Definitely not a right hassle! Regency Run 10k - Bridge to 10K

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Definitely not a right hassle! Regency Run 10k

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10
32 Replies

Feeling a little creaky today but I’m not sure if that’s to do with the run or the litter picking we did in the afternoon, anyway, here’s my run report (sorry it’s long again!)...

217 free car parking spaces from 8am, so I was expecting a big queue, but no, we sailed into a spot! We twiddled our thumbs discussing buses with Youngest Kitten as he had to get off to his climbing lesson and meeting points with Eldest Kitten. Windoze was waiting for us by the entrance with a big smile - he really helped to steady my nerves with his calm friendliness, thank you 🤗

We chatted away like we’d known each other for ages and we were soon at the bag dropping off area (via the loos!). A quick warm up jog around the finishing area and off we went to the starting ‘pens’. We said our goodbyes to Windoze, promising to meet up at a future parkrun - he was off to the quicker pen whilst we were in the middle of the biggest 55+ minute area.

It took a bit to get going but we were soon nipping in and out of the slower runners as we made our way onto Newbold Comyn. We waved to a couple of Marshalls that we knew and got into our stride. It’s an undulating trail along the parkrun course (loved the ‘No Swearing’ sign on one of the hills!), passing the old, disused golf course and then back down onto the road to pass the leisure centre to head back into town. That was half of the race down already, it went in the blink of an eye and we’d weaved our way through a lot of people (sometimes it’s useful being little!).

Getting back onto the road was a bit of a shock as it was uphill to begin with and I didn’t expect it, it seemed to go on forever. At the top though was the water station and cheering crowds. I got quite a lump in my throat as we went through them, I got surprisingly emotional seeing all those people. There were Scouts offering cups of water and children with their parents offering jelly babies. I felt very humbled but I didn’t want to stop (sorry!). It gave me an extra spurt of energy just to see them all.

By now I’d lost Katnap . He was creakier than me so was going slower than hoped. My knee had lost all of it’s niggles so by now I was really enjoying myself. For the first time I actually enjoyed seeming the kilometre markers (I usually hate them!).

Through the busy centre of town onto the Pump Room Gardens gravel path, I didn’t notice it really although I’d been worried about it. Down into a short tunnel under the road there was two way traffic, opening up to pass the (international) bowling greens and along to Victoria Gardens where it was strangely desolate. Very odd - there was hardly anyone there to cheer us along and it was quite demotivating. However, my workmate was there to cheer us (and my boss who had run past earlier)! Fantastic!!! I’d never been so pleased to see him - perfect timing! I’d have hugged him if I could have stopped but I was now motoring as the 8 kilometre marker came up.

Back through the tunnel someone had fallen by the exit, they were being supported and protected by Marshalls. They seemed ok but the Marshalls were calling for help. Back into the Pump Room Gardens and passing the band stand the 9k sign was up...nearly there!! Crossed the main road into the busy Jephson Gardens.

I think the initial excitement for the crowds had died down and most people seemed to be milling around by now rather than cheering. Ah well, I knew my time was ok for me and I was nearly there. Youngest Kitten suddenly appears and cheers me on, asking where his dad was, so I pointed backwards. He’d delayed getting his bus to see us to near the end (I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist it!). He gave me another energy spurt and I raced a bit too quick up the hill towards the main road. Made myself slow and calm down a bit before turning for the finishing straight.

So back to lots of cheering people again as I put on a sprint to get to the finishing post. The sign said 1:04 something but I knew I was quicker than that as it had taken us nearly 5 minutes to go through the starting post. Katnap came through a few minutes later and Eldest Kitten met up with us as we collected our goodie bags.

My fantastic boss and his son (who are both much quicker than us!) took us for a slap up breakfast once we had calmed down and stretched. As we ate, the results came through - yippee! I’d broken the 60 minute barrier by 14 seconds 🤪, so 3 minutes more off my 10k PB 😃 Blimey, that was close but I’d reached my target! Katnap also got a PB despite being less than 100% fit, so he was happy but disappointed in not getting the sub 60.

What a morning - really enjoyed that! Brilliant meeting Windoze, being cheered by so many people, lots of smiling faces, people running for so many reasons (big shout out for those running to remember the NZ mosque shootings as they won’t have had much time to train and there were loads of them). I want to do it again! Boss talked about London Marathon...stop it, you’ll give me ideas...😳

PS - Youngest Kitten managed to get to climbing only 30 minutes late, which I didn’t think was bad all things considered!!

PPS - Recognise my number safety pins Runningroni , Oldfloss and BaddieThePirate 😁??!

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TailChaser profile image
TailChaser
Graduate10
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32 Replies
Lavender1962 profile image
Lavender1962Graduate10

Congratulations on your PB! Sounds like a great race!😊

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toLavender1962

Thanks Lavender, it was - I have very little to compare it to yet but it felt like it was!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

Simply great! What a run and what a report..the run sounded wonderful..apart from the sneaky hills..

Lovely to have all the support and both kittens there too.

Katnap will be back on form before you can say ..whiskers..what a super day..

The blue snail lived and loved every moment...you my friend, are a small feline whirlwind!! Xxx

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

😁 xxx

I’ve told him to search out the club physio - we both burnt ourselves out a bit a couple of weeks ago. But if you don’t push yourself you never know what you’re capable of x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

That is so so true...I repeat the quote of Edison to myself so many times..

"If we did all the things we are capable of...etc etc "

As long as we push and listen to our bodies too ...hope he gets sorted xx

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

I’m sure he will x

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Oh wow that sounded like fun TC, and what an amazing run you had! Fantastic time, very well done! 🏃‍♀️👍👊👏💪

Less than 4 weeks to my first race now! 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Well done for reading my mega post! It was fun cheeky and a great experience to take to future runs, and you’ll have a great time at yours I’m sure. Tell us all about it on Saturday 👍👍😃

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

I like reading mega posts TC! They make mine justifiable! 😅😅

Can’t wait for my race - and also Saturday! How exciting is running? So much going on. 😀😀😀

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I know! It’s mad isn’t it?! None of the house work gets done anymore!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Housework? What’s that? 😅😅😅

Runningroni profile image
RunningroniGraduate10

Wow you are going from strength to strength. Amazingly well done.

Yep I recognise those badges.

Hope you have fun at weekend.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toRunningroni

Thanks Roni. We will, and really looking forward to it. Going to have to have a quiet one over Easter I think! 🤗

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

A great report TC and well done on cracking that hour barrier!🎉🏅

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Thanks JP - and well done for getting through the marathon posting 😄😉

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2

Great and I love the pins!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toCouchpotato2

Thanks CP 🤗, they’re our parkrun tourist meet up souvenirs from Runningroni

molly1973 profile image
molly1973

Brilliant run report! I have my first 10k race in June and my first ever race experience on Saturday (5 miles). I will be very slow and am nervous as I know I will be last but I’m a bit excited at the same time! This is really inspiring!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tomolly1973

Thanks Molly. I was mildly terrified yesterday. But if you’ve done parkrun it’s just like queuing up and running with lots more people. The best bit is the timing chip records when you start and finish precisely so you know your time is exactly right.

I wish they wouldn’t call them races really, I think it adds to the scary element of them. It’s only the elite at the front that race, oh and maybe those who are really good in their age category maybe (I was 108th in my age category 😂).

I’ve got my second ‘race’ in June, so we can sympathise with each other if the weather gets really hot!! Good luck for Saturday, let us know how you get on x

molly1973 profile image
molly1973 in reply toTailChaser

Thank you: will do!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

What a brilliant 10k you both had and to do sub 60 minutes is fantastic. How great that youngest kitten wouldn’t leave until he saw how you both did. Have a nice easy week - you deserve it.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy 🤗, Katnap is still struggling getting going at the moment. He wants to make sure he’s in good shape for Saturday. I’ll be doing the extra runs with the kittens this week I think! x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toTailChaser

I’ve been having niggles too. I’ll be there on Saturday even if I have to walk it. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Windoze profile image
WindozeGraduate10

See knew you would get that PB Tails!! Whooop!! 😎😎😎😎

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toWindoze

Thanks Windoze, you really did help and I’m sure you’ll get your target soon. We didn’t see you for dust!! 😀👍🤗👏

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Well deserved and a great result! 😁

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

What a great report, an awesome PB, and the best pins ever! I'm sure your snail and pirate helped to pull you on to a PB!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toSaskAlliecat

They did SA, all part of this forum’s amazing support! Thank you 🤗

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

Fantastic Tailchaser and so lovely that your Kitten waited around to cheer you home. Sounds like a lovely run and a great PB 👏🏻👏🏻My son was also there on Sunday to welcome me in but OH didn’t make it as he was struggling to go against the 3372 runners who finished before me and were making their way to the goody bag stand! Still, nearly 2 minutes off my previous 10k PB and there were over 1000 runners behind me. I shall be proudly wearing my bright orange finishers’ t-shirt on Saturday - you won’t be able to miss me 😂😂😂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Fantastic Sandie! Well done on your PB! We had a lot less runners than you, just shy of 1900 and I had about 800 behind me 🤔 Similar percentage to my usual parkrun I reckon.

Looking forward to seeing you and your bright orange t-shirt 😁

alisonx profile image
alisonxGraduate10

Wow TC - sounds like you had a great run! Congrats on the PB...that is really something :-)

p.s I really enjoy reading your long posts, full of motivation!

Hope the creaks are smoothing out xxx

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toalisonx

Thanks Alison, that’s lovely to know! Creaks are nearly sorted, feel better than before the run oddly 🤔😁🤗x

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