So the day arrived and after the most committed training regime I've ever done for a race other than a marathon I was well and truly ready. Of course the fear with this sort of plan is you peak too soon and you're burnt out before the race but after running the 5k tempo on Tuesday and a shortened session on the Thursday I felt great.

I had toyed with the idea of going for the sub 35 but as this was very much uncharted territory and I thought it was too much of a gamble. I wanted a big PB but I didn't want to miss getting under 36 mins which I felt I was well overdue! I headed over to Leeds with Martin Swensson and Dale Higham from Penny Lane and knew James McNally was also going along and from Liverpool there were a load of the Harriers from both Tony Clarkes gang and Dave Evans group that I train with on Tuesdays.

The night before I'd popped over to see Dweezil Zappa at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion which has absolutely no bearing on the race but thought I'd mention it because he was ace!

Anyway, I set off early, getting Martin and Dale around 06:30 and I pointed the jazz panzer East for Leeds. We arrived a good two hours before the kick off but this was ace as we got a great parking spec and had plenty of time to have a few loo breaks, scope the course out and get the lay of the land.

You only have to look at past results to know the course is fast and a bit more reading up I found the outward is a slight incline up then a 180 degree turn you do the same 5k backwards. A quick few miles on the start and finish of the course was enough to spot the little sharp hill at the end which we all made a mental note of.

I then done a few strides alone and jumped into the sub 35 section, around 100 foot from the startline but close enough not to get too caught up in the whopping 9k crowd! Another alteration to my plan was to changed he garmin to kilometres from miles, I felt psychologically and tactically it was a good move as it's easier to adjust your pace, epecially if you're struggling. Anyway the gun went and I steady myself into 3.32km pace and gradually the crowds settled and I was moving through the lads and lasses who'd gone off too hot.

I passed a few of the Harriers boys and girls, not even feeling the 3.32 pace through the 3k mark. A slight incline meant I had to work a bit more but the crowds in front gave me plenty to focus on and I could see the bodies snaking through the course which gave me time to get on the racing line. I overtook my mate Carl Mountain from the Harriers then not long after my training buddy Sion Williams and Lee Midghall who both gave me a shout as I passed.

Before the 5k the leaders started passing on their return, I could see James was about 15 seconds ahead of Martin, I gave them a cheer and feeling good at the halfway myself I passed it in around 17.50 - a bit slower than anticipated but still feeling really comfortable.

As I turned into the sun I felt like I was flying, the downhill dragging me along. I glanced at the watch and could see I was 3.25 and didn't seem to slow from 5k to around 8k. Then I was first passed by two lads who I tried to hang onto but they eased away. Lee Midghall came along side with just under a k to go. He encouraged me to keep with him and I clung on knowing the hill was coming. After going up the hill I could see I had about 1/4 mile left so dug in and opened up. I passed Lee and sprinted full on to the finish line, crossing in 35.20 - a massive 65 second PB.

I was so chuffed that all the hard work and my tactics for a change had paid off. Runners are usually full of excuses (it’s the law) but I couldn't think of anything where I could have ran better. Pretty much everyone I knew got a PB and All the PLS lads smashed their PB's with Martin mister consistent running a jaw dropping 32.36!

I'm gutted there's no run of races to follow this up, I'm doing the European Cross this weekend but even I run my best I'll be knowhere and no PB to boot! I'll probably do the Telford 10K on 16th December then maybe get another big block of training for the Robble valley 10k at the end of the month.