Palace Half Marathon - Race report

Who would be so shallow as to be persuaded to enter a race pretty much only because of a huge medal, in the shape of Henry VIII doing a mo-bot?  6 Running Sisters.....

This was the first Palace Half - multi terrain and all within the parkland surrounding Hampton Court.  9am start would normally be challenging, allowing for travel time, but this race was scheduled for the day the clocks change:

• 9am clock, 8am body clock start
• 7:30am clock, 6:30am body clock get to Hampton Court & park car
• 6am clock, 5am body clock, pick up Clare, Dee & Debbie from Fair Oak

and I am so not a morning person!  

To be honest, I was worrying more about getting there on time than I was running 13 miles - so it was a relief that there was no traffic (and why would there be at that time on a Sunday?) and that it was easy to find & park.  We scrabbled to get coins together for parking (I hadn't thought of that) & walked across a park to get to the palace in drizzle & high winds.

First loo queue in the cafe (not too bad) then walked to the start through a beautiful informal spring garden with daffs and blossom. We bumped into Sam & Sue L - and with supporters Sharon and Sam's family.  We also found Dee's son Matthew who was running - and persuaded him to be in some of the photos with us.  There were not so many people (2,465) that we couldn't find each other - but enough for a weirdly slow moving queue for the bag drop and portaloos.   We got to the start (back in front of the palace) just before the start.

The route took us out of the main gates & for just a few yards of pavement before turning up a path by the river which we followed for the first few miles.  Clare & I were just a tad ahead of Sam, Dee and Sue.  Debbie was a little behind them.  A few runners had themed fancy dress - we saw a knight and two tudor ladies.

It was a very flat track with views across the river to houseboats & prime real estate.  When we reached a road, there was a tiny slope up before turning into Home Park which started looking more like a common before we got to zig zag around more formal bits closer to the palace.  The wind was more of an issue here - but the rain seemed to have eased off.  

One section of deep gravel was seriously hard work, making our way to the front of the palace for lap 2 - compensation was high fiving Henry VIII (didn't see that in Wolf Hall).

Lap 2 started out the same along the river.  Clare spotted bunnies, but I had too much sweat in my eyes to see! Back into the park for a different route to lap 1 - lots of grass around big straight ponds (Longwater Avenue).  Clare sensibly left me as I slowed and slowed, finding the wet grass tough going.

I felt very weary at the end - and felt quite emotional on seeing Sharon with her camera at the finish.  Sam, Sue and Dee came in just afterwards - Sue's first ever half.  Clare headed straight off again as she had miles to complete for her London marathon training - I am in awe!  Especially as she found Debbie (also first ever half) and kept her company on the last section.

Huge medals really did not disappoint (favourite comment on FB from Jo C - "It's not a medal it's a pub sign").  Tech t-shirts, plenty of water & some fruit - but I was craving Clare's flapjacks.   

Photos with Henry VIII - an unexpected bonus - although given that there were 6 of us, I did wonder if we were safe from marriage...

The organisers had encouraged people to bring picnics - but it really wasn't the right weather for sitting out.  Debbie treated us to hot drinks at the cafe & we had some food in the car (including the flapjacks) before an easy drive home.

Thanks so much to Sharon for the photos and to Sam's family for supporting us.

As an event, I was very impressed.  Historic and fabulous venue, it was well thought through as a route and it was so good to be away from traffic.  The only things I could niggle about were very minor (queue for bag droop, some carbs (e.g. cake!) at the end would have been welcome, hated the gravel) - but if it as good next year, I can recommend it highly.  

Clare 2:26:18

Debbie 2:46:30 - first ever so a PB

Dee 2:28:17

Gin 2:27:32

Sam 2:28:18

Sue 2:28:13 - first ever so a PB

And Matt's time was 1:31:43.....

Many thanks to Sharon for these fabulous photos.

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.

Great South Run

I'd told Louise that as we were doing the Great North, we should do the Great South too this year.  And I had my spider costume to wear as I'd promised my generous sponsors that I'd wear it for both runs, raising money for the Footsteps Foundation who have helped my niece Annie enormously with physio (their key piece of equipment is known as a spider).

We've done the Great South a few times and now I've done more big scale runs, I think I've learned to appreciate it more.  Yes, it's pricey, especially as transferring numbers is a no-go.  Yes, logistics need planning and patience.  Yes, it's tricky to find your running buddies and supporters.  But it's also one of the best organised big runs - and one of the biggest running events in the deep south.  And 10 miles is a lovely distance.

Debbie and Sam

Lou, Clare W & I got there via Gosport & the ferry (much complaining from Lou's kids about how it is compulsory to sit outside on the ferry).  Arrived early enough to not have to queue for a loo - weird.  The baggage drop off sounded remarkably insecure so Clare ended up running with more of her stuff than she'd expected.  I put my spider outfit on again - it had survived the GNR remarkably well.

We were in the white wave - middle speed for mortal runners.  Spotted Lyndsay & her husband.

Jo Pavey was there to start us off - she won the event in 2012 - but sadly, no opera singer for the first time the 3 of us could remember.  Trumpets though.  Clare set off on a mission for a PB, Lou & I were going slower.  I did toy with the idea of sticking with the 1:40 pacemaker, but we were a little ahead.  My favourite bit is in mile 2 where the route goes through the Historic Dockyard, past Warrior and Victory. Lots of music - drumming and a pipe band.

We spotted Claire D and Maria - both looking very good round about mile 4 just before the first water station - unlike previous years, there were 2 water & 1 lucozade points (and very thankful it wasn't gatorade).

We ran past a Chinese restaurant where apparently Peter Sellers was born.  Great to see Lyndsay again - quality support - and Louise was chuffed when she heard one of her students cheering her.

Sam, Debbie and Lucy

I started to struggle before the halfway point.  I'd had a cold the week before and although I was OK at the gym on Friday, my chest started feeling tight and my heartrate was too high.  Louise tried to convince me that we both needed to slow down before realising that I wouldn't do so enough whilst worrying about messing up her race - so we split up and I promised Lou that I'd be sensible.  Couldn't get my heartrate to go below 180 and it felt tough!  The 1:40 pacemaker had overtaken me long ago.  Mile 7-8 through a housing estate with no music was hard.  Traditionally, it's miles 8-10 that are toughest - as you turn onto the seafront, there is always a headwind and mentally, you feel that the finish must be closer than 2 miles away...  Jelly babies were being given out (sensibly) at that point.

I finished in 1:45:35.  Ended up walking through the finishers' funnel behind a group of marine commandos, complete with drummers and green berets, which was rather cool.  Met up with Lou and Clare - so pleased that both of them had good times and that Clare had a PB.  Bit sad that I didn't find any other Sisters - but it was great catching up with everyone subsequently.  19 of us took part - most impressive!

Long walk to the ferry made shorter with a fab conversation about debating (yes, really!) with Lou's eldest.


Having said it would be my last GSR, I'm weakening already.....

Solent Running Sisters Nailed the Great South:
Bernadette: 1:55:27
Claire Deacon 1:28:58
Clare World 1:33:21
Claudia Lucas 1:55:07
Debbie Harvey 1:52:12
Dee Atyeo 1:42:03
Eileen 1:52:02
Emma Hickman 1:41:54
Gin Tidridge 1:45:33
Joanne Thomas 1:42:50
Louise Hillier-Wheal 1:39:54
Lucy 1:52:02
Maria Warwick 1:26:17
Nic Jones 1:33:46
Pauline 1:33:57
Rachel Sturdy 1:30:41
Sam Radford 1:52:04
Sophie Mackenzie 1:37:11
Tanya Marie Carter 1:49:19

Great North Run

Photo: Debbi Barnett

The Great North was the run I wanted to do before I started running.  My parents live in Corbridge - close to Newcastle, it's the UK's biggest race (56,000 runners) and my little sister Debbi has been on about it for years.  This year, I got a place in the ballot for the first time - as did Louise.  Debbi bought a charity place from Great Ormond Street.  Very glad I booked up the flights as soon as I could for Lou & I - and very grateful to Mum & Dad for agreeing to put us up.

Because it wouldn't be my first half and I wanted to raise money for the children's physio charity Footsteps Foundation who have done amazing work with my niece Annie, I decided to make it my first fancy dress race.  The key equipment that Footsteps use is a frame/harness system called a spider - so my outfit was a spider.  Black tights with bubble wrap inside for the legs, a web window decoration as a cape and a black hat with 6 eyes....

The day before the run was fab.  My parents took Louise & I to Hadrians Wall - Housesteads & Steel Rigg.  It's the bit of the wall that Robin Hood got to in less than a day after landing at Dover apparently!  Introduced Louise to Debbi & finalised web cape with help from everyone including a bemused neighbour.

We knew that logistics would be tricky so we got the bus into Newcastle very early.  Debbi found the Great North Beer Tent crew she'd hooked with on Facebook for a photo op.  Queued for the loo, walked to the baggage buses, queued for the loo, found the start.  Lou & I decided to start in Debbi's wave - she'd done loads of research on which side to be on which was helpful.

Red Arrow fly past, then we set off.  Water handed to us almost immediately. I was a bit surprised how many people were walking within the first mile - nothing wrong with that at all but not something I'd seen to that extent before.  Also unusual was running on traffic free dual carriageways - a first!  Over the Tyne Bridge - the bit I'd really looked forward to.  The level of support was amazing - supporters lining pretty much all 13.1 miles of the route.

Great North Beer Tent

Debs was finding her first ever half tough.  She'd got to 8 miles in training, but the heat was getting to her big time around mile 3.  I decided to stick with her - and impressively, given that they'd only met the day before, Louise decided to do so too. 

Photo: Louise Hillier-Wheal

Loved the karakoke man - never have I sung so much on a run!  We overtook Tony the Fridge and saw so many fabulous outfits.  Loads of water & lucozade stations - and locals with hosepipes from their gardens providing showers!  I didn't find it hot, but many others did.

The route wasn't too hilly - a couple of long slogs though.  Most picturesque bit was coming over the last hill to see the light house at South Shields.  Debs was still running - so proud of the way she dug into the run whilst finding it really tough.  Mark Knopfler's "Local Hero" seemed to be playing for most of the last bit, but we went over the finish line to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now".

Met up with Mum & Dad amongst hundreds of people at the end.  Debbi shot off to try & catch her pre booked train - but ended up queueing forever for buses (luckily train operator was kind).  Mum & Dad took me & Louise back to Corbridge - a tortuous journey that took longer than it took Phil to drive from Exeter to Eastleigh that afternoon!  The event was exceptionally well organised - but the sheer numbers meant lots of queuing and waiting.

Nice easy flight home.  It was an amazing event, but I found the support from Mum & Dad, Louise deciding to support Debs, and Debbi's tenacity in running 13.1 miles for the first time the most inspirational components.   And there's the £390 pre gift aid donated by friends, colleagues and family for Footsteps - thank you so much for your generosity.

Great South to follow - second outing for the spider outfit!

Wimbledon Half 27th July

Womble medal.  
  

Clare W, Louise & I had been looking for runs with good medals (or any medal for that matter - Louise was very uninspired by the buffs awarded in a 10K earlier this year) - and Wimbledon came up as an option.
There are 3 half marathons organised every year on Wimbledon Common - and at £20 for affiliated entry, seem good value for money, especially given that medals and t-shirts are in the deal.  We chose July & entered.
Panic ensued when the organisers announced that the medals would be tennis racquets instead for the July run - any medal is good, but let's face it, a womble is so much better.  We also worried that our friends & families would be led to believe that we'd given up running for tennis.  I think that others may have been (even) more vocal in their feelings about this change as a subsequent announcement "clarified" that the racquets would be in addition to wombles - not instead of.  Phew.
So, 6:30am on a sunny Sunday, Clare picked Louise & me up & drove us to London.  Little traffic and despite dire warnings, easily found a parking spot close to the start.  Again, despite dire warnings, there were loos with acceptable length queues.
We could tell we were in London as the catering included a posh expresso van!
I was really chuffed that my manager's manager came along to see us off (he lives near by).
The route was good:

Weird tags

• 2 loops
• Tagged - but needed a degree in engineering to work out how to fix to shoes.  And they weren't recycled at the end which didn't seem very womble.
• First 1.5 miles were uphill - and miles 7-8.5 thanks to the laps.  This worked out well as it was over early on - and we knew what to expect in lap 2.  The rest of the route was flat or downhill.
• Car free!  In fact, there were points where I could have been in the New Forest - apart from sounds of distant traffic and that the horses we saw all had riders on.
• Didn't need trail shoes - but suspect that they will be essential for the October run.
• Varied scenery - woodland, common, parkland and a windmill.
• The water stations weren't where advertised, but all had plenty of water bottles, making it easy to keep hydration up on a warm day.

The marshals weren't exactly engaging - but did seem to cope well when a runner fell ahead of me & Lou.  We would have appreciated more directions at one point, but it was OK.

Clare soon outran me & Louise - she had a great run.  Lou & I tackled it as a team, which works well for us when not chasing times.  We entertained ourselves by freaking out passers by - saying "good morning" seems akin to establishing eye contact on the tube.   Sadly, ran past a sleeping homeless bloke in lap one - he was awake & on his 1st fag when we passed him on lap 2.

No wombles spotted en route - but my Mum pointed out that they may have all been underground, out of the sun.

We finished the run with a local runner who thanked us afterwards for chatting to her as it kept her going.

At the end, Clare pointed out where to get our womble medals (not obvious) and we finished with a picnic on a playing field.

Traffic wasn't great coming home & we were lucky to get past an overturned horsebox on the M3.

Many thanks to Clare for driving & organising us and to Lou for being such a good running partner.  Photos are Lou's.

• Clare W: 2:12:32
• Louise: 2:29:01
• Me: 2:29:02

RR10 Wilverley Plain 2014

Thanks to Paul Hammond

My first RR10 of 2014 - and it was fabulous.  I don't clock watch when doing cross country - I just run as hard as I feel like doing & enjoy the scenery, being outdoors and the challenge of getting over the changing terrain.  We had a stunning sunset and many many trees to appreciate!  Wilverley requires one of the longest drives to an RR10 & is in the New Forest, between Brockenhurst and Burley. 

Thanks to Paul Hammond

 


Heather & I decided when we arrived that we'd use the loo - sheer luxury to have one.  But it was just one and queuing for it took at least 15mins - at least it served as a meeting point where we met Verity, Sue and Bridget.  The queue also provided the opportunity to apply insect repellent - a must for any summer Forest run - although Lynne later had some accidentally sprayed in her mouth - not an experience to repeat.



Thanks to Paul Hammond

There were fewer of us than I expected - certainly fewer Southampton regulars - but I'm sure that was partially due to this being the furthest RR10 from home.

The safety briefing lacked the drama of the CC6 from Wilverley Plain - no mentions of quick sand!

Setting off across a heathland plain, I caught up with Bridget & could see Lynne ahead of me - and this was pretty much the story of my race.  Bridget & I ran bits together but I'm a little quicker downhill.  I could see Lynne but couldn't catch her.  The route headed downhill into forest on gravel tracks.  More hills & we switched to mud paths with roots to dodge - but there weren't too many properly boggy bits.  One tree to clamber over - I wasn't brave enough to hurdle despite encouragement from the marshals.

Several marshals told me I was looking good - so that must have been true.  I'm glad that I'd sprayed on insect repellent - but still sported several bites on my legs afterwards.

It wasn't quite the 8K described - I made it 7.4.  The finish was at the edge of the woods shortly after the last climb - but with enough levelness to enable strong finishes.

At the end, we met up with Tanya who'd not arrived in time to run - so good of her to stay & support.  Lynne & I went back to cheer the rest of the Sisters in.  Very impressed with Sue L & Heather's finish - sprinting beautifully!  7 of our runners managed their highest finishing position for the season so far - including our rocket Siri.

We were concerned that the water seemed to have disappeared by the time we got to the start point - only to see big bottles being brought over to replenish the supplies.  So much better than Salisbury/Eastleigh/Sheffield.

Lovely sunset to admire on the way home.  Cross country rocks.

Results (with positions, not times):

• Siri Froystadt 16 - amazingly speedy & her highest position this season.
• Jo Green 56
• Lisa Graham 68
• Verity Fisher 73
• Maria Warwick 88
• Nikki Skeats 111 - highest position this season
• Lynne Newson 117 - highest position this season
• Gin Tidridge 124
• Bridget Wells 126
• Sue Leith 134 - highest position this season
• Heather Lovelock 135
• Sally Lucas 136 - highest position this season
• Jessica Martyn 139
• Kelly Singh 140 - highest position this season
• Pat Rogers 141- highest position this season

We managed 5 teams - so a good evening for Solent Running Sisters.