Town Moor 10K

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Kerry Lister

After a last minute shift change at work I found myself at a loose end on Sunday so signed up for the Town Moor 10K.

By the magic of Facebook I cadged a lift with the infamous George Nicholson and along with Karin Younger we arrived nice and early at the RGS in Newcastle to pick up our numbers and timing chips. The chips were different to any we’d used before and even though ‘the oldies’ didn’t bring their specs to read the instructions we muddled through. It was freezing outside, slippy and frosty underfoot and not much warmer inside the school hall. We all wished there was a cafe for a hot coffee before the start.

Other Striders were, of course, in attendance, including Kathleen Bellamy running her first 10K. Pre-race photos were taken with the seafRUNt smilers by Paul Mustard who hung around the course to capture the occasion:

Keen as Mustard, this photographer ...

Moving on the start line Karin, John and I had a little warm up jog, eyeing up the burger van on the way. At 11am we had a 2 minute silence to remember the sacrifice that has been made by so many brave men and women. Then the gun went and we were off!

Settling into my usual pace I enjoyed the 2 laps of the flatter than I’m used to course. However, there was a freezing wind blowing right in my face on the inclines which made it a bit more challenging. It wasn’t long before Kathleen Bellamy and Gareth Pritchard went past me and Karin Younger was always in my sights with her flowing pre-raphaelite locks like a shining beacon in front of me. I didn’t see any other Striders on the course.

Aiming for a sub 60 minute finish time I ploughed on enjoying the sunshine and cheering encouragements from the marshalls and other innocent bystanders.

Coming up to the finish line I caught sight of Mr Mustard with his camera and managed to get a decent photo taken where I look like I’m enjoying myself as much as I am rather than my usual agonised ‘race face’:

Whoop!

George Nick was there cheering me over the finish line to a PB by 5 min 50 seconds – a massive achievement but still 36 seconds over my sub 60 goal.

Hugs and congrats were exchanged with the other Striders then it was off to the aforementioned burger van for a well deserved reward. We didn’t get any other awards, no medal, no goody bag, no prizes. But still for £7 entry it was a well organised, well supported race and I WILL get my sub 60 10k – next time.

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