My only goal for the Southport Sandgrounder 5k was to manage a sub 20 minute time. I was sure I could do it but I wasn’t sure could do it there and then as I hadn’t been feeling great the day before and it was quite windy, despite the sun. I always find it hard to run in the wind! Nevertheless, I followed the advice I’d been given, did a good hard warm up as close to the start gun as possible and just pulled out the stops to do my best. I knew it was a small race so didn’t think too much of there not being any other runners that close to me (I couldn’t see the ‘front’ as it was quite a windy course and he was a good way ahead of me anyway!) but it never occurred to me that I might be in such a good position! Now I think of it I’m vaguely aware of overtaking a few people quite near the start but that just wasn’t my goal so I never thought more of it.
On the Podium! When I got over the finish line I was more interested in stretching and checking the Garmin than thinking of much else but someone put a medal over my head (thanks, but you get one of those anyway whatever your position) and another guy rushed up with a notepad to ask me what my name was which I thought was a bit odd, but you know, I’m a friendly type. A third person with a megaphone then told me (not through the megaphone!) that the award ceremony was at 10.15. I was hoping to get the 10.27 train back to Manchester and so with a 20 minute walk to the station, I made to politely decline, much as I’d have like to congratulate the winners. This was the point at which I was informed that I would be getting an award! It was still more of a surprise to discover I had got second place! (first for gender). I can honestly say I have never been on a podium before!! What a surprise!
My Winnings! When I texted my friend on the way home (who was supposed to run with me but who had called off with a tummy bug) to see if he was feeling better, he asked how it went and I almost felt a bit odd saying what had happened! He asked if I got any prize money; No, I said, but I got a medal *and* a trophy! It wasn’t until a couple of minutes later that I realised I hadn’t actually looked inside the envelope… I had assumed it was a certificate and some race leaflets or something… No, a very generous forty pounds!
I was a bit gutted as the Garmin only registered 3.02 miles, not 3.1, which is 5 k. Now I know this was a properly measured course, so I’m not suggesting it was short, just that the Garmin messed up but it means it doesn’t register as a 5k PB on my account! Gah! The official results were that I completed in chip time of 18.37, so I got even better than the time I was aiming for as well! The chap who won completed in 16.56 and the lady who came in after me in 19.04.
The photos were kindly taken for me by one of the surprising number of people who stopped me to congratulate me afterwards. I got chatting to one lady and her husband in particular and it turned out they are also both artists!
A very well organised event, extremely friendly and not a day I'll forget in a hurry!!
I was a bit gutted as the Garmin only registered 3.02 miles, not 3.1, which is 5 k. Now I know this was a properly measured course, so I’m not suggesting it was short, just that the Garmin messed up but it means it doesn’t register as a 5k PB on my account! Gah! The official results were that I completed in chip time of 18.37, so I got even better than the time I was aiming for as well! The chap who won completed in 16.56 and the lady who came in after me in 19.04.
The photos were kindly taken for me by one of the surprising number of people who stopped me to congratulate me afterwards. I got chatting to one lady and her husband in particular and it turned out they are also both artists!
A very well organised event, extremely friendly and not a day I'll forget in a hurry!!
