WEEKEND WINNERS

As posted previously, Amber had her second weekend at the swimming County Championships. Again she came away with a gold and silver medal, upon hearing that she had won the gold she asked “how?” and then proceeded to say to her mum, “Don’t tell anyone!” Modesty at it’s extreme, me thinks. I am so very pleased for her and am absolutely in awe of her ability at such a young age. The main celebration here is that she is enjoying it and that is ultimately what you want anyone at this age to do within sport.

A sports teacher at our local comprehensive school was running with us at WRN on Tuesday evening last week and shocked me with what she had to say regarding young women and sport within schools these days. A lot of young girls are shying away from participating in sport at school level, due to many issues including how their hair goes frizzy during sport. It is becoming a very real problem within schools, where some have resorted to supplying hair straighteners in the girls changing rooms in order for them to “redo” their look after. Sign of the times I guess. Just glad I didn’t have that to worry about on top of being a normal teenager.  When I came in from cross country there was more to worry about than frizzy hair, my main concerns were how I was going to walk home with legs that felt like lead or how I was going to wash the tonne of mud off myself with the dribble that came out of the girls showers!!! Those were the days. No Frizz Ease or hair straighteners for me, as photos of my teen years will demonstrate – shame I can’t find any to post right now, isn’t it!!!?

BIDEFORD BELTER

Bideford was the location, 10.30 hours was the start of the race and 1200 runners were warmed up and ready to hear the starting gun. We were off!!

I travelled to Bideford with Mr and Mrs Davis to take part in my second Bideford Half Marathon, the duration of the journey was only 40 minutes but I am sure Mr D was very glad when we arrived at our destination. Nerves always creep in and that in turn seems to enable my words per minute to double, poor Mr D!!!

5 of the Bude WRN ladies were also in attendance for their first half marathon, all of them trained together for this event, keeping each other going and motivating each other when the training was getting harder. Even on the day itself, Andrea injured herself around mile 7 and was walking and hobbling along until she caught sight of the rest of the crew. In her words, they helped her carry on and even with a horridly injured and painful knee, she crossed the finish line within 2 and a half hours. I watched them come in and I must admit I did feel emotional. I know how hard you have to train to be able to run these races and the ladies have been nothing other than committed to their challenge. They train 2 nights a week with WRN then are out on a Saturday morning getting their long runs in. Dedication has paid off, it was great to see family and friends supporting them and cheering them in.

I had a great day with another PB 1:56:58 felt very strong and went with the intention of trying to beat my Exeter time. I managed to run alongside a friend from around mile 5, we found we were running at a very similar pace and intended on keeping that pace up throughout with a possible top up at the end if we had it in us. Once we hit the mile marker for 11 miles, we kicked our 9 minute mile pace into touch slightly and were averaging around the 8.30 minute mile for the last 2 miles. When I saw the 800 metre mark I knew I just wanted to get back as Mr T and the boys were waiting at the finish line. There is no better motivator at the end of a race than knowing your children are going to be there. A sprint finish was the order of the day and it felt great to know I had run it within my goal time.

As I was pounding the Tarka Trail and roads around Bideford, my niece was swimming like a fish in Bodmin. She came away from her first weekend at the County Championships with a GOLD, a BRONZE and 2 PB’s. She is 9 years old and extremely modest about her achievements, it was fantastic to hear her news after having completed the race.

She is back for more next weekend, luckily for me I will race again in May, so a slight tapering in training for me for the next week.

SPORTY WEEKEND AHEAD

This weekend sees pretty much the whole family being involved in sport in one way or another. Firstly, my niece, Amber, is taking part in the County Championships for swimming in Penzance and Bodmin, secondly I am running the Bideford Half marathon, thirdly Mr T is out on a 3.5 hour bike ride this morning and an 1.5 hour bike ride tomorrow in training for the Cornwall Tor on 10^th April, he is doing the 103 mile route!! Thank goodness the sun is due to stay with us this weekend.

http://www.kilotogo.com/index.php?option=event_detail&event_id=24

Amber has steadily progressed through her swimming lessons, then the local Sharks swimming club to be invited to attend these County Championships. I gave her a call last night to wish her luck and she said she was both excited and nervous – I know how she feels!! She has participated in many swim galas locally, but this is something else!  Although I have to say that I think my sister has the worst job of all, sitting pool side for the whole weekend, with nerves as heightened as Amber’s, willing her daughter on from a distance. It very much means a whole family event for my sis as she also has the demands of 3 year old twins, Sam and Indie, to think about. This is where my mother and Mike step in. They will take charge of Sam and Indie which gives Tania the chance to be there for Amber, high energy foods at the ready!

So good luck to all the family this weekend and I hope to be able to report some great results from all later in the week.