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| The Team Pic |
I am in catch up mode with all my blogging! This is all about last Sunday, 16th. It was Fathers day actually. The were a few of us heading to Eltham to run this lovely run. It happens every year, I did it the first time last year! I managed to bag my self an early entry and grab one of the tee-shirts too.
Naggy found herself on her own that morning and she managed to get a place from one of our other pals who couldn't do it. Poor SnappyH was still in recovering mode from an injury! But there were still quite a few of us all there, CaroleWtihAnE, RefMichael, LouLou and hubby, Tracy and quite a few of the faster groups were represented too. Here's a picture of us, all in numerical order! Well, it had to be done. SingStarJo was just a tad late along with Jane, I tried several times to get their picture, this was the best!
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| The ordered number pic |
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| Trying to get SingstartJo and Jane in the picture |
So, how was I feeling. I know exactly how I was feeling, fat and frumpy and oh so lumpy! It's my own fault, no will power! I so overindulged when I had my injury and just ate and drank what I wanted. Who am I kidding! I've been over indulging for a while! No wonder my body was saying "You sure you going to drag my ass around for 5 miles!" after only the first mile! Let me tell you, there was same talking to myself as I was running, I didn't need NaggyNeighbour or nagging Jabra in my ears, I was doing a pretty good job of nagging myself. Along the way I kept thinking "Old Girl, you gotta do more running!" I know that's what I need to do!
Through the woods now, it's nice a cool, sheltered from the rain (yes, it rained, but not much), I started at the back of the pack but I know there were people behind me. Tracy was with me for the first lap, we talked and ran together, the first lap is always the hardest, the first mile is when all those thoughts come into your mind, the doubts and the 'you can't do this' creep in. Even Tracy said something along those lines too. Once that is done, that first mile, then you can start thinking positive again. Coming up to the bridge I could hear the dulcet tones of Max
The first lap lap done, I was heading for the finish, I was thinking "Do I go over the mats or around the mats to start the next lap" There were plenty of people in front of me who where finishing their lap! I couldn't see any other route laid out so I just went through the tunnel, stayed to the left hand side. It was just as well because there is where the water was! I was in need of a drink. I looked around behind and realised that Tracy wasn't near me, as I ran up to the first turn again I looked towards the finish tunnel to see if I could see her, she was just coming through the tunnel. That's ok I need to get on and do this. Up to the first corner along the straight towards the bridge. And there was Maxine, cheering along just as she was the first time and the second time when I passed her! She is relentless, love it! It's stuff like that that keep you going.
All through the woods again, a bit of shelter from the gentle bit of rain that was coming down. It was a bit of a muggy day so the rain wasn't unwelcome! I saw a man in a red tee-shirt, he was going to be my race. I was going to keep up with him, if not, over take him! That was my plan. I kept my eye on him all the way, I managed to catch up to him, I was pleased about that, we were not far from where we had to run along by the road. I over took him just as we were coming out of the woody bit running beside the traffic, feeling a little bit chuffed with myself. I didn't see Tracy behind me, so I just kept on going. Back into the woods, going up the hill! I do love a hill......not! I have a method of getting up them..... run a bit of it, walk a bit of it, curse the lot of it! I do try never to let it beat me though, I always make sure that when it comes to the summit then I am running it!
Out of the woods again and running along in the now drizzling rain, as I was running towards the pond the marshal there was dancing and smiling! As I got nearer he said "I am trying to do the sun dance, but I think I am doing the rain dance instead!" Well, I didn't mind so much, I was quite warm and the rain was helping to keep me cool. When I ran by the pond these cute little goslings came up to the fence, of course I had to have a quick stop and check it out! They were looking for some bits of food from me, I wished I had a sandwich or something to give them. Mum and dad were standing just by the waters edge, poised ready to defend their babies if they thought there was any danger. I tore myself away from the cute fluffiness and ran around the other side of the pond, around the big open green for the last time.
The rain kept on coming, I didn't think there would be anyone left at the end to cheer us all in, well apart from Naggy as she was driving us back home! I ran and walked and told myself off each time I walked, and then ran some more. One day, I will do a lot more running than I do now in races......I think.......I hope! This race is nearly all done.......I don't know why I am calling it a race......I was running all by myself, but I do have my pb for this course! I can't think what time I did it last year, which was the first time I ran this particular race, I shall go back and look after!
Running over the bridge for the last time and hearing Maxine, still on top form! Such an inspiring cheerleading marshal! Just along this last straight, then turn the last corner! I could hear some of the other runners being cheered in "Oh good they are still here" I thought. Of course they are, runners know just how much hard work each race is for everyone, they will always being cheering the last runner in! But right at that moment it was time to just get this last straight done, I can't be seen to be walking now, I can see the crowd, which means they will be able to see me! I really thought I could do it, but just before I got to the corner I had a cheeky walk "Oh no no, it's only there, what do you think you are doing" the dulcet tones of Naggy reached my ears, although still not within dragging along distance, those words rang in my ears which made me start running again! "I looked on my left to see if I could see Naggy, but I couldn't see her, I saw someone with a dog......but then I realised that Naggy was in fact running faster than the dog towards me! Yup, she was going to make sure there was deffo no more walking. Well, I knew I couldn't walk anymore, everyone would see me, with only about 100-150 meters to go, I just had to keep on running, Naggy was next to me, running the corner with me, I think she said she had done that corner several times as she ran back back a few times to run in with our runners who looked like they were flagging! She kept talking to me, encouraging me to keep on going, the rain was coming down, I was nicely cool, there was no need to save any energy, just race on in over the mats to record my second and final lap!
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| Me, finisishing! |
Love it, I mean, I really loved it. It may not have been the fastest time every but it was done. Karen came up to me and said "You were over the line by 1 hour 9 mins!" she said! I couldn't believe it! "Wow, really? No way" I said, or words to that effect! I was feeling blimmin chuffed with myself! And the I remembered......it was a 5 miler not a 10k! Hmm, deffo going to need to check out my time from last year!
So here is my geeky stats
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