Brilliant report Richard.
Its funny, here I am sitting reading about other people reports hoping that they say they have passed their target in front of them....8 months ago I would have been like....why am I reading this!!

It great reading how others are doing and I aim to be half as good as you guys and gals.

3rd Female, well done Trin!

O.

PART THREE

The start of the race was uphill and I thought to myself "So this must the hill Nat and Steve were talking about...pah! It's nothing to worry about".

The course then gently undulated, although I did start to realise that the undulations were more down than up... so that means there's more up than down to come, and what's more there wasn't much more distance to do it in

The pace felt slightly more than brisk, and I was aware that my lungs were reacting to the dampness in the air. Being an asthma sufferer, I run better in warmer dryer conditions. So I just focused on even breathing, and keeping the pace with Steve.

Then we turned left and OMG... so that's the hill! I said to Steve "See you at the top", to which he replied "It's not far".

I could see the bend in the road and thought that must be the top, but no. Around the bend there was part two. I confess... I walked a few steps

But once at the top the view of the road back down was so welcoming, and we picked up the pace once again. Ran past the start area and saw Nat, who cheered and clapped as we charged through onward to the second lap.

All I could think about from the start of lap 2 was the hill that we had to climb in the last mile. Sure enough, by the time we got there I was wibbling and I said to Steve that I didn't mind if he wanted to go on without me (secretly hoping that he would so I could slow down a bit). But he was having none of it and wouldn't let me wimp out.

Steve did climb the hill without me though. Another confession... I walked a few more steps partly due to the pulled muscle from last week, which I thought had healed. But about half way up the hill it suddenly went 'ping' and didn't feel very good at all. At the top of the hill a marshal told me I was currently 3rd lady so that helped me to pick the pace up again. Then that lovely descent, and turning right at the end towards the finish line, where Nat was holding out some chocolate as sprint incentive

The official time of 45.12 was not a great time for me but I can put that down to a recent spell of more relaxed training as I prepare to start a heavy marathon schedule next week. My hill training is somewhat lacking at the moment too, and it showed.

But hey... 3rd Lady I can't be disappointed with that!

TO BE CONTINUED

Thanks Owain

Awesome result, Trin

Great race reports all round... although everyone's suspiciously quiet about the boozing so far

oops, just spotted a mistake... what's a Martial eh? (my report)

I know exactly what you mean though Owain... great to read Trin & Steve's accounts, despite having been there and spoken about their experiences already, and it's always great to read of other peoples race experiences

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Runners Forum Winter Social @ Castle Combe - Been, Gone, a complete success
www.richardsimkiss.co.uk - 'Lady Godiva Half Marathon' Race Report Added 27/10/08

Everyone tootled off home Katten, and we were all very good forumites

Next time I think we need to block book a cheap hotel

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Runners Forum Winter Social @ Castle Combe - Been, Gone, a complete success
www.richardsimkiss.co.uk - 'Lady Godiva Half Marathon' Race Report Added 27/10/08

Bah

Well, my report isn't half as detailed or as eloquently put as the others but my point is at the bottom. Everyone else has covered all of the details for the day. One thing I was thinking though was how much like their avatars everyone looked!!

Well it was nerve wracking for me! Although it says senior member under my name I’m still a newbie really. It’s quite difficult sometimes joining a new forum and fitting in. So when I saw that the site social was on I decided that I’d actually get out and meet some people and not be scared.

I had fully intended to enter the actual race, but when I looked at the results from 2007 I decided that it was just a little soon for me to be entering a 10k. Maybe when my times came down a little, and my strength and stamina improved I’d do one. So that meant attending as a spectator.

Steve very kindly PM’d me and said that he’d be passing my door on the way through to Glooston. How kind that a complete stranger would offer me a lift! He did give me Trinity’s name as a reference and said I could check with her that he wasn’t a psycho. Of course, he didn’t ask for a reference from me

As time got closer I got a little nervous because there seemed to be a big list of attendees. I would only have met Steve on the day, and wouldn’t know anyone else. I wondered if I’d be Billy No Mates wandering around on my own for the day!

Race day arrived and Steve was on his way – I couldn’t really back out now! I saw a car pull up outside the house and went outside to greet him. He managed to get to my house without getting lost – proof that a man IS able to follow directions We had a quick cuppa, but had to set off as we weren’t sure what the traffic would be like. I must admit, I was nervous about travelling for so long with someone I’d just met – I hate awkward silences! The silence never came – I don’t think I stopped for breath once on the journey – Steve must have been bored witless! He was polite though and didn’t tell me to shut up!

When we got to Glooston Trinity was already there and Richard joined us shortly after – the others have written about introductions and how we all met up, but it really struck me how cheerful and happy everyone was, and how welcoming they were of me – a complete stranger they hardly knew from an internet forum. I've been to socials on other forums and a lot of people will stand around saying nothing, and ignore anyone they don't know. We all had a great laugh and I’m so thankful to the RF Three for not only being so friendly, but for motivating me again. I was so proud to be supporting them from the sidelines – they did so well

I wont bore you with the rest of the details – I think everyone else has most of it covered! Big thank you to Steve though for his kindness (and patience!)!

So a word of advice for all of you newbies out there – don’t sit back and wait behind your screen. Bite the bullet and get to one of the socials which I hope will become more regular. Don’t be frightened, make the effort and you wont be left standing on your own. You’ll meet some really great people who will make you laugh, gear you up and inspire you. If I can do it, anyone can!

I was a complete forum social newbie too! Although I'd spent plenty of time on the forum, I'd never met anyone from the forum - so of course was a little nervous. Though as Nat says, nobody was left on their own and everyone was very friendly. I'm normally a very shy retiring person when put into new groups but these few forumites certainly put my fears to rest.

I'd sincerely encourage anyone to come along to the next one

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Runners Forum Winter Social @ Castle Combe - Been, Gone, a complete success
www.richardsimkiss.co.uk - 'Lady Godiva Half Marathon' Race Report Added 27/10/08

Loving the reports guys!

Trin,
Are you saying I was cracking the whip?!!

Nat,
Of course I wasn't bored witless...you were great company. Also, as you say, I hadn't got any references so had to be careful...mad red headed,viking, women and all that!!

Katten,
Boozing? Don't be daft!
Us runners worship our bodies................we have to, nobody else will!!

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My old man said be an Arsenal fan........

I think what Steve is trying to say is that because they're all so darned fit, they're terrible lightweights and can't take their drink

One sniff of a barmaid's blouse and I'm under the table............












.............not that I go round sniffing barmaids' blouses of course!!

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My old man said be an Arsenal fan........

Richard nice set of pins you got there

Good photos !!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve, you like being Mr Whip Cracker dont you

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Are we there Yet

Firstly.... that's a really good report Nat, and I'm glad you had a good time




ever so slightly Steve

Aint that the truth!