Alsager 5

Alsager 5

The morning didn’t start well as I underestimated the time it took to get ready and ended up being late for picking up Anne and Kath.  Then on top of everything else I found, as I was getting in the car, that I had forgotten to prepare the bib and pinning it on my vest.  Fortunately I knew exactly where it was so just grabbed it and off we went.

We still got to the venue in plenty of time to get our stuff, pin on my bib and even to have a cup of coffee before the start.  It was quite noticeable that people must have been missing the races during December and January as there was a really good turnout.  As usual, Anne got regularly stopped by other runners that knew her.

There was a bit of a walk to the start but as it was drizzling and it looked like my phone was about to get wet, I started Endomondo a little early so that I didn’t have to get it out again.  The marshals were putting out drinks on a table on the way and I asked if I could have one as I had been careful with the drinking and felt a little thirsty.  The cup I grabbed contained a very pale yellow liquid which I believed to be lemon, grapefruit or pineapple so I drank it in one sweep.  To my horror it was actually artificial orange; just the kind of stuff that I not only hate but am also intolerant to.  I just had to hope that it was weak enough to not have an immediate effect on me.

All three of us went and stood at just past half-way of the crowd with some of the other Trotters.  I was getting used to the idea that all races seem to take off at walking pace and this one was no exception but it didn’t take long before we were running.

The group of Trotters started to dispend almost straight away and soon it was just me and Kath running together as even Anne seemed to have vanished somewhere.  We stuck together for most of the race.  After 3 miles I started feeling a funny tingling in my limbs and worried it was something to do with the orange.  I speeded up to take my mind of it and also to get back quicker.

It really was a lovely run, very flat and fast.  I was amazed how well supported it was and that people in the houses around the route were willing to come out and stand in the rain to cheer us on. All the enthusiasms from the supporters just made you want go even faster.  I was really beginning to regret leaving my jacket on under the running vest as the faster I was running, the hotter I was getting.

As the finish approached I was running flat out, even extending my steps to full length which is something I normally avoid doing due to the wear it has on the joints.  It is, however, my natural running style so it felt liberating to do it for a short sprint.

My last 5 mile race was the Strawberry 5 back in May, which I did in 56.55 minutes so my aim was to finish this one before that time and was pleased with my 50.16 result. Kath was just a second or so behind me and Anne came in shortly after.  Kath and I both agreed that it was one of the best (as in most enjoyable) races we’ve done so far.