The Road to VLM 2012 by squa25

• Not a cabbage in sight (or sheep or cows for that matter)

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  Oct1720108 p.m.

  Considering I’ve not run a race for months, aside from one anxiety dream a few days ago in which I completely missed the start, I was pretty relaxed.  I spent all of yesterday evening looking for my misplaced gift vouchers, which I hasten to add, I still cannot find, so my mind has been on them instead of racing.

  Got to the Cabbage Patch with only about 10 minutes to spare, had a glance round to see if I could spot Sue but figured she would have been on her way to the starting area, so I dumped my bag in the literal bag drop (you just leave it in a space in the upstairs bar area) and trotted down to the start area.

  Didn’t have to wait long before the off.  Started quite near the front as the majority of those who’d come earlier were in the main holding area, whereas the late comers were on the right side near the front.  Wanted to hold back because I didn’t want to get carried along by the speedies, but it was quite a challenge to begin with. 

  Mile 1 came in at 9:05 – much faster than I was hoping, but settled into a comfortable pace after that.  Before I knew it, we were crossing Kingston Bridge.  3 miles done already and onto the route I’ve been running recently during my training runs.  Because of its familiarity, I naturally picked up the pace a bit, bringing mile 4 in at 8:35.  Between 4 and 5 I was met with a surprise – Sue ran up behind me with a big hello.  How lovely!  We shook hands (how British of us..haha ) ran together and chatted a bit before I said she should run on.  I could feel the pace was slightly more than what I wished to be running and I didn’t want to push myself to keep up with Sue when we’d not even got to half way yet. 

  Sue went on her way and I plodded on admiring the views. Some of which I’ve recently run, much of it new to me. It’s a really good way to get to know an area!

  Richmond Bridge could not have come any sooner, which was about mile 8.  I was looking forward to finishing. I could see the faster runners on the other side of the Thames, it still looked a long old way.  The upward path to get to the bridge wasn’t much fun, thankfully it was short.   Then I hit mile 9, this came far too quickly.  Garmin said we were no where near mile 9 so I wasn’t sure what to expect for the last mile.  Was it incorrectly measured or was it going to be a LONG mile? There were a few corners to take, at each one a marshall would shout, you’re nearly there, just around the corner.  Yeah, right, it’s just around which corner exactly?? 

  I encountered the noisiest bunch of runners during this last mile, one woman was making a lot of weird squirming noises, then her young daughter (a spectateur) decided she’d run with her at which point I heard her say she had a stitch.  Perhaps that was the reason for her squirming noises?? Then quite a few grunters.  A man ran up by me and said “I think we’re gonna do it in 1.5 hours”.  I responded, I hope so!  Then I heard my name being called – it was Nick with his camera!!  Sue had warned me he would be there and that I should smile.  So I gave Nick a hands in the air pose and smile.  Unfortunately, Nick says he only managed a pic of the pavement!  Thanks Nick! The pavement was clearly more interesting than me...haha   

  I was nearly there, the finish, yet I still couldn’t see the finish line.  I heard a marshall telling a female runner just behind me to over take me, which she did but not for long cause as soon as I saw the finish line, I sprinted and overtook about 5 people, including that lady!  The clock said 1hr 31.  Didn’t catch the seconds.  Garmin says 1:31:27.  I don’t really understand how the timing chip works because there was no start mat so I presume it'll be gun time.  Anyway, I’m happy with 1:31:27 - it’s a PB by 3 minutes.

  A thoroughly enjoyable race.  Great weather for it too.  I will definitely do this one again. A ran a pretty even pace throughout, ave pace ended up being 9:08 which is spot on what I thought I might do.

  Didn’t see Sue or Nick at the end although I did have a good look. Everyone had put on their prize long sleeve t-shirts too, so we all looked the same; not helpful!  But Sue, it was great to finally meet you at long last.  We’ll definitely have to meet again!!

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  Comments (11)

  • Firefly123 'A great race report, Sabrina and fab to meet at last. Nick was commenting in his blog about the mile markers and I couldn't remember which mile was the short one! And like you, I then wondered where the 'long mile' would be! Definitely up for that one again next year too.' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • crooxi 'Too bad the picture of you ended up being a picture of the pavement! - sounded as though you were enjoying yourself. Good running!' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • Jenny1961 'How british indeed of Sue! Now if that was me I would have come up behind you and slapped you on the back in a friendly manner and bellowed in your ear or something! I think Sue must be lovely and genteel! A great race by the sounds of it and a really good time! Superb!' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • Keith_L 'Well done on the PB. Now a long sleeve shirt - theres something useful at last' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • Petecw29 'Great running Sabrina sounds like a good 10 mile race!' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • Nick 'I'm sorry I missed you, Sabrina. I could post a picture of the pavement if you liked! Well done on the new PB!' added 17th Oct 2010

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  • Johnf 'Good running and good to hear from you. Did Sue mention where her hand had been??' added 18th Oct 2010

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  • tinabee 'Sounds like you had a great race! Well done to you! Why is it called the Cabbage Patch I wonder?' added 18th Oct 2010

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  • eclipse 'Well done mate, I will have to look out for that one as it is only a couple of miles from my house and I didn't even know it existed. Tel' added 23rd Oct 2010

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  • michael_h 'Very good run Sabrina, and a PB as well! It sounded like you really enjoyed it too. Well done!' added 24th Oct 2010

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  • gunes 'Wow well done Sabrina a PB you must be pleased, sounds like a great race. Glad it's not just me who has anxiety dreams about missing the start he he :) once again Well done :)' added 4th Dec 2010

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