It’s
the first time this 5k relay race has been run but, as you can expect from
Norfolk Gazelles, it was really well done. Each team comprises of 4
runners, who run the same 5k loop and come back to the finish line before their
next team runner goes. Our team was me, Cat, Paul and Rob J.
Once the race got going (well done to
Cat btw for going 1st!) it was pretty quick and well organised. I was
particularly impressed with Gazelles marshals who stood on the start/finish
line calling out team numbers of runners on the home stretch so your next
runner could get to the front, ready to go.
It was a nice course on closed roads,
lovely downhill to start but, as we all know with a downhill comes an
uphill/mound of opportunity! This one came at 3-4K and very sorry to Kevin, I
completely ignored your training and didn’t look up as I couldn’t face looking
at it!
Looking at the results I think we came 29th overall and 3rd in our category (mixed masters) so big pat on the back Gin Runners – that deserves a gin or two!! ?
Paula (23C)
Official Times: Cat – 24:25 Paul – 22:28 Paula – 23:39 Rob – 21:54 Total – 1:32:28 (3rd in category)
An early start from Wells and it was pouring down all the
way there – not an auspicious start. Also we were still a bit bleary from
flying into Heathrow on Wednesday and I still had the remains of a cold and a
growling voice to prove it. Nevertheless, when we arrived in a Great Yarmouth,
the rain stopped although the winds continued.
We found the car park, put our Great Yarmouth Road Runners
logo in the window so parking would be free, and set of to find the school that
was Race HQ for the day. That was easy – we just followed everyone else.
Registration was similarly easy – lots of people on iPads. You told them your month an date of birth and
were given the next available number – very efficient! We pinned on our numbers
at the usual less than perfect angle, visited the pupils’ toilets and set off
to find the start which was on a running track just off the promenade.
Before long it was line up time – we could see the Mayor in
his regalia but couldn’t hear a word that was said. And then we were off on the
more or less two loop course along the promenade with the sea on one side and
hotels well past their glory days on the other. Before long, there was local
Wells runner James O’Neill on his way back – in third place. It was dry, but it wasn’t until you turned on
the first return loop that you realised it was windy and the return part was
into a strong head wind. So turning to start the second lap was something of a
relief, although running with the wind behind you made breathing harder work.
Nevertheless, my pacing was going well and I was on target with about 5 minute
kilometres to finish in just under an hour. Then I heard Amberley call my name
and just managed to wave and call back – she was on the final return loop.
But by now the wind had got up more, my knee was hurting (as
usual!) and I slipped back to just over 6 minute kilometres for the last couple
of kilometres. And then it was turning onto the race track for the last 300
metres and crossing the finishing line just a few seconds slower than my
target. A medal, water, banana and a T-shirt and then just a short wait for
Ceri.
On the way out we bumped in to James O’Neill again, waiting
to pick up his prize for his third place finish in 34:35. And his first words
were, “That wind! Wasn’t it dreadful on the way back?” We couldn’t have agreed
with him more.
But a good well organised run on a flat seaside course – we’d do it again!
Chris (659)
Official Times: Ambie – 48:05.0 Chris P – 1:00:29.7 Ceri – 1:06:24.2
A great day at Whitwell Station for the four RntS teams (and Time Keeper Lucy H) at the John Barrow Relay.
An invite only event, we took part along with the Reepham Runners and the North Norfolk Beach Runners. Each team having four runners, two runners ran one lap, two ran two laps (each lap being about 1.8km – or 1.1 miles in old measurements).
The teams could run in any order they wanted, but the runners doing two laps had to do them consecutively, they couldn’t run one, then let another runner go, then do their second. Of the four RntS teams it was interesting to see three different orders of runners (2, 1, 1, 2 – 2, 2, 1, 1 – 2, 1, 2, 1).
Official Times: Black RntS (Ant, Bob, Mark, Shane) – 49:48 Blue RntS ( Cam, Chris, Keith, Kevin) – 54:13 Red RntS (Ceri, Amanda, Lorraine, Susie) – 55:39 Silver RntS (Allison, Evette, Kirsty, Paul) – 57:29
Race Results from the event organiser: TEAM 1st place 49:48 Runners-next-the-Sea (Shane, Bob, Mark & Ant) 2nd place 52:01 Reepham Runners (Jenni, Pete, Rory & Julian) 3rd place 52:06 Reepham Runners (Sarah, Sam, Tim & Nigel) LADY – 1 lap 7:37 Amy Clarke, Reepham Runners LADY – 2 laps 17:24 Chloe Monsey, Reepham Runners MEN – 1 lap 8:15 Julian Clarke, Reepham Runners MEN – 2 laps 14:53 Ant Cude, Runners-next-the-Sea
This wouldn’t usually be here, but as every member of the club turned out who had registered (over a 16% DNS) and 3 club members won their age category (Jazz, Keith, Seb), I thought it was worth posting.
My First Triathlon
Leading up to the triathlon I was very lucky to have other club members help me with my training, including a recce of the route (not sure this was a good idea!) and answering the numerous questions that I had.
The night before the event, Mark and I
registered, I’m so glad we did, as it enabled us to see our swim start times,
to get our race numbers and to see the transition area being set up. Once home, I got my bike and helmet labelled
up and put into the car and worked out how to use the tri-belt. With my kit ready, the alarm was set for
5:30am!!
Sunday morning arrived and the nerves had set
in along with the rain! I arrived at
Woodlands at 6:50am where Mark had already got himself organised, he then
proceeded to help me get my bike into the transition area. The volunteers were great and helped along
the way, ensuring that helmets were on when entering the transition area with
your bike to make sure that they fitted correctly and advising how to rack your
bike. I took Mark’s advice and racked my
bike near the swimming pool exit and near to the bike exit to make transition easier. Talc was poured into my trainers and socks to
(hopefully) make it easier to put them on with wet feet, a t-shirt ready as I
was expecting it to be a chilly bike ride and the race belt on top of my bike
with my helmet.
Breakfast was eaten whilst watching others setting
up and running through what was ahead of me, making sure that I knew what I was
doing for each aspect of the race.
Other club members were starting to arrive;
they were so supportive and full of smiles and advice as always, really putting
me at ease. I am so grateful to be part
of such a friendly and supportive club.
The transition area shut at 8am and the race
briefing commenced along with the rain again!
The event was ran so efficiently and smoothly, I did not encounter any
problems along the way, in fact it did not matter that it was my first one as
the volunteers were telling everyone what to do along the way.
Each person was given a swimming hat in their
race pack, red, white or blue depending on what time your swim started. My swim start time was 8:48am, so, hat, nose
clip and goggles in hand I set off to the end of the pool 10 minutes before my
start time. Taking Libby’s advice I made
sure that I got an end lane with steps next to the exit door. Each swim start was set off 3 minutes apart.
I got into the pool ready to start, with a
count down from 5 and the whistle blowing, off I went. I was pleased with my swim time and managed
to keep a steady pace. 12 laps completed
(300m) and out of the pool to the transition area, hat, goggles and nose clip
being taken off on route.
“Hat on first” Ant had said, I didn’t forget
this. Feeling dizzy from the swim and
trying to put my socks and trainers on was interesting, race belt on and off I
went for a 17km bike ride in the rain.
It is a lovely route and as Kevin would say undulating until you get to
Holgate Hill, which feels like a mountain!
Just keep peddling was the advice I had been given for this hill. There were many Marshalls around the course
smiling and pointing you in the right direction; it was not the best weather
for them.
Arriving back at Woodlands making sure that you
dismount at the correct point (Amanda was there to ensure this was done
correctly). Then back into the
transition area to rack my bike, take off my helmet and head out for the 3km run. I’m not sure how to describe the run – muddy
and wet probably sums it up, it is a lovely route though (on a sunny
day!). It is an out and back route
through the caravan park and woodland.
The finish line is such a welcome sight on the return, where a medal and
bottle of water awaits you and a massive support crew of club members, friends
and family cheering you over the finish line.
I would highly recommend giving a sprint
triathlon a go. It is a very supportive,
friendly and great event.
Will I do another one, I’m not sure yet!!
Kerrie (No. 26)
Official Times: Ant – 0:53:00 Mark – 1:04:48 Cat – 1:05:55 Seb – 1:07:28 – 1st in category Jazz – 1:07:50 – 1st in category Keith – 1:13:02 – 1st in category Libby – 1:14:56 Kerri – 1:18:41 Hayley W – 1:20:06 Cammille – 1:24:57 Lynne – 1:26:17
