Race Review - Queens Head 5km - 27th December 2013

Result: 35/121 - 21m03s

I love it when I can run from my front door to the start line in less than 10 minutes. I was up, fed and watered and in the pub by 11:30am, registering for a local 5km race. I have ran this race 2 or 3 times before, I know the course and know that it attracts some very good runners. Once I was registered i headed outside to warm up and see if I could see any Team Derby Runners or familiar faces. Always seems odd leaving a pub without having a beer.

Seeing as 2013 is the year of the selfie and I needed a photo for the blog, I killed some time and nerves with a manly pose, and then spotted a mate from TDR and we had a chat, and then my Sister turned up too which was a great surprise. As we mustered for the start the air horn went and we were off and running. I had started a few rows back and spent the first couple of minutes threading through runners before settling to a comfortable pace and rhythm. As we started the first downhill section at roughly 1km, the neighboring field of shaggy haired ponies gathering into a group and ran alongside the runners around me. It was an amazing sound and sight as they galloped alongside us and easily sped past. The euphoria of running with horses soon ended as the field ended along with the downhill section, it was now back to running uphill. As I hit the mid point I felt I was running well and keeping pace with those around me, until a guy dressed as robin came past me. I pushed hard to keep up but he slowly pulled away. There were a few more mini battles for position on the final uphill, and as we reached the top of the hill i knew it was downhill all the way and picked up the pace, with Robin firmly in my sights. I tried to encourage a couple of runners to join my mission to overtake batman's right hand man, but they were sticking to their pace. I pushed and breathed hard opening up my legs and arms, taking bigger and longer strides. I wasn't quite the caped crusader and crossed the line a second behind the man in tights.

I great race and a great way to burn off some of the Christmas excess

http://runningwithdavid.com/

Race Review - Jingle Jog - 8th December 2013

With the other half currently board out of her skull in hospital awaiting our first baby together, we have both used been impressed with the quality of the facilities and the staff. This has all been free of charge due to the NHS system, but they can always with more help. And when I saw a poster for the Jingle Jog in the lift, it combines Fancy Dress, Running and raising money for a great hospital. So I signed up as soon as I got home.

On the morning of the race I got ready and headed out with the dog and the step kids, and once on site I got myself ticked off the list and was handed my Santa suit. For a free Santa suit it was pretty good and the boys thought I looked suitably daft. I didn't bother with the fake beard that was included with the costumer but just added face paint to my own beard to whiten it up. I watched the warm up, as I can be a grumpy bugger, especially when it comes to mass participation and aerobics. But it was amazing to see a vast sea of red and white Santas high kicking and arm waving. We then watched the Kids' half mile race which was great fun.

It was soon time to start mustering at the starting line, I was a bit slow off the mark and ended up right in the middle of the gathering Santas. The countdown started and when the air horn went off it was a fairly slow start. I know this was only a fun run but my competitiveness kicked in and I started to go wide to get round people and sprinted past large groups to get clear of the cornucopia of red felt and white fun fur. I was then out in the open with only half a dozen or so running Santas ahead of me. The leading lady and man were setting a cracking pace, and I knew they were leagues above me so I settled in and tried to work on the runners that were slight nearer. I picked off one or two, on the first lap and when we came round to the start finish area for the second lap I was told I was sitting in seventh place.

About half way into the 2nd lap i caught up with the walkers, buggies, wheelchairs and prams who were amazing and cheered on every runner that past them and waved at every passing car persuading them to beep their horns. This was an amazing festival of Christmas cheer that just happened to be disguised as a 5 km run. I also passed the inspiring team that were carried their team mate in an emergency rescue stretcher. Nutters! I hope the raise a whole bucket of cash for that effort!

I was now in the final 200 meters I couldn't catch the guy in front, and I had been over taken by another guy who I recognised as a fellow father to be from Ward 314 but I was having great fun weaving through the walkers and gentle joggers. At the finish I picked up my medal and water and a biscuit and shook hands with the guys I had been trying to race against and then me and boys headed off to get cleaned up.




A great little run, for an amazing charity.

Please do what you can to support them!
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