Sunday 3rd February was my first race of 2013, the Alsager 5, and it was a grey and rainy start to the morning. The main dilemma pre-race was how many layers of clothes were required... should I keep my rain jacket or just get a bit damp but not get too warm. In the end I think I got it right - no jacket, short sleeve t-shirt and Potters Trotters vest, my new nike running skapris with hat and gloves! I even wearing Brooks trainers... matching the main sponsors of the race. It's all about the look!
It was the expected scrum at the start with almost 800 runners in a relatively narrow street but after a couple of hundred metres, everything settled down and it was easy enough to get up to my planned running pace. My aims for the race were to run as hard as I could and try to get close to 42 minutes. I was hoping to run at an even pace, not too fast at the start, and then have enough strength of mind and body to sustain my speed over the full five miles.
I started out well - I focused on different runners up ahead and tried to keep pace with someone who was running at roughly the pace I wanted. If they slowed down, I overtook and then focused on someone else. Check out this video clip from Mile 1 - you can spot me (pink vest, pink hat) at about 3:36.
As it turned out, my strategy worked pretty well until about 4.5 miles. With just half a mile to the finish, I felt the burn... I was trying hard to maintain my pace but felt myself slowing. I pushed on as hard as I could and was soon closing in on the finish - which happened to be quite a narrow lane with speed bumps and significant potholes all the way along it. I knew my last half mile had been slower but I still sprinted for the line with the little bit of energy I had left, cheered on by Bryn (who'd already finished the race), Julie and Millie Holmes.
This was also my first race as a member of the North Staffs Road Runners Association. For some reason, this makes me feel slightly more like a proper grown-up runner although its also a little bit intimidating... I've been allocated to Group W and so this is the focus of my competition. For each NSRRA event, you have to wear your group identifier on your back as you run. It is a little bit like a target... if you spot someone in your group up ahead, overtaking them in the sprint finish will mean an extra point in that race. But if someone spots you as they are finishing fast... that could be a point lost.
At the start, I spotted a few Ws and managed to overtake a couple in the first mile. However, after that I didn't spot many more letters at all. I just focused on my running. At the finish, I couldn't see any Ws to aim for just up ahead but then was pipped at the line by another runner. Was she a W? Was that a point lost? I have no idea - I was too busy trying not to be sick. It had been a full-on effort from me, especially the final 5 minutes when I felt drained but kept going anyway.
So how did I do? Well, my chip time was recorded as 40:24, so I averaged 8:04.8 per mile (for precision). I finished 20th out of 52 in my age/gender category and 95th out of 280 ladies overall. I don't know about my NSRRA result yet but I'd definitely say me experience of the Alsager 5 would fit the "Run Happy" campaign from the sponsors.
However, as with other races I've competed, I also enjoyed seeing and hearing about the achievements of friends and team mates as much as being pleased with my own effort. Today was a day for the pink ladies of Potters Trotters - there were 15 ladies from the club covering most of the different age groups taking part in the race and Sue involved in stewarding the event. All of those who took part achieved something special - every one has a different reason for running and taking part in a race like the Alsager 5. It is just great to see the sense of achievement as each lady crosses the finishing line. There may not have been smiles from everyone whilst they were running, but there were plenty of happy faces once the race was complete. Well done to all: Liz, Michelle, Lee, Claire, Sally, Kathleen, Alison, Dawn, Anne, Janet, Sarah, Justine, Rose and Veronica. The pink ladies are pretty amazing.
Happy Running
Liz T
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| Pink Vest, Pink Hat! |
I started out well - I focused on different runners up ahead and tried to keep pace with someone who was running at roughly the pace I wanted. If they slowed down, I overtook and then focused on someone else. Check out this video clip from Mile 1 - you can spot me (pink vest, pink hat) at about 3:36.
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| Concentration! |
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| 4.5miles - hurting now |
At the start, I spotted a few Ws and managed to overtake a couple in the first mile. However, after that I didn't spot many more letters at all. I just focused on my running. At the finish, I couldn't see any Ws to aim for just up ahead but then was pipped at the line by another runner. Was she a W? Was that a point lost? I have no idea - I was too busy trying not to be sick. It had been a full-on effort from me, especially the final 5 minutes when I felt drained but kept going anyway.
So how did I do? Well, my chip time was recorded as 40:24, so I averaged 8:04.8 per mile (for precision). I finished 20th out of 52 in my age/gender category and 95th out of 280 ladies overall. I don't know about my NSRRA result yet but I'd definitely say me experience of the Alsager 5 would fit the "Run Happy" campaign from the sponsors.
However, as with other races I've competed, I also enjoyed seeing and hearing about the achievements of friends and team mates as much as being pleased with my own effort. Today was a day for the pink ladies of Potters Trotters - there were 15 ladies from the club covering most of the different age groups taking part in the race and Sue involved in stewarding the event. All of those who took part achieved something special - every one has a different reason for running and taking part in a race like the Alsager 5. It is just great to see the sense of achievement as each lady crosses the finishing line. There may not have been smiles from everyone whilst they were running, but there were plenty of happy faces once the race was complete. Well done to all: Liz, Michelle, Lee, Claire, Sally, Kathleen, Alison, Dawn, Anne, Janet, Sarah, Justine, Rose and Veronica. The pink ladies are pretty amazing.
Happy Running
Liz T
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