Leeds Jane Tomlinson 10K. 19/06/11

Lovely weather (for ducks!)
Shivering Sal, Paul & Myra

As you can see, it was a miserable day in Leeds and we were all soaked before we ran a step.  I did think that Paul and Angela (both Leeds dwellers) were being overly dramatic about the rain when I looked out of the window to see a gloomy, but only mildly-damp Batley on Sunday morning, but it seems that the downpour was localised over the event!
My preparation for this race was truly dreadful; one way or another I excersised every day last week (twice on Weds & Thurs if you count Kettlebells and Netball!) so I was already a bit stiff and sore, and then had a tough early Netball match on Saturday morning followed by a late night!  Ah well, there is a life outside running, even for one as obsessed as me. 

Despite the rain, I have never seen so many people in Leeds before - both spectators and runners - and it did little to dampen anyone's spirits.  Team Woods was much enlarged, with the "hardcore members" of me, Lucy and the great team namesake himself; plus first time 10K runners Stacey, Jason, Dave, Angela and Myra; so Graham's "Support Crew" duties were hectic!  Just trying to get all of us into one photo was like trying to herd cats, and, as normal, we had to have many photos! 
Once all of the wet coats, brollies and other personal effects was deposited into Graham's trusty Tesco bag, we waved him goodbye and fought our way to our respective start areas (Paul & Lucy - Green - superstars, the rest of us - Red - mere mortals). 

In no time at all, a huge cheer went up and we were off, and us "mere mortals" started walking towards the start line.  As we crossed it, we were still walking which was very frustrating, because every other 10K I've ever done has miraculously cleared at the start and I have been able get into my stride straight away; albeit with sometimes having to weave in and out of slower runners.  We did start running soon afterwards, but for the first 4km, every time we came to a narrow bit of road or a bend, we all slowed down again, and I was really struggling with my breathing.  We were also up and down quite a few pavements, and the roads were slippery, which made for more looking down than normal. 

When I was eventually able to settle into my pace and concentrate on my running, I knew that a personal best was out of the window - but luckilly Paul had warned me that the combination of busyness, and the hilliness of the course wouldn't contribute to a PB anyway.  A glance at my new, high-vis GPS watch (yeah another "must have" gadget!) told me that if I tried hard, I could manage the race in under an hour, so I gritted my teeth and setled in for that.

There were loads of spectators around the course, and they were all shouting encouragement, and I also came across lots of people I knew running, so the time just flew and very soon I found myself very near the finish.  My geography of Leeds is so poor, that I didn't actually know where I was at any time once the Town Hall faded from view, so the "400m" sign was a welcome sight and I started sprinting.  I saw Paul and Graham cheering me on, and crossed the line in 59:30.  I was pleased with that!  I had enjoyed the course, with the up-hills just gentle and long enough to be comfortable and the down-hills long and flat enough to give some recovery.  The runners in fancy dress had provided some entertainment, and I'm ashamed to say that I was beaten by a pink Clanger (but Paul was overtaken by Scooby Doo so that puts it a little into perspective!).
After the finish, we were corralled into a collecting area to be issued with drinks & tshirts, and Team Woods re-convened opposite the Town Hall for more photos and a debrief.  Everyone had done so well, because I think that, especially for a first race, it was really hard!  Paul did a fantastc 49 minute "sprint" again, Speedy Jason ("it'll take me at least 1:10") was under 53 minutes, and Dave and the girls came in just over the hour. 
Excellent organisation ensured that everything went smoothly, and a good morning out was had by all.
I am very much looking forward to running with my new team-mates again soon!

 

The victorious finishers! 
Sal, Jason, Dave, Myra, Paul, Stacey and Angela