A bright and sunny Saturday morning saw Southampton Common host the Womans Running 10K. A series of events held around the country just for ladies. With an 11am start time there was plenty of time for a pre race porridge breakfast, to get there and of course meet with the other Hedgie ladies for our pre race team photos!!
Our Ladies captain Kelly led us away from the mass warm up and gave us all a Berni style warm up. By now the sun was beating down on us with a temperature of 23 degress and we knew it was going to be a warm one. Before the race, it was advised to grab some water so the water station was opened and bottles were handed out for on the way round.
Kelly was the sub 50 minute pacer for the event so with her flag attached it was easy to spot her. There were also pacers for 55,60 and 70 mins. We were called to the start line, however many times I start a race there is always that excited nervous feeling waiting for the gun to sound. Kelly took her position right at the front and surrounded by some Hedgie Ladies we were ready, I asked Claire if she was going to win todays race, she was not so sure!! The gun sounded.
Our Ladies captain Kelly led us away from the mass warm up and gave us all a Berni style warm up. By now the sun was beating down on us with a temperature of 23 degress and we knew it was going to be a warm one. Before the race, it was advised to grab some water so the water station was opened and bottles were handed out for on the way round.
Kelly was the sub 50 minute pacer for the event so with her flag attached it was easy to spot her. There were also pacers for 55,60 and 70 mins. We were called to the start line, however many times I start a race there is always that excited nervous feeling waiting for the gun to sound. Kelly took her position right at the front and surrounded by some Hedgie Ladies we were ready, I asked Claire if she was going to win todays race, she was not so sure!! The gun sounded.
The course was 2 1⁄2 laps around the common which included areas of shade from the trees and running on both grass and the paths. The water station was passed twice which for me involved pouring bottles of water over my head just to cool down.
I knew that I had to stay in front of Kelly to be in with a chance of a sub 50min, all this was going well until I heard behind me ‘Sarah use your heels’ I then knew I had gone off to quickly and the 50 min target was out of reach. Kelly had overtaken me and before long was out of sight.
I knew that I had to stay in front of Kelly to be in with a chance of a sub 50min, all this was going well until I heard behind me ‘Sarah use your heels’ I then knew I had gone off to quickly and the 50 min target was out of reach. Kelly had overtaken me and before long was out of sight.
After a hot 6 miles, the finish was in sight – At last I thought. As I approached the 200m left to go I found a sudden burst of energy and the interval training came into play. Looking at the watch and hearing Kelly shout and encourage me there was still a possibility for a sub 50!!
In a time of 49.46, I just made it over the line, then to fall into Claire and Kelly pouring a bottle of water over me. Thanks Ladies.
In a time of 49.46, I just made it over the line, then to fall into Claire and Kelly pouring a bottle of water over me. Thanks Ladies.
For me the race was hard, what did it for me was once again prove the team support from the Ladies at HERC is incredible. We continued to watch fellow Hedgies cross the line with cheers and support and celebrate in style with waving bottles of water over the champion of the day, Claire!!! As we watched Claire receive her champagne and new trainers on the podium, I realised thats why I run and why I run with HERC.
I had expected to see more runners out on Saturday, looking at the entrants lists there were only 194 finishers. Lots more recorded as DNS. Good job really as there were not many toilets!!! As running club entrants go there were definitely more red, white and blue vests than any other.
The local brownies and guides had made some amazing cakes and supplied tea to all the runners. The goody bag at the finish line was also very impressive as well as a technical t-shirt and medal. All in all a very hot local 10K full of lovely ladies!!!!
I had expected to see more runners out on Saturday, looking at the entrants lists there were only 194 finishers. Lots more recorded as DNS. Good job really as there were not many toilets!!! As running club entrants go there were definitely more red, white and blue vests than any other.
The local brownies and guides had made some amazing cakes and supplied tea to all the runners. The goody bag at the finish line was also very impressive as well as a technical t-shirt and medal. All in all a very hot local 10K full of lovely ladies!!!!
RSS Feed