27th April 2022
Race 1 of the season and what an eventful race it turned out to be!
Everyone expected this race to be a quiet one, with only 135 runners pre registered for a place.

However, on the night there was a significant accident on the M27 that caused over an hour of traffic. This led to poor Robbie, Will Baggs and Will Miller sitting on the motorway and missing the race completely. Lucky Pauline was as calm as she could be, having only driven over from her Cosham office! Danielle only just managed to sort herself out, using the jog down to the start as her very reduced warm up. But it was Stuart and Alan Lowth that put the most effort in. Stuart took full advantage of the many marshals, pinning one corner of his bib on himself whilst having three other people to quickly place the remaining pins before breathlessly finding the ladies on the start line. The last to arrive was Alan who ran to the back of the already-running pack, with his bib still in his hand.

This is a flat, fast paced race, with many junior athletes regularly taking part. It is located at Lakeside North Harbour so expect wonderful sunsets and beautiful scenery as you run two laps of the lake. The marshals are plenty and are very encouraging. 

There were 97 finishers. Well done to our four runners; Stuart Crosswell, Alan Lowth, (just don’t look at his distance!) Danielle Dawkins and Pauline Nicholson.
Well done everyone and we hope that more of you sign up for future races. 

There are 4 more this season. Every runner scores a point for the club. The top ten male and female finishers in each race are awarded bonus points. Individual series is based on the best of 3 races. There are awards for the top 6 teams in the Alexandra Sports Inter-Club Challenge so please come and along so we can get as many points as we can. The next race is 25th May. Pre-entry is recommended.

http://www.athleticevents.co.uk/lakeside%205k%20series.html

I never thought that I would ever run...... Let alone do the famous London Marathon.

A surprise club ballot place came round really quickly... Training (slowly) seemed to work for a change and running twice a week was also part of a sensible plan. With runs to Ashurst, Lyndhurst and Gosport,.. mainly in Rain, Dark and Snow... I was ready for "The Big One".

Thunderstorms the night before ruined any chance of an early night, and a 4.00am alarm for a 5.30am coach was a shock to the system!!!. Arriving at the start line around 8.30, was a great feeling, It was very warm by the time I entered my pen at 9.30, very compact and busy... the Elite went off and we followed around 10.40. My training and plan was to run 25 minutes, then walk 5. Feeling fresh but boiling, I somehow went off with the crowd and ran the first 8 miles, I stopped for a foot issue and applied some Vaseline, kindly supplied by my amazing support team (Girlfriend).

The crowds were amazing, and wearing my charity shirt, I had so many shouts... Not sure if I had drank too little or too much, but by mile 11, I saw lots of people doing the same. I started to feel faint and drifted left towards the barriers... by Tower Bridge, I felt sick to go with the dizzy spell and was unsure what was going on. The Bridge indicates that you have made half-way point. I saw a friend shortly after, he too was struggling and so we walk/ran for a bit, I left him thinking "How will I find the guts to find another 12 miles".

I had the goal to get to Mile 17 as the GF would hopefully be there, The crowds seemed to roar, and even my walk breaks were quick, The heat was immense and even the showers didn't cool us down. By the time I reached the girlfriend at the 17 Mile marker, I was totally broken and did think of calling it a day. "No way" she said... "You can do this. Dont give up!!!", I didn't want to let my friends/family/training buddies/running club/gang down, so stuck at it and carried on...

At Mile 20, the sickness whilst running had eased, and although the dizziness remained, I was loving the whole experience... I had only ever dreamed of this. My plan now was to run 600m and walk 400m,....and by sticking to this, I thought "I can do this".

 Many thanks to Tracy Puttock for taking the trouble to write the following event report for the Women's Running Southampton 5K/10K race on the 4th of June 2017.....

​This morning I ran the Women’s Running  5k / 10K at Southampton Common. I chose to run the 5k as I ran the London 10000 last Monday, have Endure 24 next weekend as well as some ongoing knee problems     
The event was well organised and had a small race village with stalls selling running goods. Hedge End Running Club was well represented in both the 5k by myself, Yvonne Coxhill and Karen Massey and in the 10k by Kate Maslin, Kelly Greig, Isla Henderson, Sarah Martin and Gemma Hargrave (70 minute pacer).
The races started at 10am and were laps around the common of tree lined paths with more laps depending on which race you were running.
We had great results in both races with Kate finishing 1st in the 10k and myself in 4th in the 5k. All the other Hedgies had great times too.
I would recommend this race to all female runners because it has a wide ability range and everyone was given fantastic support. 
Tracy. 

We held a minutes silence at the start and then we got underway. After the lap of the cricket pitch you head out to the village and up hill towards Timsbury. This is great for me as I am really terrible at pacing so I always go off too fast. I started with Carol and Sheryl but after 3 miles I couldn't keep up with them. Both ladies are really on form and I had to eat their dust. 
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The second loop is a shorter version of the first and I'll admit I walked the hill. We got into the recreation ground which is where the finish lies and did the loop of the field. Its easy to forget this loop as the finish line lies right in the middle so if you are anything like me it is really easy to start your sprint finish too early. Thankfully, I know this race so I didn't sprint until the last turn and then I totally went for it. 

I love a sprint finish. I can't always manage it any more but I tried today. I was raced by a man (pictured in purple) and he pipped me to the line but at least I gave it a good go. 

The best part about the race is the finish. There is a free pint of beer for all the runners (or 4 if you are Terry Orr and your friends don't want theirs). There are cakes which would put any school fete to shame. ​

It's a great race, short and sweet, rewarded with an ice cold beer and cake. I'd encourage anyone to have a go. 

Lauren x

Many thanks to Karen Andrews for the following event report on the Lakeside 5K race on 24th May 2017...

This Wednesday saw the second in this year's Lakeside 5k series, based at Lakeside 1000 near Hilsea.

I have done a number of these races over the past few years, and have experienced three different courses. The first course I did involved a few loops around a car park, an uninspiring section along main road, then a nice straight sprint to the finish line. Last year the course was changed to incorporate the lake (quite aptly, given the name), but keep the same finish section. One more change for this season has seen the course become two identical laps, preceded by a fast, slightly downhill start. I have to say, despite the new course having a few tight turns and a splattering of bollards to avoid, I much prefer it. The gravel and tarmac path around the lake takes runners on a much more scenic route than the old road course, and it is nice to run without cars whizzing by. Doing two laps doesn't bother me - I always think lapped runs are only mentally challenging if you let them be. But think positive and they can be quite beneficial - you know that once it starts getting tough, all you need to do is start that second lap and you're over half way!

So... as it was such a beautiful day, Wednesday's race preparation for me went as follows: Go to the seaside. Eat ice cream. Remember to drink lots of water. Forget to apply suncream. Get sunburn. Decide not to race. Be informed by the children that I have to race because they still want to go to their Uncle's house (chief babysitter). Drink lucozade. And an espresso. And another one. Plan your departure time based on the 7.30 start time. Realise it's a 7.15 start time. Get a move on!

It was lovely to arrive and see lots of Hedgies already there. Some warming up, most catching up, and all discussing how this beautiful heatwave was just a bit of an inconvenience on a race night.

When you enter your first Lakeside 5k of the year you get issued with your number. You then keep this for each of the races in that season. Having run the first one in April, I already had my number so headed along the lakeside path for a warm up. Lakeside always seems to be a popular hangout for geese, and my warm up including "ahhh-ing" at the baby geese (which probably have a proper name, like geeselings or something). Then it was off to the start.
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Lakeside isn't chip timed, so the start can be a bit of an elbow battle near the front. I found a spot near a runner I know who is about the same pace as me. We were having a lovely chat when the horn suddenly went off, and we never did finish our conversation. Maybe next month!

The slightly downhill start at Lakeside makes for a fast first kilometre, which suits me quite well. My plan was to go out fast for the first km, cling on/slow down slightly for the next two km, take km four a bit easier (somehow this helps me psychologically to know I get a bit of a breather!) then pick up again for the last kilometre. I pretty much stuck to the plan, with the help of a few fellow runners who I teamed up with at various points. Running is always easier when you have someone to run alongside! I was pleased to find myself over taking a number of people in the last two kilometres, despite my planned drop in pace. With about a mile to go I overtook a lady who always finishes ahead of me. With a kilometre to go (and with the help of synchronised running with a man from Stubbington Green, which kept us both pushing on) I upped the pace and did my last kilometre in 3.47. I crossed the finish line at 18.59. Not a PB, but faster than the month before so progress! Given that I only like hot weather if I am near a pool or on a beach, I was pleased to finish so strong. Or finish at all. In all honesty I wanted to stop after one lap because it was hard work and I was so hot. What got me through wasn't sheer grit and determination. It wasn't repeating inspiring mantras in my head. Nor was it an intrinsic desire to achieve my best. It was the fact that one of my Year 11 students often helps to give out water at the finish line. No way was I dropping out and risking him seeing me giving up on something, when I constantly harp on about self belief at school.

For me, the best bit about local races is always seeing running friends, and cheering some of them on over the finish line then having a catch up. It was great to hear of some excellent performances and PBs. Notably, three Hedgies came in under 18 minutes - well done Kevin, Will and Peter.

There's no medal after the Lakeside races, just the glow of sweat and the pride of a job well done (and a banana). I am a big fan of race bling, but despite there being no hint of medal/Tshirt/purple hand towel, I still enter Lakeside because of the chance to run a fast and flat course. Whatever pace you run, it is a good chance to push yourself under race conditions to see just what you can achieve. The atmosphere is really good, there are lots of Hedgies to cheer you on, and a Starbucks less than 20 metres from the finish line! There was none of the famous Hedgie cake this time, but I am planning on baking for the next one (requests now being taken).

Well done to everyone who took part, especially when most of us would quite happily have been in the garden with a cold drink.
If you haven't done a Lakeside 5k before then I thoroughly recommend trying the next one on Wednesday June 28th (& getting your cake requests in to me early!)

Entries can be completed online at http://www.athleticevents.co.uk/lakeside%205k%20series.html

Karen x

I will keep it brief as Tracy and Robbie have already articulated what a fabulous event the London Marathon is.  It is unlike any other running event I have taken part, you are like a premiership football for the day, without the wages or abuse.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the race, which was always far and away my number 1 goal for the day.  Running wise it was hard day at the office, even with what I thought was a very conservative pacing strategy.

A couple of things I did learn from the race.

1. It is advisable to do some training in the lead up to a race, it really does help.  Running a total of 50 miles in January and only 80 in February, was not good preparation.
2. Tapering is also not just an old wives tail, it really does help your performance.  I had completed a 50 mile race two weeks previous, which went well but I had struggled to recover from it.

Thanks for the club for giving me the opportunity.

So where does one start… Do you want just a race report or the full weekend experience… I’ll go with the latter and you can skip through the logistics part if you like.
My travel plan was to stay at the Crowne Plaza in Ealing for two reasons, firstly I know the hotel and it gave me easy access to an office on Monday morning. Secondly it is part of the Holiday Inn chain that are official partners of the race so it had a coach transport to the start included in the price.  The coach worked out well, although a little early for some I’m sure (7:30 arrival at the start).  Personally I was happy enough I always prefer to be early, although had it been a rainy day I might have had a different view.
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So getting nearer to the race it's amazing that in a field of twenty thousand people queuing for a portaloo that someone shouts your name and you find yourself having a selfie with your fellow club members, Hedge End Running Club are always a friendly bunch!  Just before the start another spots the red white and blue Hedgie vest and appears, it was great to have Donna to chat too as we waited for the start and ran the first mile or so together before inevitably being split up by the sheer numbers of people jostling for position on the road.
So onto the nitty gritty, my hope, despite lack of training was to get sub 4 hours (3:59:59) but deep down I knew that was an impossible ask and simply finishing would be an achievement so off I trotted after a wave to the Royals (I got far too starstruck and excited) I managed to hit the first 10 miles or so at the pace I wanted for a 4 hour time.
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 Unfortunately during that time the dreaded thought of do I need a ‘personal stop’ or not was in my head, so at about 12 miles (* distances may not be accurate at time of typing) I had to stop, que, and get started again which inevitably put me behind my 4 hour target. My first instinct was to put my foot down and make that time up ASAP, but my sensible head (yes I do occasionally have one) said I had half a marathon in which to chip away at the deficit and get back on track at a steady pace. Fast forward to 18 - 19 miles and boom, flick the switch and my legs suddenly had nothing!  


Hit the wall...

Well, I would say that London Marathon is one of the most amazing and uplifting things I have ever done. I really enjoyed it, and whilst I said I would never ever do a marathon again, I will do another one. It was harder than I expected after 18 miles, and even though I had done a fair amount of training I still ended up walking the last 5 miles.
I was passed by 4 Rhinos, ( one whom I ran with and got water for, for about a mile) and I felt really inspired by all the messages on peoples backs, and photos of loves ones. The support from the crowd was really uplifting and with all the bad things that happen in the world, this was one of those really positive events that makes you see the good in people as well. Cheesy I know, but that was what I felt.

I had amazing support from the crowds and friends and family, and whilst I know I am meant to cry at the end, my dear friend Jo ( Comerford) had a tear in her eye for me when I met them all at the finish meeting points.

Well I thought I was very disciplined, however I did what so many people had told me not to do. I went off too quick at the start. I kept looking at my watch and thinking ‘ I need to slow down’ but the crowd just takes you.
I was so pleased I was able to meet Julie at the start, and have a chat beforehand (and calmed me down) and also Robbie, - it was great to get a photo of us all together.

I thought the race was very well organised, and there was no panic at the start. I would however say that the queues for the portaloos throughout the race, meant that you just kept running , thinking I’ll go at the next ones, but they were just as bad. I got to 20 miles and had to give in ( sorry too much info, but I share this as I have learnt a few lessons). In my paranoia of getting dehydrated, as it was quite warm, I think I probably drank too much water, on top of the tailwind that I had also in my camelback. Anyway when I finally decided I could wait no longer, I had to wait about 20 minutes for one. My friends that were tracking were all worried I had collapsed, as suddenly I had stopped moving completely.
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I would also advise that unless you know London like the back of your hand, ( which my husband didn’t) it is difficult to get to lots of viewing points especially with two kids in tow. I also managed to run past all of them twice even though we had agreed 14 miles, and just before 17 miles to meet and dump the camelback. Consequently I didn’t see them until 19 miles, that they had to leg it to, so as not to miss me again. At which point Jo had joined them and expertly moved them to other positions and the end to see me. I mention this point as for the quicker runners supporters this would be even more of a challenge!

I had an amazing day, and I think friends and family had a good time. They were just blown away at the speed of the Elite runners. Ben has said he would like to do London one day, and asked how long he has to wait.

So on the whole, I think I made some of the classic novice mistakes, and I am annoyed with myself for walking the last 5 miles, as the following day, I was walking fine, using the stairs etc., and know that I could have put more effort in. I think for me, when I got to the 21 point and I had seen a number of people taken ill, I wanted to just make sure I finished without flaking out, so I played it safe. Still another lesson.
 
I would definitely do London again if I had the opportunity and would consider Southampton, as it’s on the doorstep, but otherwise I think I will be sticking to half marathons as my favoured choice, only because of the time commitment for the training.
 
Thank you so much for giving me this brilliant opportunity, something I will never forget, was Jo welling up, and my two boys and husband telling me how proud they were of me. Unforgettable!