Potters Trotters member Caroline is taking part in 14 events in 2014 to raise money for the Stroke Association. Here is her report from the Great South Run in Portsmouth: This run is supposedly the flattest 10 mile road race in the world but runners were warned about the coastal wind providing our tired legs with a challenge over the last two miles. The race certainly starts off on the flat but I found the staggered start most unusual, as by the time I crossed the start line I had done 3 warms up as the orange wave started, the white wave and finally the fun runners wave, the green wave. At the start we ran past a supportive crowd and the candy floss stalls, penny arcades and fun fair at South Sea before passing Portsmouth Cathedral and winding through the old town and on past the Spinnaker Tower. Runners then have the privilege of running past HMS Victory and through the Naval Dockyard by special permission where sailors stand on their ships providing cries of encouragement from on deck. The next stage (mile 3-4) is probably the lowest point of the race as the route goes out on one side of a dual carriage way, round a round about and back along the other side. Passing runners coming towards you as you are running out was hard going with one runner confessing to me that she had cried at this point the year before. Yet a bit of encouragement amongst us fun runners and a reminder of who we are running for and why soon got us down the other side of the dual carriage way and heading back towards the coast and up to the half way mark. At this stage the crowds got thicker and the encouragement louder, the kids started lining up for a high five from the runners and jelly babies and biscuits started being handed out by the generous spectators. The running vests I read as I passed other runners were also a constant source of inspiration to keep going. At mile 7 we started to run down residential street (Henderson Road) and the encouragement from the crowd went up a gear. All the residents had brought their stereos outside and their sofas from which they yelled your name and a few encouraging words. It was a much needed boost before hitting those dreaded final 2 miles. I know we were warned but I still wasn't prepared for the leg zapping strength of the wind as I swung onto the coastal road. This was where my head wanted me to give up and walk but the views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight made it a beautiful run into the finish, past the Royal Marines Museum & the famous Yomper Statue. Unfortunately myself and a fellow runner didn't quite have enough strength in our legs to out run Pepper Pig. Yet despite that embarrassment we were very proud to cross the line and receive a fine t-shirt, medal and haul in our goodie bag for our labours. It was a good run, with great scenery and support and a decent goodie bag at the finish. I'd recommend it, just remember to save something in your legs for those last 2 miles. Back in 2012, Bobbie decided to do something a little bit different: Well, where shall I begin? A few weeks ago I casually mentioned to Jo that I fancied the look of the Shutlingsloe Fell Run which was advertised on Bryan Dale’s website. That was my 1st mistake as Jo immediately jumped at the chance to try something different and it was decided that we would give it a go. After further investigation and from speaking to various people I realised that this race was going to be a bit more tricky than I first thought and as the day approached I became increasingly nervous. The day arrived, gloriously sunny and very hot at about 27c (my favourite running conditions – not!). The run was part of The Wildboarclough Fete which was held at a stately home. The venue was lovely and the scenery stunning. We quickly established which was the ‘hill’ we had to run up and I was horrified. It was a mountain! We registered for the race and at that point only 28 other people had registered and I started to feel a bit sick. We got talking to an experienced fell runner who told us that fell runs were graded from A to C with A being the hardest. Shutlingsloe was graded as an AS – the S representing steep!!!! We lined up at the start in an overgrown, uneven field. I think the field had reached about 68 by now. I knew I was going to be last as everyone looked very experienced. Thankfully Jo had promised that she wouldn’t be her usual speedy self and we would stay together. The whistle went and we were off. All the runners went speeding off and immediately it was clear that we were a bit out of our depth – oh well can’t give up now! We ran as fast as we could down the bank to the river. We had to cross the river which was about calf high. This was really nice as it was nice and cool. I could have quite easily stayed in there. Next we had to climb through Bluebell Wood. Easier said than done. This was really steep and very muddy with rocks. There was no way I could run and was using the trees to help me get up. At the top of the wood we came to a track along which we had to run along for a few hundred metres before the climb to the summit. The climb up the hill was very challenging. There were several stiles to cross and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was more of rock climbing exercise. There was no way I could run and was on all fours most of the time trying to climb up. Although it was very sunny it was extremely windy up there and I did feel rather apprehensive and scared. When you got to the summit you had to go round a check point and then come back down. This has got to be easier than going up, I thought. WRONG. There didn’t appear to be a natural path down and I really found it very difficult and spent most of the time on my bottom! Eventually we got down to the track and just had Bluebell Wood to get through again. It was harder going down as all the mud had been churned up by the front runners and again I spend most of the time on my bottom. When we got to the river on the way down it was so cooling I could’ve stayed there all day but alas we had to finish the race! Back to the field and just a short steep climb to the finish and everyone was clapping and cheering us. 1.9 miles clocked on my watch in approximately 42 minutes. My slowest race ever but I had done it!!! This may a bit of a negative review but on reflection I did enjoy it and felt a real sense of achievement at finishing. I don’t think I’ll be fell running again but glad I gave it a go and we had a lot of laughs both on the way up and down. I can’t finish without thanking Jo for sticking with me because if she hadn’t of done so I can guarantee that I would still be sitting at the top of that mountain waiting for someone to come and rescue me. Bobbie was back at Shutlingsloe in 2014 as part of the Staffordshire Moorland Summer Series... and conquered the mini-mountain all over again! On bank holiday Monday 26th August 2013 I ran the very first Rugeley Open Spaces Association 10K Race, which just so happened to be my very first track race. The race set off from Rugeley Leisure Centre along the heritage trail and makes its way onto Cannock chase. I set off at a comfortable pace and almost straight away found myself running on my own, with the back end of the leading pack about 200 meters in front and the trailing pack about the same distance behind me (a marshal even joked with me about it). The trail starts off on a tarmacked path which soon turns into a firm track which leads you alongside some fields and over a couple of small bridges, at one point I even noticed a small waterfall, things you just don't see on a road race. It was a nice flattish start and it soon became apparent that there were no distance markers, this threw me as I use them as psychological markers to help keep me going in the early stages.
The trail ends and you made your way across a road (which was marshalled very well) into Cannock chase, this is where my lack of off-road running kicked in. As I made my way through the forest, the path ways started to get more difficult to negotiate. They started to vary from firm trail to soft ground to pebbly paths, but I persevered and started to get to grips with it. I soon found myself running alongside the fishing lakes and I knew from looking at the race layout beforehand that I was almost half way around the course. This part of the race became very challenging, as I had lost site of the group in front and I became nervous about taking the wrong path (you sometimes hear stories of people doing this and running an extra 6 miles). As this part of the run is on one of the main routes around Cannock chase, it became difficult to see some if the route marks as they were placed on the trail route posts and there were families on bike rides and dog walkers standing around etc. I was happy to make my way around the lake to the left; I am familiar with this area so knew I was leaving the popular areas. This feeling was short lived as the marshal’s directed me up a hill. It was steep but nothing out over the ordinary for us, living in stoke. What made it changeling was the surface as it was covered in loose pebbles. They made it hard work and I only managed to run half way up before having to change to a power walk to reach the top, I felt disappointed with myself for giving up. But you sometimes have to think about what you’re doing and put your safety first, which is what I did as I almost went over on my ankle a couple of times. I decided it was more important to finish the race rather than running it continually and potentially putting myself out of action for a couple of weeks. At the top I kicked back in with the running. The next half a mile or so is the most undulating part of the course, but the views make it all worthwhile. Then the part I was dreading came, the quick decent back down towards the fishing lakes and my fears came true. Another loose pebbled path, I lost some time on this section as I started to slip and didn't have the confidence to go fast. I made it to the bottom and took a hard right and started my way back around the opposite side of the lake. Before I knew it I had ran over/through a steam and found myself back on the same path way I had come into Cannock Chase on. I was psychologically on the home straight. I found I spurt of energy from somewhere and started to overtake the people that had come past me on the uphill and downhill parts of the race. I felt great for a change, and could believe how quick I had made it back the road crossing that leads the heritage trail. After crossing the road you take a hard left to get back on to the trail, as I did, I almost had a collision with a man and his son on their bikes (this is definitely a place to slow down and pay attention). I was seeing red at this point, as I was hunting down a woman in front that I really wanted to catch up and beat! I got myself back into my stride and started the hunt down again. I managed to catch the woman around a km before the finish, but decided to stay just behind her and catch my breath in case she was saving anything for a sprint finish. I saw the finish line and went for it I, expecting the women to fight back but she had nothing left. I was over the moon even though I got more than a couple of dirty looks from the woman, I had also managed to get a PB. I really enjoyed the race and will definitely do it again next year if I'm free too. The course was missing a water station, but marshals did have emergency bottles of water on the route. We spoke to the organisers after the race and they are planning on adding a station around half way for next year. This was a very cheap run only costing £5 this year, and was definitely a fantastic way to spend a bank holiday morning. The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon began in 2008 as an annual fundraising initiative to not only raise sustainable funds to support London’s eight Royal Parks, but to also create an opportunity for charities of all sizes to benefit from a major charitable event. Entry is by ballot only so I considered myself very fortunate to win a place along with 15,999 other people to run through four of London’s magnificent Royal Parks and past many of the capital’s world famous landmarks. Myself, Paul and Megan travelled to London on Saturday morning by train. We arrived in Euston and then took a tube to our hotel in Waterloo which was situated a few hundred yards from the London Eye. We spent the afternoon walking along the Embankment and enjoying the entertainment provided by the street artists. In the evening we found a small Turkish restaurant which was very reasonable and the food was delicious. I was a little worried about trying something so different before a race but tried to put this to the back of my mind and enjoy the evening. The race starts in Hyde Park at 9am so it was an early start. We had to leave the hotel before breakfast had started so I had taken an instant porridge pot with me to set me up for the race. We left at 7.15am and went to Waterloo Station to catch the tube to Knightsbridge. Although it was still early the tube was already very busy with runners. We arrived at Knightsbridge then it was a short walk to the start area. I queued for the toilets and before I knew it, it was 8.40 and we were being called to the start line. I was in the green start which was the 2nd wave. There were a few celebrities doing the race, Sophie Raworth, Jenni Falcolner, Katherine Jenkins to name a few, and I heard them being introduced to the crowd. The race was started by 2 of the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing, Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe. The hooter went and we were off. The race starts on the road at the side of Hyde Park and heads off towards Green Park. Mile 1 takes you along Constitution Hill and before you know it you are running past Buckingham Palace. You then run alongside St James Park and up Birdcage Walk. I found this a little strange, as having done the London Marathon 3 times you always run down here. Running in the opposite direction felt very strange! Towards the end of Birdcage Walk, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben came into view. It’s quite surreal running past all these sights. We then turned onto the Embankment and ran past the London Eye until about the 3.5 mile mark. At this point you double back on yourself and run along the Embankment in the opposite direction. This is good as you get to see all the runners behind you. Also as this is a huge charity event there are loads of charity cheering points and the support is fabulous. It felt like running the marathon over again. After leaving the Embankment you head back towards St James’ Park and under Admiralty Arch and down the Mall. It took me a few minutes to work out where I was and I was wondering what the gold statue ahead of me was. It was then I realised I was back at Buckingham Palace. Just as I went past the Palace and back into the park I heard my name being shouted over and over. It was Paul and Meg. I was so surprised to see them and it really gave me a boost. The remaining 8 miles of the run was around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. It was a beautiful, very warm, autumnal morning and the spectators were out in force in the parks. The atmosphere was amazing. The last landmark at the 12.5 mile mark was the Royal Albert Hall. I knew I was nearly home now and thought I was looking good for a PB. A final push along the home straight and I crossed the finish line in 1.55.18. I was over the moon! My previous PB has been 1.56. When the race was over I queued for my goody bag and then went off to find Paul and Meg. We hung around the park for a couple of hours as there is a festival on which runs alongside the race. There is lots to do and with different foods stalls and activities going on and as the weather was so nice it was good to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. I really enjoyed this race. If you fancy a run in a capital city but feel that a marathon is that bit too far this is an ideal alternative. You get to see all the sights, get the fabulous support but can still walk after! |
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