Anyway strapped up overnight (not a good look) and the following morning - I made my way to Sandown Racecourse where the race was being held. All week I'd been telling people it was "only" a 10k by which I meant that there were no obstacles to overcome (no - disappointingly we weren't actually going over the horse fences like that recent Weetabix advert), no bike leg to do, no water to wade through ...... in fact it was a straight forward road race (hmmmm - exactly how straight forward later). Got there in good time - actually had a bit of a lie-in because its only half an hour away in SW London. Got my chip timer, goody bag etc. and started my preparation. Noticed that the number on the chip didn't correspond to my race number so went back to registration to query it. Half jokingly asked whether I could keep the chip if it was a younger and faster runner. They agreed with one proviso - it was a woman's chip so certain physiological changes would be required!
At this point I should come clean. The main point of this race apart from completing it - is that during the weekend the Triathlon, Cycling and Running show is hosted by Sandown Racecourse, with loads of exhibitors and fantastic kit! Last year I did this race I came away with a wetsuit, new trainers, specialist socks, nutrition ....... so really its a race with a shopping spree attached!
As you can see from the photos, it was a grey day with a light drizzle and fairly strong winds. A description of the run modified from the website is as follows. "The race started from in front of the main grandstand heading downhill off the ‘Apron’ and circling up and in front of the spectacular main building. Be aware you will be faced with a steady incline (it was a hill! and it went on for far more than 150m - that was just the steepest part!) of approximately 100 – 150 metres. When entering back into the venue the course turned left and headed through the stables (still going uphill but at least at a gradient that could be described as an incline), an area normally out of bounds to the public. This was our first chance to come face to face with your competition as you loop through the stables and back out and around the parade ring. I should note at this point, that before the start the announcer had name-checked a number of semi and pro athletes - and this was our first sight of them seemingly effortlessly dealing with the "inclines". "With large amounts of viewing from the main building hopefully, supporters will be on hand to cheer you on!" Well it was cold, wet, and windy - even the external exhibitors had taken their gear inside ... so only a few hardy souls. Then we exited the parade ring along a newly surfaced pathway (except it wasn't quite finished) which brought us to the edge of the racecourse. The course then has a flat (their definition of flat could be done under the Trades Description Act - there was a definite "incline" and of course what went down the hill with the wind behind you - had to come back up into the wind!) 1.25km out and back section where you will once again come face to face with the competition!"After this section we headed back uphill until reaching the main grandstand building where turned left and then immediately right before repeating the whole thing over again! A couple of things should be mentioned. The crowd in the grandstand were great! Cheering everybody on which was a real lift. Secondly the marshals were awesome! At on point we had to cross the access road and they kept the runners running without a pause - holding up the traffic etc. They also were a really friendly bunch - urging us on. Slight digression (well that's what happens when you get to a certain age - you tend to whitter on..... ) Sandown is an interesting racecourse as it has a golf course and a go-kart track in the middle (that's what was generating the traffic the marshals' had to, well - marshal). I'm assuming that these aren't allowed to operate on a race day as you could have an interesting commentary - Red Rum has fallen at the fifth - hit between the eyes by a golf ball which was sliced from the third fairway.....
Anyway, back to the race, the second lap was hard what with all those "inclines" but I managed to keep up a reasonable pace so that only one person overtook me. There wasn't much left in the legs for a 'sprint' finish but as I found out later - I had managed a PB (personal best) time.
So now it was off to the main point of the day - kit buying. Actually before this I went for so recovery food consisting of a Sunday roast (not bad) and liquid carbohydrates (i.e beer). Then I went shopping! This year I had a list so was not expecting to go too overboard. In fact managed to get everything I wanted except for a helmet (the ones they did have were so expensive that they didn't bother putting the price on) but I did come away with a very good offer on a magazine subscription for "Triathlon Plus" which is all about .....?
In the magazine they have a section on possible injuries one of which is a common occurrence for runners and triathletes. As with all these things it brings out the hypochondriac in us all so I was convinced I had Plantar Fasciitis - which is caused by the inflammation of the Plantar fascia - the thick connective tissue that runs from the heel to the metatarsal bones supporting the arch of the foot. See all the things you can learn by doing sport? By the way I don't have this as at the time of writing the foot's OK - just bruising from a hockey ball.
However this wasn't the end of my 'discovery Sunday' as I found that something else shared my birthday. Guess what, the E-type Jaguar turns 50 this year as well. The similarities are considerable. Good looking, stylish, a design classic - the list is endless!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12396484
RESULT: 93 out of 257 in a time of 43:58
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