Up bright and early, got everything ready then set off for the Railway Station, decided it was the best way to travel, rather than try and park in Manchester with half the roads closed.
You walk for miles before you even start, left my bag in the baggage place, no security so carried my purse and rail ticket with me, that way all they would get was my clothes, old tracksuit bottoms and top. I have never seen so many freebies, just a pity nobody was with me to carry them, so I didn't take anything. The queues for the toilets were horrendous, so I went outside and found some portaloo's, no queue.
I was in the pink wave and we had to be in place by 11:30 but didn't set off until 12:30. Our warm up was over by 12 and we had to stand around and wait for half an hour, getting cold. It rained on and off all day, but wasn't unpleasant once you set off. I am very pleased with my set off and the first 5k really, I actually managed to do a lot more running that I usually do. Unfortunately my left knee gave up at 7.5k, from then on I couldn't run so walked as fast as I could. We got jelly babies at approx 8.5k, I say babies, but they only let you have one! I really wanted to run the last 100 meters but just couldn't it was hard enough walking.
I am looking forward to finding out my time, as I know I did better than I have before. It won't be wonderful but it must be an improvement.
I had to bend down to take my time chip off and it was a struggle, I didn't think I would get back up again lol. Picked up my goodie bag, with treats, t-shirt and medal. Put my medal on straight away and walked slowly to the baggage area where I got changed and then head off for the train home. Platform 2 Oxford Road, you have to go up the stairs along and down to the next platform, it killed me!! I struggled walking up the stairs, but coming down was worse! I was glad there was only 10 mins to wait for the train. Another nightmare at Warrington Central Station, they are doing it up. It was down two flights of stairs, then up two flights, then down a long slope outside - it was agony. Phoned home to get somebody to pick me up, and drove home is silence.
Had a shower, got my own cup of tea and warmed my dinner up in the microwave.
Why do I do this? Why do I put myself through this? Simply for the few hours I spend with all the other runners I feel a part of something, I really get a buzz from it.
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