FREETHORPE 10 MILES 27/01/2019

The BAM Nuttall Freethorpe Ten is a 10 mile circular road race which takes place every January and comes around ever so quickly!  It is a popular race as a lot of runners use it as part of their training for half and full marathons.  It is also the first race of the year in the grand prix series.  40 Jaguars braved the weather (and more Jags volunteered throughout the course).  Although not as bad as expected (our resident weather expert had predicted 70 mile per hour winds!) it was still pretty hard going – wet under foot and very cold.  It is a pretty course and most Jags managed a smile for the camera (we even got one nipple shot!).  For me all seemed to be going pretty well until I turned the corner at 7 miles and hit what has been described as “hell hill”, which was basically a wind tunnel.  Running uphill against the 20 mph head wind was tough going and I struggled through the next 3 miles cursing like a trooper.  Support from fellow Jags at this stage of the race really helped and a special thanks has to go to Marion who gave me the nudge I needed to get through the last kilometre.  Thanks to everyone who volunteered, supported and were ready with their cameras.

 All in all we did pretty well – 2 diamond (with Emma Blake being first in her age group and adding another trophy to her collection), 6 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze standards.  Even with the weather as it was we managed 8 PBs between us.  There were 17 first timers. 

 After the race I said “never again” but watch this space next year!!