Eastleigh 10K 2014 - the race report

The Eastleigh 10K feels like our race to many SRS Hubsters - it's on the streets we pound most weeks and it's often the first 10K we've faced - convenient & reasonably flat.  And fast - it's the home of many a SRS PB.

Before...

This year, 35 of us ran.  For Lyndsay, Jenna and Sue it was their first ever 10K, but they weren't the only ones feeling nervous at the start.  We didn't manage to get everyone into one picture - but one group shot did feature in the Echo.  It was cold but bright & sunny - another HRRL race with nice weather.  The t-shirts were well received this year - bright orange with a very cool graphic & a reminder on the back that this year was the 30th Eastleigh 10K.

I ran with Rachel B to start with - who seemed fixated on beating a gingerbread man.  Later, I ran with Jo T who was suffering from numb toes.  I had Nikki S in my sights for most of the race but couldn't seem to get the speed to catch up with her.  I was impressed that so many of us buddied up - Dee & Lyndsay, Kirsty & Jenna.  Marian, Rachel D and Jayne

came out to support us on which made a big difference - Marian could have a whole new career as a motivational cheer leader....

I had an idea of doing sub 60 - but had to concede that as my 5K time hasn't been below 30mins this year, that wasn't a realistic goal.

Afterwards

A whopping 14 PBs were achieved: Kirsty, Karen, Verity, Clare World, Claire Wilson, Lowri, Sam, Sarah N, Claudia, Lisa, Rachel B - and of course Sue, Lyndsay & Jenna.

It was a bit rubbish that anyone who finished after about 59 mins didn't get any water.  This is the 2nd HRRL race with water issues & we've escalated the issue to the HRRL committee.  It was also demonstrated why headphones are supposed to be banned - reports of a runner oblivious to an approaching ambulance.

The other bit that could have been better was getting together afterwards - due to a long funnel & the water shortage, we weren't really able to do so.  Next year, will see if I can get the SRS flag up at a good point towards the finish so we can cheer each other in.  Many thanks to Sharon for the group "after" shot - she's taken some really good ones.

And the end was just the end of phase 1 for Dee who went onto complete 20 miles as her longest pre-London run.  

Well done to all the SRS offspring who went onto do the fun run.  

I did get a medal - thanks to Kirsty who presented me with one she'd created on Monday - felt quite emotional.  Talking to Louise afterwards, we both felt a bit disappointed about not getting PBs - but maybe we should be focusing instead on how incredible it was that 35 of us ran 10K - and how we helped each other to get to that point in our running - whether supporting beginners, chatting each other through tough runs, sharing good ideas, keeping the club going - and all the rest.  Will stop now!

We rock.

Becky Hewitt	00:59:55
Bridget Wells	01:03:45
Claire Deacon	00:50:49
Claire Gay	00:57:18
Claire Wilson	01:00:17
Clare World	00:55:24
Claudia Lucas	01:06:52
Dee Atyeo	01:15:41
Dorte Barkley	00:49:37
Gin Tidridge	01:00:59
Hannah West	00:57:18
Heather Lovelock	01:06:20
Jenna Dyke	01:11:43
Jo Summerton	01:00:17
Jo Thomas	01:01:17
Karen Bolton	00:52:58
Kirsty Ross	01:11:43
Lisa Graham	00:52:06
Louise Hillier-Wheal	00:58:29
Lowri Evans	01:05:35
Lucy Smart	01:21:25
Lyndsay Dobson	01:15:40
Nicola Skeats	01:00:40
Pauline Herd	00:58:00
Rachel Bradley	01:03:20
Rachel Everett	01:15:52
Sam Radford	01:05:41
Sarah Nangle	00:50:46
Sian Whiffin	01:02:53
Siri Froystad	00:45:07
Sue Leith	01:02:08
Suzanne O'Gara	01:08:03
Tanya Carter	01:05:30
Tracey Cantlie	01:06:16
Verity Fisher	00:51:20