Eastleigh 10K 2015

By the bike shed

I can’t remember when I first ran this race – but it has been a key date in my calendar for a few years now.  

I think it’s one of the best local 10Ks for newbies as it is flat (apart from the hill), it’s known territory for those of us who run the mean streets of Eastleigh regularly and supporters get at least 3 opportunities to see us hurtle™ by.

Couple of changes this year – the t-shirts are now technical fabric (good), with Clare W & 

Karen I  found some almost queue-less loos  (good) but the fruit cake at the end has been replaced with a jaffa cake (not good).  Weather was mild & sunny without getting hot (good) and there was enough water at the end (v.good) - unlike last year.  Start time was technically 1 hour earlier - but as this race has previously fallen on the day the clocks change, not really different this year. 

Meeting up by the bike sheds beforehand, it was great to see so many Running Sisters - 30 I think.  Photo, then off to the start. 

I like to start towards the back but Lou didn’t look impressed.  Got irritated by PA describing us as the more “leisurely runners” – we may not all be fast, but leisurely we are not!

I opted to run with Rachel B who was aiming to do something around 63ish minutes – I’d already written off a sub 60 as my training has been curtailed recently by glutes issues.   We messed up our pacing big time though, doing the first 1K way too fast & then paying the price later.

It was good to hear a runner complain about the presence of the hill on a race advertised as flat – it’s a universal constant.  Tried to reassure her that it would be over soon with a lovely long gradual down.  

Admired the daffs on the verges of Passfield Avenue.  6K water pause.  Derby Road always feels tough, but then it’s onto familiar territory on Desborough and Chestnut.  We played cat & mouse with 2 blokes who we kept overtaking.  

The marshals have a tough job with this race as the roads are closed - which means that they have to keep impatient motorists at bay.  

Back onto Passfield & then through the park.  It was fantastic to see and hear a crowd of Running Sisters as we neared the finish – and we joined them to pass on the favour to those still running.

Kathryn S was the final Sister over the line – her first ever 10K!  I know that Denise, Sue W & Tabatha all achieved  PBs.  

Many thanks to Lindsay, Laurel, Laura, Becky & Sharon for fantastic (and noisy) support & photos (all on this post are Sharon's).  And to Jeff for bringing our flag along.

All the race needs is a medal, fruit cake & it’d be my favourite 10k!

Results:

Astrid Mangel 70:14

Becky Yorke 59:23

Bridget Wells 61:54

Caroline Vasili 61:31

Catherine Curtice 80:16
Chrissie Wall 65:10

Clare World 53:20

Claire Wilson 67:33

Debbie Harvey 68:44

Dee Atyeo 64:15

Denise Hughes 59:20
Gabby O'Brien 48:56

Gin Tidridge 63:49

Glenna Greenslade 63:27

Jo Culpin 57:08
Karen Bolton 53:40

Kathryn Smith 83:29

Lisa Graham 49:06

Louise Hillier-Wheal 56:37

Maria Oinn 57:12

Nikki Skeats 60:08

Pauline Herd 56:18
Rachael Ingram 63:10

Rachel Bradley 63:49

Sam Radford 64:16

Sue Leith 60:38

Sue Wilton 54:40

Tabatha McCormick 48:46

Tina Blackburn 62:16

Wendy Wynne 61:55

2015 training weekend

Saturday morning run

I think this was my 4^th Training Weekend – and possibly the best so far.  Don’t let the word “training” put you off as it’s a case of doing as much or as little as you want.  We actually had 2 women join us who don’t currently run much as well as Liz from Lordshill.

So, the downsides first to get them out of the way.  I don’t think anyone would describe the bedrooms & bunks as luxurious. I have long, thick hair and now don’t bother trying to wash it in the showers which are not exactly powershowers.  Dry shampoo & ear plugs are on my packing list.  Washing up is necessary – but a rota shares the chore.  And no wifi!

And everything else was fabulous.  First run was led by Pat on Friday afternoon – I arrived just as the runners were coming back.  Found my bunk, cup of tea & the first bit of cake. 

2 women from Alexandra Sports gave a talk mostly on sports bras.  Apparently these should be changed when you buy new running shoes as opposed to when your thumb goes through the very worn fabric.  And allegedly, it is worth getting your gait analysed more than once every 15 years.  Who knew? Discount on the kit they brought along was appreciated.  

This year, we had a badge making machine - the outputs really helped to keep track of who was who.  Helen became queen of the machine, with much glee.

Dinner, a couple of beers & bed.

We were up early for the 7:30am run, joined by Lou & Claire D who were with us just for Saturday.  6Kish on a clear morning across open forest by Lyndhurst, passing some over excited cows on the way back – difficult to beat. 

Porridge, then the day’s activities.  I started with yoga, but ducked out of the (apparently v.good) speed/agility session in favour of a sports massage.  The yoga instructor targeted runners’ requirements well.  Self defence next – choi martial arts moves combined with excellent advice on how to get out safely from sticky situations.

After lunch, a small group of us headed out to combine a bike ride with putting out the signs for Sunday’s run – really impressed with Donna doing so well on a little folding bike as we covered about 18km. 

When we got back, it was straight into this year’s surprise activity – hula hooping.  Amazed that I managed to do this following a very frustrating few minutes & Vicky giving me some much needed coaching.   

After dinner, we had a competition to select a team to act as ambassadors for the club, demonstrating deep knowledge of running, running culture and social skills.  The teams also had their fashion creativity tested as they made ball gowns….

Sunday – porridge and then the long run through the Forest.  Most of us did somewhere between 5K & 8 miles – supported by Karen whisking past on a bike.  It’s done as a “there & back” – runners decide on their own distance & it’s unusual for anyone to end up alone for too long.  Very relieved that nobody got lost – the signs worked!  Not sunny & a bit grey – but it stayed dry.

Sunday Run

I went around the course again on my bike to retrieve the signs – and got back in time for lunch (jackets with lots of filling options), more tea, more cake.

It always surprises me how smoothly we seem to clean & clear out of Foxlease.  The washing up rota squad did an amazing job – as did so many others with the hoover & brooms.  We came very close to leaving Sue L without any trousers (she was having a sports massage & they were being considered as lost property) but I managed to steal her Garmin by mistake.

Home, tired, have already put next year’s in the diary!  Thanks to Sue W, Pat, Lynne, Tanya and Karen who made it happen and to all of you who came who made It so good.