To date, I think my race reports could all be
subtitled "Confessions of a Virgin
---(insert appropriate distance) Runner" as I feel as if I have been on
a steep learning curve in the past month. Since beginning my competitive career
1 month ago, I have managed to do
the Cholmondeley 10k, one Hanley Park run,
the Chester Spring 5 and now the Sandstone Trail. Each foray out has brought
its own lesson – sometimes trivial but always pertinent.
For instance, at
Chester I wasted about 30 seconds doing up my laces about 5 minutes into the
race - This Sunday was no exception!
After a false start and a return home to get my Garmin (no
kit checklist – lesson one of the day) I arrived at Beeston Market car park
1 hour in advance to find – nothing!
The place was deserted. 2 minutes later about 3 cars full of
South Cheshire Harriers pulled up and after we had all stood around scratching
our heads in true Homer Simpson style “Doh”, one bright spark sprinted to the
top of the grass bank to the side of the car park and note that the race was
actually 2 fields further down the A49! A few more signs from the Beeston
railway bridge would not have gone amiss.
I registered and donned the green NSPCC vest provided and
warmed up, spotting Heather arriving but no other familiar faces. I realised
that I had left my midrace sustenance (M
& S jellybabies) on the kitchen surface (checklist again)
The race set off in a field behind Beeston Market and
quickly exited onto the local lanes, rising steadily but not too steeply at
that stage. After skirting Beeston Castle, we then peeled off the lanes and set
off up a narrow bridleway and onto the Sandstone trail proper, climbing all the
time. By this point, I had discovered that I had not switched my Garmin on
properly and it was enjoying a nice day off, save for telling me the time.
The midsection of the race consisted of a lengthy steep trip
along the trail, getting progressively steeper and harder, passing through a
wooded area before dropping down towards the farm land below. I was relieved to
look ahead and see people walking to conserve energy.
The trail across the farmland included a number of stiles to
negotiate and a descent down a cobbled lane. We ran across a couple of fields
of ridge and furrow although mercifully there was a flattened path to follow
which made life easier.
By this stage the route had dropped down considerably and we
finished with a sprint across the field where we had started. The countryside
was beautiful and the weather, although chilly to start, was bright and sunny.
The run was well supported. I had gone on my own but, I was cheered over the
finish by my number, which was very morale boosting.
I then discovered that I should have worn my chip on my
ankle not my wrist after an official sprinted up to me to point this out but
said that I would be clocked in anyway. At time of typing I have not had my
official time yet.
All in all, it was a lovely race, a good experience and both
the field and organisers were very friendly.
For more information, visit the website.
Kay
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