& The Bees Still Buzz
I've been very excited about this week, but I needed to take it slow. This week saw me take on my biggest race. The Great Manchester Run, part of the the Great Run series perfect trial run ready for September for crowd size and participants.
Lions Wednesdays 🦁
As previously mentioned, I love that I've started going out on a Wednesday with the Lions (I think it helps because the weather has been so lovely recently) This week saw a nice 5k route, which was a taster of a trail run, through fields and ending up down the canal. I had the best company in the form of Jess (who else!?) so we just pottered and nattered. It was perfect running weather, and our (not so) personal photographer, Stu took probably one of my most favourite photos of me and Jess!
We finished the route down by the canal. We were asked if we remembered which bridge along the canal we needed to get off at to get back to the clubhouse (pub, The Golden Lion)
It's the 4th bridge.
Cue us all counting the bridges. But, did the Top Lock bridge count? The first bridge took so long for us to reach, surely we'd missed one. - We hadn't. But, as previously mentioned, I love running down the canal, but it is so monotonous, its a good novelty for every so often, but I couldn't train down there.
This week however, there was a barge on the move. So this became a good game for me. "beat the barge to the bridge." Luckily, I managed it. It started spitting on our way back up the hill, but this was okay. Job done. 5k covered.
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Parkrun #47 🌳
I am so close to this 50 now! I can smell the red t-shirt! This week I had to go slow. I didn't want to burn out before tomorrow, I was looking forward to this Manchester run so much. Just get round, and use it as a leg stretch. Lion's numbers were back up and it was lovely to catch up with some familiar faces. Ginny was back barcode scanning - and she brought the sun! 🌞
I wanted about 37 minutes this week, it did not happen. Shelby, was marshalling and as I got back from the 2nd lap I just said "I can't be bothered!" (Sometimes, with Preston being a lapped course, it can get a bit boring) Shelby replied "Just take it easy you have a race tomorrow."
I thought I was taking it easy. My time said otherwise. 33.45. Ooops. I went to get my barcode scanned and everyone told me I didn't look like I'd been for a run. I can confirm I definitely did run on Saturday. Number 47 in the bag. 3 weeks until party time!
I needed to take it easy during the day now, operation Manchester was on the horizon, so what did I spend my day doing? Babysitting my 18 month old nephew. No Saturday nap for me.
Great Run - Manchester 10k 🐝
The day had finally arrived. I've done 10k numerous races before so I wasn't nervous. Its a good distance. It's funny that 10k isn't really that much to me now. But it was my biggest event, which meant it would be good practice for September.
Jess had very kindly offered me a lift. It was nice to have a lie in, usually on a Sunday I am out of the house at 7.30 to run at 8am. Today our start time was 12.30. The only thing that worried me about this was fuelling. I think my body was grateful for the lie in however, as I didn't wake up until my alarm.
Porridge eaten, I decided to spoil myself with a coffee this morning and then it was off to Jess'. I was very, excited. I downloaded the Great Run app, and started tracking the half marathon, as that set off at 8.30am.
I got to Jess' and we set off in the car, we were aiming to see Shelby finish. We got to just outside Manchester, and Jess had forgotten her Garmin. Now, I am fairly certain that there is no way on this planet that Mr. Coxy would turn the car around for me to go back and get my watch.
We got the watch and tried again. This did unfortunately mean that we missed Shelby finish, as I got a notification on my app. Stu's time was absolutely amazing at 1hr. 45. For a half marathon. Aspirational!
The buzz around Manchester was great. We started spotting people with their half marathon medals and T-shirt on. Soon, it would be our turn. We still had a little bit of time to spare, so we decided to soak up the atmosphere around Manchester. (and tried to find the street we needed to access our start on)
We walked past Starbucks and for whatever reason we stopped to gain our bearings, and looked into Starbucks. (I don't make a habit of this) Next thing I knew I saw someone stand up and start waving at us. Followed by a very familiar yellow T-shirt. We had managed to find Stu and Shelby! We said a quick hello and congratulations on their respected times and a few words of encouragement and we went off to the start line with a spring in our step.
I couldn't quite get over the scale and the atmosphere. It really was something.
Now, it is important to pause this blog here because today was an especially poignant day in Manchester's history. 22nd May 2022. 5 years since the most atrocious act of terrorism. We had a minute of applause at the start to commemorate this moment in time, and to remember those who didn't make it home that evening.
Off we went, making our way to the start to endure this iconic event. The atmosphere at the start of the race was incomparable, it was so noisy from support. You couldn't help but smile. I admit, I found it tough weaving in and out of people and I did feel trapped at some parts, but when I look at my splits. I went off far too quickly. It was a very humid day today too. Which didn't really help matters.
I felt good. The slog over to Old Trafford felt long, but there was plenty of support on the course from a multitude of charities. We got water at 4k. This was new. Because I was struggling so much I tried to hold on to my bottle as much as I could and tried to take on as much water as possible. For the first time ever too, most of the water I threw down my back, just to cool myself down.
We hit 5k and this is where I knew I would have to dig deep. For some reason on a 10k race kilometres 6 - 8 are always the toughest. My pace slowed down and I could tell. But I wasn't sure how much I had in the tank. A small glimmer of hope, that we doubled back on the hydration station and I managed to get another bottle of water. I took more on board, but the majority went on top of my head. I just did not care.
I continued. I had no clue what time I was on, I'd started my watch early, because I'm having trouble with it connecting. Chester Road back to Deansgate seemed a very long way.
I could hear music behind me and I wasn't sure what it was. My heart sank.
My plan for this race, as it was flat, was to try and get the hour. I wanted to keep the 1hr. 05 pacer in my sights and over take her at the end. But I hadn't seen her for the majority of the race. It turned out she was behind me. She was closing in on me, and I really did not have much left to give.
I have to say though, she was absolutely amazing. "1 mile to go guys, come on! You've got this!" 1 mile was 1 mile too far. I really did try to keep up with her, but she kept edging forward. I reached 9k. As in every race, this is the longest kilometre of the race. To make it worse, Great Run put 800 metre and 400 metre markers in place. Really not helpful.
In true Sammie style, I made a friend, we just wanted to get to the end. We paced each other, and forgot about the official pacer.
"This is the longest 800 metres of my life!" We got to 400 metres, which saw us turning into Deansgate. The crowd appeared from nowhere. It was electric. I could see the finish.
"Shall we?" We managed to pick up the pace. I was very, very, happy to get over that finish line today. I just wanted water and my medal.
My watch started buzzing. I had sent my race number to a number of people to track on the app, but what I didn't realise how big my support network was at home. But I had no idea of my time! And I kept getting clapping emojis.
But what was my time?! The app wouldn't load for me.
1hr. 05.
I may not have beaten that pacer, but, I got a cracking good time considering the conditions.
It is about time I learn to be kinder to myself.
Jess and Jade absolutely smashed the race too. They have the Edinburgh Marathon next weekend and I will be their #1 cheerleader at home, while they absolutely smash their goals. This race they managed an amazing 1hr.03. We had a lot of smiles on our faces.
A good, successful week of running. It has made me excited for the Great North Run. September is looming, I have no other races booked... yet...
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