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claire1
487 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 2:22:27 PM
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What a difference a day makes…. 
Well actually 4 weeks really…since my torrid tearful Half at Vyrnwy.
After I had had such a miserable time there I decided I would relax and enjoy GER …yes a PB would be good but more importantly I needed to enjoy racing again and not spend miles telling myself I would never run again!
I set off from Newcastle Saturday mid day and arrived in P’boro by 2.06; thanks to an efficient national express rail service and having treated myself to First Class it was all very relaxing indeed!
By bedtime I had met several of Michael’s family, relaxed and eaten well and then slept soundly….for once not running the race several times in my sleep!
Coffee and breakfast by 8 and we relaxed and mooched about knowing we were only 10 minutes from the start … no worries about a travel hold ups or parking for us!
We wandered down and after a call from Dips did our best to delay the race start for Mark ….to no avail! 
We met up with some old friends at the loos then headed for the start looking out for our Uknet pals as we went.
We bumped into Dick and Dom at the start…sorry boys it came to mind immediately! They where looking cool and relaxed and we headed a bit further up through the pack when we came across Colin looking calm and clearly not as stressed as he had been at RNR! I was jealous of the cool shades he had …having left mine with Michaels sisters given that Mr Wilcocks failed to arrive in time to carry them!
Suddenly it was time for the off… we all wished each other well as the gun sounded and I saw Colin lope off ahead. I made Michael promise to look for me at mile 5…I had had such a miserable time in Vyrnwy I decided it this was a repeat that I would wait at mile 5 and we could run together as I knew at the moment I would get to that point ahead of him.
I was determined not to overcook the first mile and I didn’t …. Right from the start I felt strong and was holding back for the first 6 miles… I was feeling positive and kept telling myself to relax and enjoy the day.
Completely forgot about the mile 5 meeting arrangement!
I was feeling brilliant and at half way was ahead of target…...but as the sun got hotter it became a little tougher and I was digging into my reserves now, especially as the wind picked up. Despite agreeing with myself this was about enjoying I knew I wanted that PB which had seemed so tangible at halfway.
As my splits began to drift a little I felt a plethora of emotions….. and tried to gee myself up “come on…dig in…this is your race…this is your race” I told myself. I reminded myself I was well prepared, rested …had run a marathon…this couldn’t hurt! 
The mind plays strange tricks… I was convinced my splits had dropped off from 6 and all hope of a Pb gone.
I was determined not to have a carp run and knew I would still beat my Vyrnwy 1.48 time unless the wheels fell off big time so settled into “do the best you can today…do the best you can today…do the best you can today” I had to fight the voice on my shoulder telling me to slow down and just relax and I dug in again..it was hurting now.
Suddenly I spotted a familiar vest ahead…. I may have slowed him down as in my mind I attached a rope to his waist and got him to pull me along a while…gradually getting nearer and nearer to him…exactly on mile 11 I drew alongside Colin…”hello sir” …” hello …I’m slowing” he replied…. I was hoping he would continue to pull me along but I realised I had a little more in me than I thought and I slowly moved ahead…asking him to pretend to be Mark on his bike and keep me going…he tried but he lacked the same vocal volume and soon I was out of earshot.
I hated the last 2 miles… feeling so near yet so far away from the finish and a PB…. I really dug in. I kept going; kept going….my heart was pounding and my legs screaming to stop.
Suddenly it seemed it was done…we turned onto the grass and I could see the clock…I *knew* I was just outside my time ….. suddenly Colin reappeared “come on… we can do it” he shouted. I was so relieved to see a friendly face I could have wept. From god knows where but with the support of my club mate I found something else in the tank…we sprinted side by side to towards the line, racing each other and I hope helping each other.
Certainly it helped me.
He moved inexorably away from me as the line neared ….. I was done… he moved ahead and I couldn’t go with him….
Then as I heard the commentator call out my name ten yards from the line I started to heave… valiantly trying to keep my insides inside …I jammed my hand over my mouth and stumbled over the line…. Retching….. 
Colin had waited for me …and gallantly rested his hand on my back as I retched and retched…. 
Water was found… my face and shoes cleaned, my clubby checked me for unladylike vomit stains and we went to get our medals… 
The nausea passed as quickly as it arrived but my shiny new PB...by 35 seconds is mine to keep….until the next time! 
Thank you Mr Hewes … you are a gent and a friend. A good few of the 35 seconds are due to you….pulling me along in mile 10, letting me go in mile 11 and pushing me along at 13.1
The end was great …we got our t shirts and goodie bags, exchanged race and training tales, found a banana each, Colin tried to get two goodie bags having failed to notice the first one being placed in his hand!
We heard our club name being shouted over the tannoy and we roared our support. We quickly met up with Dick and Dom…or is it Ant and Dec….then Mike …we all seemed to have been pleased with the days events.
All too soon it was over…in the absence of proper meeting arrangements we made our way back to our lovely accommodation and generous hostess , who was waiting at the finish with milk shakes!
Showered and refreshed we went back to the river for a few sherbets’.
I had a fabulous time….will definitely be back to do this next year and….. I LOVE THIS CLUB!!!!!
The stop watch and the garmin are a better reflection of my splits than my mind was at the time …
7.58, 7.48, 7.48, 7.52, 7.53, 7.59, 7.57, 7.53, 8.12, 8.15, 8.26, 8.02, 7.55………..1.44.29
I sometimes think my running is not progressing but thats nearly 6 minutes faster than my PB was this time last year!
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Edited by - claire1 on 12 Oct 2009 2:30:16 PM |
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mdunn77
1540 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 2:40:07 PM
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well done Claire - great to hear that you enjoyed this one more and a new PB too! Amazing though that you managed to write a report and only mention the toilet once  |
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domstevens
579 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 2:45:34 PM
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Well done on the PB Great to meet you yesterday.
Dom, Ant, Dec what ever my name is having a bit of an identity crisis now
Our Greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall - Confucius |
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JonHullis
66 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 3:06:21 PM
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Well done Claire - a thoroughly deserved PB.
Really sorry that I didn't get there in time to meet up, and then I had to dash off for family commitments afterwards. At least I got there before the race started!
I agree that it was a very enjoyable race and well worth the journey. |
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lincsfella
1208 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 3:06:56 PM
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Oh Claire x do you do anything th easy way lol. Fantastic stuff, and great digging in when ya had too. Missed all of you this year..... back next time
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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fishyweb
2310 Posts |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 3:32:27 PM
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| great running Claire, well done. Nice to avenge Vyrnwy |
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Heavyweight
1450 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 3:48:55 PM
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| Nice one Claire & well done to Colin too. I think there's a few more minutes to come off that time too - you've still got Mikes PB to chase! |
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Dips
4076 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 4:03:47 PM
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Oh lord...I'm exhausted!
Well done you mad mad woman
Dips x
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis
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Wicked D
2207 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 4:25:21 PM
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massive well done, your a star as is colin, really missed meeting up with fellow clubbies this year but glad we where there as one :)
good on ya
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
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deano
818 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 5:20:12 PM
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Great run claire, i have forgot what my name is now...ha..ha..
Great PB...
It's a great club with great support...
Deano.... Always enjoy your running. |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 5:43:15 PM
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Thanks everyone for your lovely comments
Ha ha Dick and Dom... with only one half of the Chuckle Brothers able to make it this weekend you were the comedy duo for the club!
Lol Matt....'twas all t'other end!
Lincs...really sorry you didn't make it....we missed you!
Jon... sorry not to see you either....I looked in vain for your lovely Dad too
Steve... i was rocking later for sure and all day today...chuffed to bits I am!
Stephen...thanks... yes it is ... and also wishing I could have done those splits at RNR...we may have won the nearest estimate prize!
David... I am after that PB of his for sure...but once he gets back into training I fear I wont see him for dust!
Wicked... sorry we missed you.... looking forward to your race report!
Dips ...you make me laugh out loud ! Takes one to know one!
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Edited by - claire1 on 12 Oct 2009 5:44:19 PM |
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Mij0
848 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 5:46:46 PM
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Back in Swansea - legs stiff from driving - well done but as above - definitely some more minutes to come off next year ..... now where's my whip
Fat again :-( |
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 5:51:18 PM
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great report as always.......Colin said you had a little battle and gee and it worked well for you both......it was chaotic after, last year t'was easy to find peeps......this year....crazy!!! bet next year is worseter...*janner speak*
well done on all counts,thanks for letting them know we were all late!!!!! i told them on the train that our likkle Claire was on the case and they won't argue with you!!!
mind strange old race.....didnt hear you talking once!!!!
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
Edited by - MarkWillcocks on 12 Oct 2009 5:52:30 PM |
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LittleBigMan
1064 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 6:04:38 PM
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Great report and congrats on what is a thoroughly well deserved PB Claire! Well done!
Fantastic!
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"The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare." |
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colinhewes
182 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 10:18:38 PM
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Wow Claire, that was some finish. I was completely exhausted after that. I'm so glad I was able to help you with your pb. Big congrats for that. Hope you're feeling better now.
I would like to thank you for giving me a great boost in those last 2 miles. If you hadn't shot past me at that point my race would have just petered out into another mediocre finish. It was just the kick up the backside I needed. I was buzzing all afternoon after that and immediately put my name down for Worksop HM in 2 weeks time.
I can't understand why your name got called out instead of mine though.
Can't wait for the next encounter.
Colin Hewes
Stage 4&5 vet. |
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What a difference a day makes .....my GER outing!
