Race report by Brenda Lee.
So it was an 8 am start for me, Helen Rowe, Sally Slevin and Cal Oddy as we set off on a very sunny, but freezing, February morning to take part in the East Midlands 10k. Straight forward journey and we were clearly directed to the car park, £5 fee. The race is located at the National Water Sports Centre just minutes from the centre of Nottingham. I was instantly impressed with the venue and it reminded me of Dorney Lake, a marathon preparation race I took part in last April. Number collection, bag drop and clean portaloos were all pluses. A larger crowd than I expected but we managed to grab a quick pre-race photo with other Massey family. So got into line at the over 60 minutes marker and waited for the off.
The race is a two lap course, the first being slightly longer than the second and both mainly round the perimeter of the lake – memories of my last lake run in a Santa suit round Draycote Water sprang to mind! The first lap takes you on the only incline of the race and up to the woods. Nice flat route, definite PB course but one side of the lake proved tough as the wind was strong and you had to run right into it. The benefit of course, is the other side the wind was behind you.
Drinks station at 5k and although not many marshals, encouragement was given and the voice over the tannoy was very supportive and informative of how the race was going overall.
Lapped by the leaders at around 5k, and still recovering from a three week lurgy, I felt good and a little hopeful of a PB. This wasn’t to be but a time of 1:13:09 was a good result for me.
Greeted with a bottle of water at the finish line, a nice medal, great t-shirt and bar of chocolate, which is want you deserve and really want, was all welcome. The queue for these and bag collection was a little longer than people perhaps wanted but no shortage of medals etc was a positive in my eyes.
Cal had already finished and we met up with Helen then Sally. Bags collected, photo taken and a much needed hot drink from the catering van and we were on our way home. This is when we entered the fun zone! None of us had taken a mental note of how we had got from the car park to the venue so after several attempts and asking passersby we finally found the way back – it meant a trip over the rickety bridge and a search for the troll who lived under it, but we safely returned to the car.
Journey home was clear, and everyone was feeling very satisfied with their first event of 2018.
So if you’re looking for a PB course, not too far from home, a good price entry fee that gets you a medal and t-shirt, then I recommend East Midlands 10k.
I thoroughly enjoyed today, the company of the “Golden Girls” is always a joy. Listening to Sally telling us stories of “races gone by” are always entertaining and inspiring.
So back home, hot shower, scrambled eggs on toast, cup of tea and another medal on the hanger – a great morning’s work.