run-up. I can only try...