Thank you Lucy H for your report on the inaugural Fighter 5K:
The inaugural Fighter 5k, put on by West Norfolk Athletics Club, took place at Massingham Airfield on Sunday 17th May.
I had ambitiously entered the race last summer, as part of my far from a thoroughbred, but not ready for the knacker’s yard health and fitness drive.
Until this year I hadn’t done much (if any) running since 2019. Injuries, a variety of health issues, life, work, bereavement, covid and more meant that I had found myself in a position where I physically couldn’t. This had a significant impact on my mental as well as physical health. Despite having completed a few parkruns this year and starting to feel a degree of ability, I was very nervous about pinning a race number on and participating somewhere other than the safe space of Holkham park.
Kirsty Lack offered to support me by joining me, at my pace, all the way around. Kirsty is a dear friend and knows that contrary to outward appearance or opinion of those who don’t know me that well…. I can be insecure, lacking in self-confidence (particularly about exercise and body image), and that my inner saboteur is a powerful and mischievous beast.
As part of the Lucy reboot I started C25k with the RntS coaching team in Fakenham. It’s been a breath of fresh air and real boost to go back to literal basics, in a safe space, with people in a similar physical and/or mental mindset about running. Coupled with expert coaching and support, my fitness was already improving – it must have, that’s what Strava said! Homework for Week 4 is 5 minutes warm up, 4 minutes run 1 minute walk x 5, 5 minute cool down. What better way to tick off homework than getting back to a race in good company.
Back to the Fighter 5k, a marshal directed us to the airfield from the village centre, we arrived at around 0840. We realised that it was a touch chilly as soon as we got out of the car but made our way to pick up race numbers and see who was about. There were a few random runners and a couple of RntS about, as time progressed more and more navy blue hoodies and some well-worn green ones came into sight and we naturally grouped together. 29 club members took part, which is a great turn out, all their results are further down below the pics. Time to get ready to go, we couldn’t really hear the race briefing that well, a combination of weather conditions, a not very commanding voice at the mike, and runners talking (a personal bugbear of mine from parkrun…). Nevertheless, after having a quick chat with Poppy, a potential new RntS member currently running elsewhere it was 3-2-1 go.
Garmin set and running, Lucy and Kirsty over the start line. In my head I could hear the coaches words “start slow and finish strong”, “imagine you’re holding a pringle in between your thumb and forefinger”, “your elbow is a lever”, “don’t clench your hands it’s a waste of energy”, “don’t hunch your shoulders”, “no wet fish hands”, “imagine you’re wearing Pat Butcher’s best earrings and you can’t let them touch your shoulders” – that last may be mine…
So far so good, the crowd started to thin out ahead as expected, the only competition I was in was with myself. I could see Sarah S and Candy ahead, lovely to see c25k graduates from prior years, but couldn’t hold on to them for much beyond 700m. As we approached the 1km mark I realised I had ignored coach advice 1 – “start slow, finish strong”. I had done my version of the opposite “get carried away and try to keep up”… post-race analysis shows that my first km was a lifetime best so every cloud and a lesson learned. Sadly I paid for my exuberance during km 2, when I had a lot more walk (like Beyonce) breaks than I would have liked. Kirsty tracks in miles on her Garmin, so proudly announced when we were a third of the way through, just over 15 minutes, that’ll do. Head up and stride on. It was at around this stage in the race we realised we were playing cat and mouse with another runner who was jogging then having walk breaks. I have no idea how many times we passed each other on the flat, mostly level with some wobbly parts, path, but will come back to her later.
Half way, and starting to feel good, I sighted a tree or a marshal point in the distance and ran to it, a little further if I felt I could, then back to walking. This seemed to work well as before I knew it we were at the 4km mark. My legs felt ok, knees average, but seeing that it was “the final km” re-energised me somehow and on we went. I had put my glasses in my pocket so only had a blurry idea of time at this stage.
We approached the 400m to go sign and I saw a glorious and familiar rabble ahead. True to form it was a large collection of RntS whooping and cheering, which seemed to get louder as we got closer. Also getting closer as we were about to round the final corner was our cat and mouse chum, Kirsty casually asked “we going to get passed her once and for all then?”. A few more strides and my inner Helen Reddy (I am woman (hear me roar)), came to the fore, we went past her and on to the final straight. 10-15m to go and it was my version of sprint finish time. My chip time was 46:58. My second best ever 5k time.
A massive hug for Kirsty for being amazing, a bottle of water grabbed, maybe a tiny pack of Haribo too, and up to thank the RntS for their support. Hearing the encouragement and support was quite humbling, and made me quite emotional. I knew that Phillippa, one of the RDs at Holkham parkrun was walking the course so stayed to cheer her in.
What was it like taking part in a race again? Yes, I was nervous before, and after… so very proud. I’m not only proud of me for how far I’ve progressed, I’m also proud to be a member of such a supportive, encouraging, friendly and fabulous running club.
Would I recommend this race to someone new/returning to running? Yes, it’s flat, off road but on tarmac, supportive marshals, a nice local event to have supported.
Club member times ranged from 18:43 to 52:10. Everyone’s success was celebrated equally, well done to you all.
| Chip Time | |
| David Coslett | 18:43.9 |
| Anthony Cude | 18:49.5 |
| Kevin Heyhoe | 18:55.3 |
| Rob Jackman | 21:28.2 |
| William Ayley-Dodd | 22:09.1 |
| Michael Turner | 22:58.8 |
| Nick Loades | 23:20.0 |
| Matthew Freezer | 23:42.2 |
| Paul Woodhouse | 24:29.6 |
| Sarah Baker | 26:13.5 |
| Becki Cushley | 26:16.2 |
| Kirsty Grand | 26:18.7 |
| Zoe Smith | 26:31.0 |
| Nita Jackman | 27:08.0 |
| Vikki Powles | 29:02.3 |
| Emily Bingham | 29:03.1 |
| Libby Woodhouse | 29:12.0 |
| Paula Bazley | 30:40.2 |
| Mark Riseborough | 31:58.7 |
| Emily Jackman | 34:08.5 |
| Sarah Coxon | 34:12.9 |
| Lizzie McLucas | 35:03.7 |
| Christine White | 35:31.8 |
| Sarah Saunders | 35:34.7 |
| Vicki Armes | 36:07.9 |
| Vanessa Green | 36:13.3 |
| Lucy Harrison | 46:58.8 |
| Kirsty Lack | 46:59.1 |
| Jack Barham | 52:10.0 |
A mix of official photos and those taken by Paula Smith, supporting and cheering today, are below.
A great group photo, sadly Sarah S and Candy were keeping warm in the car despite Will saving a space for them!
