Team Arlesey at the Standalone
10k. One woman’s story...
by Isla Dennis
An easy-going bike ride up through Fairfield Park, the gentle warmth of
the autumn sun, dappled through the trees, on my face as I make my way,
unflustered, to join the other 1134 runners in my first race...hang on...that’s
not right...that must be a dream. Well, the reality was somewhat different
when I drew back the curtains at 6:50am on Sunday 7th October I was met
with fog. First fog of the season – I hadn’t reckoned with that; no lights, you
see. The thing is, I haven’t done a run-only race before but I have done two
triathlons and my best running has always been just after I’ve got off my
bike. I suppose it gives my legs a warm-up and the adjustment in muscle
use from bike to run is easier to cope with than starting to run from nothing.
So bike it had to be, regardless of the no-lights-in-the-fog issue and it
might help me acclimatise to the temperature. I had my coffee and porridge,
packed my rucksack (running shoes – check, warm après-race clothes –
check, grit and determination – check) and set off. The entrants of this year’s
Standalone 10k were being ushered into parking and I was soon among a
happy throng of athletes.
It was a year ago that I had decided to enter the race, after seeing last
years’ runners go past at the roundabout and was struck by the wide range
of people and abilities taking part.
So there I was, freezing cold and illogically nervous, ready to give it a
go. I soon met up with several people I know. It was all very friendly and
well-organised by North Herts Road Runners (cue Looney Tunes sound
effect...) but this was their 25th shot at it so that was hardly surprising. The
Letchworth Tri-Sports marquee was doing good business and I was heartily
hailed by its occupants.
I’m number 64! We were called to the start line and I made my way
towards the rear section of runners – the hour or so bunch. It’s a tough
course with a hill at the start and then a few more to follow so I was
OldOak break the hour Ad 28/10/12
expecting toAd03:OldOak but only just. My best18:47 training was about
time in Page 1
58 minutes but that was way back in the spring, so I wasn’t sure I would
better that, but I was hoping that the sense of occasion would combine with
the fact that I had actually stuck to a semi-organised training plan for the
previous 6 weeks, which might even pay off!
The race was fantastic and I didn’t think I would enjoy it so much. Apart
from a short stretch after coming off the A507, I didn’t feel in much distress
in my legs, lungs or digestive system (always anxious about ‘doing a Paula
Radcliffe’). It’s a very buoyant feeling, running with a large crowd, and it
resulted in me beating my previous best time by over three and half minutes!
So afterwards, the trackkie bottoms are on, the bananas are eaten and
the results for TEAM ARLESEY are in. I have been able to track down 12
runners from Arlesey and their results are shown below in order of finish.
The age-grade percentage is a way to compare everyone on a levelish
playing field, taking into account age, sex and general infirmity! The 100%
aspirational person is a unisex Mo Farah and we’re all compared to that.
Congratulations to everyone who took part. Every runner is at a different
level of experience and so has their own story of personal achievement to
tell but maybe, if we all try to catch up with Alastair Ford when we see him
pounding our Arleseyan pavements, we might all be a little faster next year!
Position
79th
329th
475th
571st
572nd
701st
746th
849th
866th
922nd
1043rd
1106th
Name
Alastair Ford
Eddie Thorn
Patrick Lohan
Boris Peck
Ian Evans
Isla Dennis
Louise Liversidge
Adam Elgood
Jennifer Thorn
John Horner
Vicky Maria
Karen McCann
Sex
M
M
M
M
M
F
F
M
F
M
F
F
Category
Vet 40-49
Vet 40-49
Vet 40-49
Senior
Vet 50-59
Vet 35-44
Vet 35-44
Senior
Vet 35-44
Senior
Senior
Senior
Time
00:40:01
00:46:43
00:50:24
00:51:47
00:51:56
00:54:32
00:55:38
00:58:26
00:58:17
01:00:06
01:06:05
01:10:02
Age-grade
69.52%
59.81%
56.08%
54.35%
58.79%
57.56%
55.29%
45.38%
51.80%
43.80%
44.20%
41.66%
• What’s On – Novemb
er
Monday 5th Fireworks
!!! start 8:00pm
Saturday 10th Melvis at
9:00pm
Saturday 24th Abba Trib
ute at 9:00pm
85 Church Lane, Arlesey, Beds. SG15 6UX • Telephone: 01462 612536
web: www.oldoakarlesey.co.uk • email: [email protected]
6 |
November 2012
|
• Classic Greene King ales
• Large family garden
• Food
• Texas hold’em poker
thursday nights
• Sunday night Quiz plus
‘Play Your Cards Right’
• Weekly and sunday
food menus
• Large screen TV
for major events
• Old Oak golf society
• Pool & darts
to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk