Deja-vu, 17hrs after leaving Sutton Park following the road relays, I was back to run the Lung run, a 10km run, with 5 and 2km options, all in aid of the British Lung Foundation.

Feeling a bit sore and fragile, I was quite glad of the 5minute jog between my car and the start area, which allowed a nice warm up, and opportunity to apply more deep heat (maybe they should sponsor me??). The start was put back by 15minutes which allowed time for a second toilet visit, finding my friends’ dad who was also running, and spotting James sporting his tealle top.

Soon after Keith had Kevin said hello, then moved back through the crowds at the start line, I found James and we set off. I had joked that I hoped it wasn’t just the road relay route twice...... I shall never joke of these things again! I went onto autopilot, only remembering as we approached a water station by the jamboree stone, that this was indeed a 10km run, and not a relay race. Having followed the relay route this far, we embarked back down to the pool, following the October route up through the trees to come out half way up the finishing hill. (My apologies, this will most likely only make sense if you’ve run relays, in summary, it’s quite, errr, undulating!). We crossed straight over and my mum appeared from no-where with a camera and cheering James and I on. James was still in my sights at this point, my brief over taking of him earlier had been foolish and very short lived.

I got chatting to the lady I was sort of racing and we agreed that running road relays the day before may not have been the best preparation, and that lack of baby sitters on such occasions could be advantageous, as it was her get out clause. On we went up a rather long hill to once again join the relay route just in time to run up the hill which is a killer in the relays. Turning right and a slight downhill section before heading back to the jamboree stone was a blessing, and I was looking forward to the water station. I got a little disheartened as we continued straight on, out towards streetly gate. This was short lived as I spotted the front runners going back down to the pool, and realised that the first lady was up with the men and flying! I do sometimes like these switch-back courses as you get to cheer on fellow runners and get a feel as to where you are. Round the bollard, back up to the by now much needed water station, and onto the finishing couple of km. Coming up the final hill was really good, I was in a bit of pain, but the crowds were great, and the announcer was nice enough to say we were the elite runners. James finished ahead of me, having paced it much better, but I was pleased with my time.

I jogged back round part of the course in an effort to see Kevin and Keith, but I think I must have missed them whilst retrieving my warm clothing from a random tree.

This is a great event, with a fantastic atmosphere and all for a brilliant cause, but if you want a really fast time, you may struggle, and if you run the relays, it would help to remember that this is double the distance! Oops!

Linda

BVH Results

James Taylor     42:13

Linda Howell      42:35

Keith                 1:10:55

Kevin OKeefe     1:10:54