This event is very popular in Birmingham due to it being just two weeks before the Birmingham Half Marathon. Again, I’ve had a slow week. But I’m happy to say my germs have gone fully and I feel like I’m going back to some sort of healthy normality with my body. But then Freya has a tummy bug. Noooo, it’s horrible. But it’s been kind to her. Only being sick about 5 time during the past 4 days. But I just wish it would buggar off now. If I get ill again between now and Brum. I think I’m going to have to pull out. But hopefully I don’t have to. It’ll be a gruelling decision if it comes down to it though. Luckily all the family who’s children have been affected haven’t actually caught anything themselves. Pray for me Lord!
So I bribed the bestie into taking me for some petrol money and baby cuddles to which she agreed. Now a massive shout out. She’s been through a lot these past couple weeks bless her. Mentally and physically. But she’s always there for me when I need her. Now this is the bestest type of friend ever. I’ve booked my driving test also. So maybe, just maybe I’ll pass before the end of the years out. However, I’m not feeling completely optimistic, especially if I do, my insurace is ridiculously expensive. But I suppose nobody does feel completely confident in their driving test. I just keep on relaying what others has said, “you don’t really learn how to drive until you’ve passed your test!”. Eyy so I’ve spend about 80 hours worth, which is a lot of penny’s for people to say this!
Anyways, it was an early start for me. 6:30am get up. I snoozed till 7. Freya has puked in her bed. The other sheet was on the line (probably not drying) so we just chucked her in the bed with us- not even she was up. Which I was happy about to be honest, it meant I could get everything ready. I shit you not, it’s like going on a mini holiday with a baby. You’d better not forget anything, otherwise you will feel like a bad mother!
So we arrived in Bournville, my stomach definitely wasn’t agreeing with the early start of the onion Bahjis from the evening before. A first for me was having the timing chip being put on like a ankle bracelet. I felt like I was out on day release. Ahaha!
We assembled at the start, and Vickie was like, “Coley, no earphone! You’ll be disqualified.”. Obviously being the total rebel I am, i stuck one in but hid it very well under my bandanna and my sports bra. To my knowledge I think I got away with it! Maybe I was too quick for the marshals to realise. Pfft, yeah right. Pull the other one Cole.
The start consisted of going round the playing field, then, turning left towards/ Mary Vale Road. The start was a tincy wincy bit crowded. Runners trying to slot in or overtake. This didn’t bother me. I just wanted to enjoy it, so much so I was watching people play their Sunday league football games which was a nice distraction. I slotted nicely behind a fellow Massey runner. My breathing was easing out. Onto Bournville Lane - it was a lovely decent. Ooo, I thought, I could do this all day long. Then there was another slight incline, to which I realised why they said no earphones. The roads were still technically open, but Marshall’s manned those roads to ensure the safety of runners- perfectly may I add. Both laps I hand to stop to let cars pass! Typical. The first mile came in at a respectable 10:08min/mile.
We were then directed to a pathed trail, through a little woodland, this was lovely. It makes me really want to start hitting the trails, this spat us out onto Hole Lane. The second mile completed in 10:32. I felt a little out of place, the common Coventrian that I am. The area was incredibly posh. Like life goals posh. The majority of the properties were beautiful. We then went into an open field, which spat us out onto Woodlands Park Road. To my surprise I herd my name, like, hang on... what? Vickie definitely hasn’t come out this far surely, I looked to the right to notice my old secondary school teacher/ tutor was there spectating. That was a lovely pick me up. I mean, I have people who drive me to events. But not many I see actually supporting around the course. When my dad wasn’t working his arse off (probably to partly pay for my car, which I am whole heartedly grateful for) he’d always be there at the finish and see me. I miss him coming to my events. I’m hoping work don’t call him in on the Birmingham Half as he’s on baby spectating duty.
Teazel Avenue was a little steep, but it marked the 3 mile point which meant we must have been well on the way to heading back to the field. Another testing Hill was the entry leading up to the park. My God. My calf’s were burning. However, I didn’t stop. Boom. As you turned left onto the field the support was intense. Who ever owns the husband that stood there shouting encouragement very enthusiastically at that point needed a medal of his own. He was fab on both laps.
As we ran down to come back up with a sign saying lap two or finish, I was feeling a little lethargic. Not so much so that I wanted to stop at 5k. I didn’t quite look at my 5k time. However I suspect it was around 32 minutes or just over. I was a little envious that a Bournville Harrier came soldiering past me. Clearly the first man to the finish first in around a time of about 33/34 minutes I suspect. Wow. Like. Wow. Why I not that speedy? He passed us like a sonic the hedgehog. Well done muscly Bournviller’ man!
Onto the the next lap, mile 4 was 10:12. My legs were starting to feel like lead. I was reduced to a walk. After 40mins of fair consistency. Something I haven’t felt in a while. My watch was predicting a finish of about 1:06. Hey, I was a hell a happy with that. Again Dory sounded in my head. Just keep running, just keep running. I think I’m starting to like 2 lap 10k events. At least you know when you’re nearly finished. Worst mile of the day at 11:20. The majority of my little walk breaks were here- only 3. So I am getting fitter.
Coming up that hill to the end I couldn’t run without stopping. I’d been followed by a woman throughout who was a Badger (my current 1st claim club which I’ve never trained with). She was determined. We were head to head, I wasn’t racing her, I used her pace to coincide with my own. Literally with 100 meters to go she took off for a fast sprint finish. My tiny legs just couldn’t keep up with her. Well done fellow Badger. I went as fast as my little undertrained legs could go. Over the line I went. I was then greeted with I a massive bag of goodies. The most food I’ve seen in a finishing bag. Wow. It was like trip to the shop. Amazing. Thanks Bournville Harriers. I was a bit gutted that it was a metal medal and not a wooden medal #gutted. I went to get my time and was elated to see id finished in 1:05:28!! A new post preggo PB!
Would I do this event again, abso-fricken-loootley. It was amazing for a running club event. Outstanding marshalling, beautiful scenic course consisting of both trails and road, amazing goody bag. You really out did yourselves! I’d definitely recommend it, but to be fast on making your online entry as there are none on the day and it sells out in a flash.
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