DIDCOT
FIVE - no it was 35, degrees that is. Joan on hearing the forecast had pulled
out, but as Zac and Loren were still up for the 2 mile fun run I thought I
should still go.
Mike and I tried to arrive in time for the children's race but just like last
year arrived as it was just finishing - we toured Didcot looking for Ladygrove
Park and at one time could see where we needed to be but we were on the wrong
road. No map had been sent with other details and although we had gone last
year, Joan had driven she must have had a map or just got lucky! Thought it a
good idea to stop and ask a runner - after stopping his watch, getting his
breath back and trying to apply his mind to the question he sent us in the wrong
direction (maybe on purpose?).
We arrived just as Zac came sprinting over the finishing line (18 min 20 sec)
and stood with Penny to wait for Loren. Penny was getting worried about her
although had had the foresight to write her mobile number on Loren's race
number. Zac having recovered and assessing the situation (Loren possibly
walking), carrying a cup of water set off to find her - such a gentleman! But
then we saw her making a great sprint to the finish (31 min 42 sec) she in "girl
style" knows about making an entrance. Admitted to walking only a bit. Well
done to them both in such heat.
Mike meanwhile decided that he need to complain - now there's a surprise - about
lack of direction map and ignoring my suggestion to find an official in the hall
he approached the time marshal. "21min 5sec, sorry a map you say oh 21 min 10
sec can you speak to oh 21 min 16 sec to someone in the hall". Mike did get an
apology from an official later who said that maps had been left out by mistake.
Mike gave no apology to the time marshal, well you knew he wouldn't didn't you.
Time now for the 5 mile, seems even hotter now no shade anywhere. Not so many
contestants as last year because of this weather and some people arriving but
deciding against running. A couple of fit looking "twenty somethings" though
not in club shirts but one of them sporting a very nice outfit in baby blue and
pink approached me saying how in this heat they were going to take it steady,
might have to walk some. Well me in my ERR vest was going to challenge this and
try and keep them in my signts at leat. Their start pace was a bit faster than
I'd expected and keeping up with them was proving difficult. I was sensibly
considering the distance and heat so I let them go.
Although the course is flat the cycle tracks around this newly built area had no
shelter from the intensive sun and not a cloud appeared in the sky. After 2
miles I caught up with one of the "twenty somethings" and we played at cat and
mouse for a while before she fell back to now walk. Then a guy about "twenty
something" (add another 40 years), fell in step with me and we continued to jog
for another mile or so, which was about when I passed her in her blue and pink
walking - job done!
The only time I walked was whilst under the railway bridge, no sun there and
time to cool down a little. My finishing time was 55min 3 sec and I felt OK
making my way to some shade.
I reckoned that with no-one much in my category I stood a change of a trophy so
decided to hang around for results. Mind you as I had spent the last ten
minutes with my head between my knees, Mike pouring water down the back of my
neck, Penny finding another use for a CAUTION RUNNERS sign by fanning me with
one and someone offering services of St. John's Ambulance, I was going nowhere
for a while, but did manage to refuse any involvement by St. John's Ambulance
and recovered in time to collect my trophy for first FV55.
Where were my grandchildren when I needed them, scoffing burgers and ice-cream
ofcourse.