Review of the Wythenshawe Games 5k race

December 18, 2017

Review of the Wythenshawe Games 5k race - 10th December 2017

I don’t tend to blog about 5k races, but felt compelled to write after a race this month because it reminded me about how running sometimes surprises us when we least expect it.

It was Sunday, and I was supposed to be at a Santa dash in Warrington, but due to the media reports of an impending ‘snow bomb’ the race had been cancelled. Given that all local ParkRuns also cancelled on the Saturday, I also felt obliged to cancel my club’s Sunday session, just to be on the safe side.

In an attempt to try and find a last-minute Santa dash for my #MileShyClub runners, I scoured race directories, finding Santa dashes as far afield as Leeds. I discovered a 2.5k Santa dash in Wythenshawe Park but they were sold out. They did however, suggest we join the 5k standard race in the morning beforehand, but this was subject to them not cancelling the race due to the weather which was a very real possibility at this stage. Given that I didn’t want my runners to lose any more money, I decided not to re-advertise a new run and scheduled our own Santa dash for the following Sunday, free of charge.

So! The night before the 5k race, I got an email from the 5k race organisers saying I could turn up on the day and pay entry to join, and in the back of my mind, whilst I was cuddled up next to my other half in a pub, sipping red wine, (which was then followed by steak and more red wine), I thought that yes, I could possibly join the 5k race. Getting home though, I did not set my alarm, and decided to take a view in the morning.

Waking up and having more cuddles with my other half, he gently suggested that instead of putting myself through a morning of exercise, I could have a leisurely breakfast, watch Sunday morning TV (which I never do because I am usually at my running club) and sip coffee in my pyjamas. My mind debated this for about 10 minutes, but with the race due to start at 10.30am and the clock ticking, I decided to haul myself out of bed at 9.40am. I checked the race facebook page which had confirmed at 9.15am that despite the weather, the race would go ahead. I told myself I could take it easy and I knew it would do me good.

Then ensued a crazy 20 minutes of trying to find something to wear, locating my trail shoes, remembering water, trying to find change to pay for the race, grabbing a slice of dry bread for breakfast out the door and having 2 sips of tea. Not the best way to prepare for a race, but I thought I had everything. I realised when I arrived that I hadn’t even brought the right coat to wear – I had brought my smart coat I usually reserve for work.

But nevertheless, I was there with 20 minutes to spare before the race start! My heart sank as I walked to registration. The area was surrounded by seriously fit-looking athletes doing their warm-ups, looking like they belonged in the Olympics. Still, I was there and that was what mattered.

I bumped into a fellow runner, a girl called Sam, who I have often come across at races and ParkRuns. She’s a brilliant runner, completely beat my half marathon time in a trail run earlier this year, and is all-round hardcore. She had brought her two cousins to race with her. I told her to go get a medal for the girls.

I then also bumped into one of my runners from the #MileShyClub! Natalie was surprised to see me there; she had had the 5k race in her diary for months, and I explained my last-minute decision to come. It was good to know a few of the runners, and I had no pre-race nerves, which might be a first.

The route was a 5k on a 2.5k route which meant we had to do it twice. The organisers explained that the first part was from one end of the park to the other, uphill, along the main road, then back down past playing fields to the finish. There was a bit of trepidation when everyone saw the hill, knowing they had to do it twice, but generally spirts seemed high!

The organisers called us to take our places at the start line and I stood next to Natalie. We were middle of the pack, I had no desire to be ahead, and I seriously considered taking my phone so that I could film the experience as a vlog for my #MileShyClub runners. But, given that very few runners were in Santa gear, I decided that it wasn’t worth the hassle of holding my phone around the course, so I plugged one earphone in from my mp3 and stamped the ground to try and warm up my feet. It started to snow.

After the organiser had checked one of the marshals on the course had taken her position, after a shout, we were off! I watched as the runners on the front row belted ahead, sprinting effortlessly up the hill. I stuck with Natalie initially, and took my time going up the hill. I hadn’t even bothered to warm up ahead of the race.

Soon, I sensed Natalie dropping away and I continued to run. I started to dodge past runners who were struggling on the hill, and I raced through puddles to try and get ahead. Hitting the main road, I stayed steady and strong, and started to pick out the runners. I spotted a couple of fit-looking guys running as a pair and focused on trying to overtake. As I did, they laughed, and said something to me, but I didn’t know what! I waved at them. I even overtook Sam at this point which completely amazed me and I cheered her on.

We then got to an uneven part of the course where the ground was a little rocky next to the playing fields. I knew the route to the finish line, and to where we would have to turn after the first lap, so felt comfortable maintaining my speed.

Reaching the turning point, I saw the girl in first place run up the other side and I shouted “GO ON GIRL!” and the guy running next to her promptly dropped his car key. Whoops.

I continued to run and kept an eye out for the next girl. I gave her a wave. Then the next girl went past, and I gave her a wave. Then I looked for the next girl. But there was no next girl. I was in fourth place.

I was gobsmacked. I’ve never come top 5 in any race, ever. Sure, maybe, there was a ParkRun years ago when I managed 4^th girl, and there may have been the odd top 10 finish in races along the way, but never top 5.

I could see the girl in third place, plodding away. She didn’t even look like she was going very fast.

Immediately, my mind said, “Be happy with 4^th. There’s no way you can beat this. Stay steady and maybe you’ll finish 4^th.”

But there was also this other little voice which came in.

“Imagine a third place finish. Imagine how COOL that would be. Imagine what you could show your runners. Imagine going home to tell your family. There might even be PRIZES!”

I could hear my breath labouring. We were going back up the hill. But I knew I had done hill training. I knew this hill. I knew that since I have started doing squats and lunges in nearly every #MileShyClub session twice a week, my glutes have never looked so good.

I powered up the hill to try and gain ground. I watched as the girl in third place, with the bobbing Santa hat, took second place.

“So the girl in third is struggling,” I reasoned with myself. “Maybe she’ll fall over, and I’ll win. Maybe she’ll give up. Maybe she’s injured.” I found every excuse and wished for every downfall to that poor girl runner so that I could go into third.

We hit the road again. I overtook a guy. The girl ahead looked back. She knew I was a threat.

“I CAN,” I told myself.

Another voice pipped in. “No you can’t. That girl up ahead is skinnier that you. She’s got the figure of a first-class athlete. She’s even with one of those proper running clubs, the ones where they run marathons every other weekend. You can’t beat her. She’s got a proper running vest on. She’s in SHORTS!”

“I CAN.” I spoke to myself this time.

I didn’t want to sprint to try and overtake her and run out of steam. I just maintained my steady pace. I knew that once we got off the main road, it was onwards to the finish, along the rocky ground.

She was within a few metres reach. I could hear my breathing labouring, and I knew she would hear it too. We passed the 4k sign.

Turning off the road, she started to up her speed.

“LEGS MOVE!” I mentally screamed.

I willed my legs to stretch out. I lifted my head to make sure my posture was good, a technique I teach all my runners. I tried to up the speed but stay controlled at the same time. We levelled and started running parallel. She upped her speed. I stay steady.

I overtook her.

I WAS IN THIRD PLACE!

But then gut-wrenching fear hit.

“What if she comes back?”

I looked behind and to my absolute JOY I saw that she had started to slow. She couldn’t maintain the pace.

I didn’t dare slow. I kept running and running. My breathing was so hard I was making funny grunting noises. I wanted that third place to be mine so badly. I could see the girl in second place with her Santa hat still bobbing up and down and I could see that I was gaining on her. But I was so happy with a possible third place.

I got back on the concrete toward the finish line. I looked behind me and out the corner of my eye, I saw a figure in blue gaining on me. It was the girl in 4^th place!

My mind went, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Another voice said, “SPEED UP SPEED UP SPEED UP SPEED UP SPEED UP SPEED UP!”

I powered to the finish. Then to my horror, the figure in blue simply sprinted past me.

My mind went, “NOOOOOOOOO… it’s ok Jane, you knew your expectations were too high...”

But then the voice returned and said, “NO WAIT! LOOK! IT’S A GUUUUUYYYYY! It’s not her!”

I looked behind and couldn’t see any girls. I ran to the finish with the biggest smile on my face. I completed the 5k in 24:59 which isn’t even a PB (personal best), but my race stats show I got faster as the race when on.

My body promptly nearly died at the finish. I leaned over with my hands on my thighs gasping for breath. It felt so good to stop. One of the organisers came over with a clipboard and asked me for my name. I knew I had made third place but didn’t dare believe it in case there was a mistake. I wanted to ask the organisers if I had come third because I was scared it would be taken away from me. I wanted to ask about prizes! I wanted to know if there was a medal!

Sensible voice came in and asked me where my #MileShy runner Natalie was, so I walked away and stayed near the finish to cheer on all the other wonderful runners.

After everyone had finished and been cheered on, the Santa runners for the 2.5k race started appearing and soon there was a crowd. The organisers announced the winners and I filmed the moment I went to collect my medal so that I could show my runners. I went home and showed my family my bronze medal from the race and quite frankly, my other half did a double-take when he realised I had come third. I absolutely loved every second of it. Thank you to the Wythenshawe Games for being so brilliant and accommodating me at short notice.