race reports.

Paris Marathon 11 April 2010 by Roz Fullylove - A really enjoyable, busy weekend which was helped along by the great weather.  Both myself and Shirley went to Paris with injuries having decided that times did not matter as long as we finished, and we both did, in my case only with the help of a fantastic french marshall who let me lean on her for the last 3 miles.  As well organised as the London Marathon, but I have to say not as much support along the way and none of the dressing up that you get in London but otherwise we both thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to do it again next year.  Anyone wish to join us??????

 

"Herbert's Hole Challenge" 10k, Chesham -  Sunday 15th November 2009  by Dora Slater

Amanda Lee and myself tackled this one in a record (slow) time of 1hr 11mins. The start is uphill through a park and the steepness of it had us walking after about 100yards (must do more hill work!) - most embarrassing so we were almost at the back from the very start. This race seems to attract "serious" types who enjoy splashing through mud. The leader came hurtling past us on his way back when we were about at the 4k mark, with a very determined look on is face, uttering tremendous groaning noises. Meanwhile Amanda and I were picking our way daintily around the muddy puddles. Then came an enormous hill (almost vertical) and several more ups and downs, more mud, puddles and sliding around, then through a field of horses that had earlier alarmed us by galloping around madly, but by the time we got there they had thankfully worn themselves out. We weren't quite sure what "Herbert's Hole" was ... but perhaps that's a good thing. Very hard, but enjoyable and your shoes will need a serious clean afterwards.

 

Ricky Road Run 9miles - 25th October 2009   Angela Cory and Kathy Scruton took part in the Ricky Road Run. It is an unusual race in that it is 9 miles - just a nice increase from a 6 miler, but not yet a half marathon.It has several hilly parts, but it is all ability and age, so no-one feels left behind. There is some public support, not great; but it is well organised with encouraging marshals.You don't get a medal for your pains, but you do get a mug, t-shirt (enormous as usual!!) and a banana!! What more can you want? Well a medal obviously!!The end is a long, steady downhill - you really feel that you are flying!! Wonderful!!

 

Great South Run 10 miles Portsmouth - 25th October 2009 - by Roz fullylove  Another run in the Bupa Great Run series and really well organised, far more than the GNR and a lot easier to get to and from.  Fantastic support the whole way round a really flat route, though it was very busy, in fact I came to a complete stop at mile 1 and 3 but only for a few seconds.  Lovely medal and t shirt and even though a bit pricey to do, I will do it again, in fact I enjoyed it so much as soon as I got home I registered for next year.  Does anyone want to join me? - you’ll enjoy it.  Its a good distance if you dont feel ready for a half marathon but want to go a bit further than a 10K

 

Hatfield House 10K - 18th October 2009 - by Amanda Lee Just to say that Carole and I completed Hatfield House 10k run today in 57mins 48 seconds.. both of us are very chuffed.. been trying for many years to do 10k in under an hour and we SMASHED it!!

 

Herts 10K - 11th October 2009 - by Amanda Lee Carol, Dora and myself managed to complete it in just over 63 minutes...Not our best time, but there were over 2,500 others to get round... it took us over 2 minutes to get over the start. The ground is also very uneven to start and we found that it was impossible to start off quickly but this added to the enjoyment of the run. There was a long, but not particularly steep hill from about 4k where we managed to start to overtake people - most notably someone dressed as the mascot of the saracens rugby club, he must have been very hot in his large camel outfit.

The route did include a housing estate but was mainly off road and one of the nicest things was that the finish was not visible until you turned a corner and you were already there!

 

Great Eastern ½ marathon - a well organised run which is well supported, and most importantly an almost flat route.  This year they reversed the route, and Kathy and I thought it was even better.  Next year they are holding the event on 10/10/10 starting the run at 10.10am.  Well done to Shirley who even though was a little disappointed with her time, she did run after a bad fall at work and was covered in bruises and not feeling herself at all.

 

Abbotts Langley Tough 10K - 4th October 2009 - by Roz Fullylove  It was lovely to see 4 of our new ladies taking part in their first 10k today, and it wasnt an easy 10k to choose.  Known for its hill at the end it certainly lives upto its name.  It was great to have support along the way from Julie and half way up that horrid hill, Steph.  It is good to support a local run and 1 which Im sure many of us will do again, well done to Amanda Lee, Carole Bartlett, Dora Slater, Kathy Scruton, Wendy Gallagher, Lynn Alpe Lesley Wilson, Linda Rubin, Roz Fullylove

 

Brighton 10K - 4th October 2009 - by Maria Byrne  Today we had a fabulour day as 5 running sisters went to Brighton to run along Hove seafront.  We had 2 virgin 10K runners, Tania and Kush (also Kush’s 1st trip to an English seaside).  Great weather conditions, fabulour views and best of all a totally flat run.  A lovely lunch followed at Al Fresco overlooking the sea and we felt duly rewarded.  A truly memorable day only achieved by a real team effort in organising.  Already planning our next day out, which of course will include a run!

 

Windsor 8k Womens Run - Saturday 26th September 2009 - by Lynne Saint  There were 7 of us running, including 2 of our new ladies, Wendy and Jaynne and then myself, Hilary, Barbara, Christine and Steph.  The route was a circular run around Windsor Great Park as part of the Windsor Running Festival - with a half marathon the next day.  It was a hot, sunny day with several slow hills and hard going.  However, all of us got round in times  of about an hour.

 

Windsor ½ Marathon - Sunday 27th September  A really warm day, and a much harder route than any of us were expecting.  It was only when we got home and looked on the website did we see that Windsor is known to be a hard route!!!  However it was a car free and a lovely route through Windsor Great Park and there was at least a nice medal and a small mars bar waiting you when you crossed the finish line.  Not one that any of us said we would run again though.  It took us over 1.5 hours just to get out of the car park.  Those who took part - Shirley Stirling, Kathy Scruton and Roz Fullylove