WavertreeTrackOpenRace

V - Janos Warm-Up for Wavertree Track Open 2022 (1)

© A. Vranek 2022.

Wavertree Track Open Race.
3rd April 2022:
800 metres 1st 2:03 (PB).
1500 metres 2nd 4:24 (PB).

My debut track races, 800m and 1500m at Wavertree track in Liverpool:

I had nice, relaxing preparation for the open meeting. I made sure, that, I was well mobilised and fed. In the morning, I went for a short gentle run to warm-up as I hadn’t run the day before.
V - Janos Warm-Up for Wavertree Track Open 2022 (2)

V - Janos Warm-Up for Wavertree Track Open 2022 (2)

© A. Vranek 2022.

Having eaten a couple of hours before the first race, I went through my usual Vorsprung 10/10 warm-up, at the track.
V - Janos Warm-Up at Wavertree Track Open 2022

V - Janos Warm-Up at Wavertree Track Open 2022

© A. Vranek 2022.

I felt more nervous in the hours before-hand than when I was actually on the track ready to go. In fact, it felt quite natural. Having spent alot of time on and around tracks with my father, it felt natural and consequently I felt prepared. I enjoyed getting to learn the way that track meetings work, and the routine I need to go through.

The first race, the 800m, was 'well stacked', with a range of age groups in the same race. I was in second place quite quickly and I reeled in the runner ahead of me and passing him with 50 metres to go. Having a training group of varying ages and abilities means, that, I am usually chasing-down people ahead and this served me well in the race as I timed it really well. However, the actual time wasn’t too quick owing to a strong wind in the back-straight.

After having, that, win in the bag I felt more relaxed going into the 1500.

It was a quick turn-around, but, the Vorsprung 10/10 warm-up and my coaches elite experience got me to the start-line feeling refreshed and re-fuelled.

I went off a bit slower, this time, thinking I was too tired to stay in the top two places. A mistake, I should know better, as Vorsprung teaches us to listen to our bodies more than our brains: our brains will hi-jack our sense and often give us false information. I was in second place on the last lap and catching the runner in front quite rapidly. Had it been a mile race, I would have won. He slumped to the ground after and hobbled away, but, I still felt fresh.

The lessons to take from these races are to trust my body, ability and training and to be smarter about where and when to over-take.

All-in-all, it was a great learning experience and it was pleasing to get a win in my first ever track race.

Text © Janoš Vranek April 2022.

Janoš Vranek