The issue with coming into a brand new race, as within the first yr of a race is that not solely do you not know what to anticipate however neither does anybody else. The route, the ambiance, the sphere, the organisation… so many unknowns.
Richmond Working Competition was a kind of inaugural races, properly three truly, the Kew Gardens 10K, the Go to Richmond Half and a youngsters mile all going down on the identical day and culminating in a competition…feels like a grand concept hey?
My first intuition upon discovering out in regards to the competition was to enter the 10K, nonetheless the beginning for this race was 8.30 and seeing as I reside the exact opposite facet of London, I believed it barely implausible to get there on time so opted for the half as an alternative. It was nonetheless fairly a squeeze getting there on time what with tube closures and a somewhat lengthy stroll from the station to Kew Gardens (a world heritage web site) the place 2 of the three races began.
However I arrived with about 20 minutes to spare, simply sufficient time to select up my race quantity, drop of my bag and have a toilet cease…not unhealthy hey?
The sphere was small, I guessed at about 1500, however it was a bit smaller than that in truth and from what I might see about 70% of the sphere appeared like membership runners, males primarily however with a couple of spritely trying females too. I made my solution to the again of the beginning hubble and waited patiently for the beginning, which went off with little fanfare.
The primary mile was very fairly, by means of the grounds of Kew Gardens and it turned obvious very quickly that I used to be proper in the back of the pack. I wasn’t too positive how I felt about this at first, after which figured what the heck I’d merely run for so long as I might and simply see what occurred.
I wasn’t feeling in any respect assured when my alarm went off at 6am, my different half’s remark of “You severely gonna do it? You’re looped!” simply earlier than going to mattress didn’t assist a lot, nonetheless I believe on this event he had some extent. I did Run to the Beat solely 2 weeks in the past, hadn’t been for a run since, and have simply spent 5 days in Cornwall carting a heavy pushchair up cliffs, and throughout inaccessible seashores leading to a barely sore again. I used to be in no form to run one other half marathon, however I had dedicated to it.
The route was very good, the stewards very pleasant and environment friendly so what did I’ve to moan about? And I stored plodding on. By mile 5 I felt fairly satisfied with myself as I hadn’t stopped but, even within the trails alongside the river which had been secluded and ideal for a little bit of a stroll. By mile 8ish I used to be pondering that I’d even be capable to run the entire approach and was making affordable time too. My Garmin was set to KMs and my 10K time was 1.17 a median time for me. However by mile 9 I turned conscious of a blister on my foot and I had a man preserve overtaking me after which strolling which kinda distracted me a bit…till now I hadn’t truly seen any walkers, properly if fact be identified I hadn’t actually seen anybody participating within the race since about mile 2…and I began to stroll.
I picked it up once more and ran the previous few miles, however by this level my again was killing me too, I had capturing pains in my decrease again and my shoulder blades felt very odd, making me stoop over like a hunchback. I attempted a couple of stretches to loosen up however that didn’t actually work. However decided to get in underneath 3 hours I began working once more. However simply as I believed I used to be ending I ran underneath an underpath and into the park for the final half bof the route a few mile across the edges of the park with the working competition approach off within the distance. I suppose if there have been different runners preserving me firm and even some crowds cheering me on then I’d have run, however I had given up by now and walked as quick as I might. I ran the final 500 meters or so a bit downheartened by the very fact no person was even that bothered by my momental 3 hour 8 minute effort. I picked up my medal, vitality drink, tshirt and get this…a beer (nice concept) and sat on a bench for some time taking within the competition ambiance.
I stored a watch on the end line however didn’t see anybody else come throughout so I figured I used to be final and made my solution to the tube for the lengthy journey dwelling.
For a primary race I believe the Richmond Working Competition did a improbable job, there have been a couple of points at drink stations and with mile markers, however aside from that it was a pleasant, stressfree, lovely route of a race and one I’d defo do once more. I believe a variety of huge organizers might be taught lots from this one, and when it comes to the races goal to showcase the native space…wow…Richmond shouldn’t be solely a runners paradise, however an entire completely different world to my East London One…I noticed rowers on the thames, polo gamers at a polo membership, a rugby match, grazing cows and many very huge trendy vehicles.
This morning I really feel okay about the entire coming in very last thing, somebody has to and whether it is gonna take me over 3 hours to cowl that distance in a small subject like yesterdays then hey its prone to be me, however in truth after I appeared on the outcomes this morning I came upon I used to be second to final with one other phenomenal girl coming in at 3.23.23. Its all about perspective, did I come final…no, did that woman…properly no not likely, as a result of coming in after us had been those that didn’t make it to the beginning line this morning, those that considered doing it however chickened out, and naturally all these thousands and thousands of individuals (like my fiance) who suppose working 13.1 miles on a humid Sunday morning is a bit looped!!! Thoughts you he was very grateful for his can of London Delight which I introduced dwelling for him!!
