Liverpool Spring 10k and Spring Dash

We had the weekend off to a good start with the Dalton 10k, it got even better on the Saturday when Sam got a PB at last! 46.13, knocking a minute and a half of his best time from last August! Had a great smile on his face the whole way round too.

On Sunday we were up very early to get to Sefton Park in Liverpool for the Liverpool Spring 10k and their children's race, the Spring Dash. We got there shortly before the one way restrictions around the park were put in place so managed to hunt and find a parking space on the outer edge of the park just a short walk to the start/finish line. Unfortunately it had been raining heavily all morning and was raining when we arrived. We had put the boys in their wellies with the intention of going back for their trainers just before their run was due to start. So glad we did as there were a lot of puddles about!

We collected the boys running numbers (which incidently had their names on - a great added touch!) and had a wander about, including a go on the bouncy castle until pretty much the start time of the 10k! Luckily it had stopped raining by this point so I stripped off my jogging bottoms, hoodie and jacket ready to start.

I've never been in such a large race before. I headed to the red start as I'd put my 10k time at over an hour. The crowds were enormous but I managed to spot where Andy was waiting to watch us set off with the boys thanks to the giant helium balloons they'd gotten just before the start! I hurriedly handed him my cap which I'd changed my mind about wearing and waited. We eventually heard the countdown but it took me 2 minutes to reach the start. Not a worry though as it was chip timed and I set my garmin off just before going through the start.

Spot the Cheetah

We were all quite bunched up for a few minutes and I was trying to make my way around those going a bit slower than me. Eventually we started spreading out a little and I managed to get going with a good pace. Just before my garmin hit 5k was the water station, but I didn't stop as I wanted to try for a 5k PB. Didn't quite manage that but came very close!

My legs were feeling like lead weights after that point, but not too long afterwards I spotted a yellow balloon being bumped about and then spotted that it was attached to Sam's raincoat. Seeing them there was a real boost and I found myself speeding up again. The marshals were fantastic, and really encouraging but there's nothing like seeing your family to keep you going.

I rounded the second to last corner and the finish line became visible again and I spotted that yellow balloon again along the edge! I ran in as best as I could, although a sprint finish was a bit out of the question as my energy was just zapped.

Another bonus - free finish line photography! Thank you! (even if I look very worn out!)

Thrilled to have finished with a PB according to my garmin, I headed to the t-shirt funnels to collect my goody bag and t-shirt. It took what felt like an age to get through, but boy was it worth the wait. Fantastic tech t-shirt and gorgeous medal! I later discovered that my chip time for the run was 1.03.12, knocking 2 minutes off my previous 10k PB!

The children's race started after the main race had finished. William wanted to run it by himself which was fine by me. It was only on park paths and I was a little tired. Andy ran with Sam. They set off down the path to a loop in the path and then headed back again.

William didn't stop the whole way and Sam did his parkrun speed which still got him back in within 12 minutes. Very proud of them both. It was whilst waiting for them that the other WWC found me and helped cheer the boys in. The boys both received an excellent medal and the same goody bag as the 10k runners.

Seeing as the sun had come out, we all enjoyed a picnic packed lunch before heading home. Andy and I both agreed it was a very well organised event with a great atmosphere. I hope we'll be coming back again next year.

Port Sunlight 5k, 10k and 1k Fun Run

We were up before the crack of dawn yesterday to make our way down to Port Sunlight Village for the BTR Liverpool Port Sunlight 5k, 10k and 1k races. We made excellent time getting down there, a little too excellent in fact as we were there by 8.30am (and that was with getting lost once!). The sun was shining but it was a breezy and brisk walk to the centre of Port Sunlight where the action would start a bit later. We registered the boys for the children's 1k race at the school and then made our way to the t-shirt tent where we collected our tech t-shirts and goody bags!

The 5k was the first race, setting off at 10am. I headed to the start with my friend who was taking part in her first 5k race. I was frozen in the starting line, having decided on a short sleeve tee and vest combo  like a fool. Bitterly regretting my lack of sleeves, we set off...sort of. Took about 30 seconds to cross the start line and I could hear the beep signalling the timing chips activating. This was the first time I'd ever taken part in a chip-timed race. I tried to run as hard as I had done at parkrun the previous week, and was hoping I'd finish somewhere around the same time of 32 minutes or faster if possible. The sun was out and the village was lovely, lots of spectators clapping and cheering. I saw Andy, the boys and our friends part way round the course and gained some good advice from William who was screaming 'keep running mummy' over and over again.

 I knew I had finished in under 32 minutes which was what I had wanted, but was thrilled when I received the chip timed results via text message later in the day and found I had a new PB of 30.55! And a brilliant new medal for the collection.

We had a quick change over and recycling of safety pins from myself to Andy as he put his number on, then he headed to the start for 11am to run the 10k. We watched the 10k runners set off, and it seemed to take ages for Andy to come through, but then again there were over 1000 people taking part! We got ice creams for the children then walked a little ways to find a good spot to watch from.

 The 10k runners completed two loops of the 5k course. Andy was still looking quite fresh and smiley when at about 8km he threw over his sweaty gloves for us to hold for him. Sam was quite easy to please for this race as well, as there were plenty of runners to see and flap at in all directions. We couldn't get a decent spot to clap at the finish line due to the sheer number of spectators already lining the finishing funnel, but Andy managed to get across the line in a time of 53.26, a new 10k PB for him!

The children's 1k fun run was the last race of the day. Andy was running with Sam and William ran with my friend and her son, who he adores. I was on cheering and photo taking duties. There was a bit of a confusing false start and then a slight delay and cheer as the last of the 10k runners came through. Then they were off though. I have never seen so many children running so fast! It took no time at all for the first of the runners to come back to the finish. The boys got across the finish line then headed round to collect their medals and goody bags filled with sweet treats! Sam had a bit of a cuddle with the mascot there as well, he probably couldn't resist!

After the day's running, we headed to our friend's house for a delicious lunch before the long drive back up north. All in all, a very long but brilliant day out for all of us.

Windmill 10k

On Remembrance Sunday we ventured out to Lytham St. Annes so that I could run the Windmill 10k, organised by Fylde Coast Running. We arrived in Lytham at about 9.30am and headed towards the iconic Windmill landmark where race HQ was set up. After picking up my running number there was plenty of time for some pics with the Windmill and to spot the other Wind Cheetahs who were also turning up to take part. It was a lovely sunny morning, although very cold! I kept my jogging bottoms on over my shorts and my hoody on till it was time to head over to the start.

We were all called to the starting funnel at about 10.45am where we listened to the reading of a poem, 'Why do I wear a Poppy?', followed by the customary 2 minutes silence at 11am. Once the bugler had finished we all set off. It was a very fast start with everyone bunched up quite close together. I knew Andy would be waiting with the boys on Lytham Green for me to pass so I made my way carefully over to the right hand side of the path, ready to wave and be waved at! He spotted me just in time for a photo! 

I managed to keep up with the majority of runners until we got to Fairhaven Lake, near the halfway mark. Here, the runners seemed to spread out a bit more. I had a real boost though as the path looped back on itself for a tiny distance and I spotted two fellow Wind Cheetahs ahead of me. They gave me a wave and cheer and I didn't feel too far behind at that point. Once we'd gone round the lake, we headed back towards the Windmill via the prom. I really enjoy running by the sea, it's hard work and yet relaxing at the same time! 

I still don't know how I did it but I managed to get back to the Windmill at more or less the same pace I'd gone out at. The only mentally torturous bit of the race was running past and in full view of the finish line at the 9km marker, knowing I had to run .5k out then loop back again to the finish! But I did it. I was cheered in by Andy, the boys and the WWC and set myself a new 10k PB in the process.... 1.05.04... far better than I had ever expected! 

This was a very well organised event and the medal is probably the loveliest one in my collection. The marshals were friendly and encouraging. The only downside was that my finishers Wagon Wheel was snatched away and devoured by my sneaky, chocoholic sons before I could get my breath back! Must remember to hide it next time!