| 29 August 2009, 10:20 am |
| Trelissick 10k report |
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| Whooping it up at Trelissick ...... |
Andy and I arrived at a drizzly Trelissick for the Summer 10k and met up with a big contingent of Carnies, together with an even bigger contingent of Carnie Cheerleaders - led by Chief Cheerleader, Carole Drew and her second in command Major Jo. After several visits to the loo and a bit of group mingling at the start, Carole led her troops to the bottom of the hill while we massed at the start.
All of a sudden we were off, threading our way though the numerous 'fun' runners which this event attracts, although anyone who finishes this quite hard, hilly course has to be congratulated! The first couple of km's were round the fields, a bit muddy and uneven in places so the main thing was avoiding the cow pats and a twisted ankle at this early stage. At the bottom of the hill came our first contact with Carole and her troops and, boy were they loud!!! Apparently they'd also had to open the gate to let the runners through so they came in useful to the organisers too!! The whooping and hollering could be heard for miles and got louder as each Carnie passed by!!! I was running along behind Ali, Judy and Pete Hillman in disguise as a Personal Trainer for his friend Nicola and we stayed in this formation for most of the race. After climbing back up towards the start we came down again for our second assault by Carole's troops as we passed by the water, cue more whooping and hollering which sped us on our way into the woods. The run through the woods is the best bit of this race (I think!), slightly undulating but quite level ish so you can really get into your stride until about the 6k mark, even running through a little house where there was a chance to pick up a few leaflets!!
I was losing sight of Ali and Judy but caught up with Pete Hillman as he negotiated the 'Do It Yourself' water station at half way - apparently a lack of marshalls meant there was a table full of bottles (still with caps on!) and a few cups, needless to say I didn't have my Personal Trainer to get mine so I passed on the water!! At about 7k came the first of the two big hills, up round the edge of a field and a real killer. I walked up most of it, trying to keep a brisk stride and watching Pete and Nicola bombing up it as if it was the first of a hill rep session when you're feeling good!! Ali got to the top and, showing a really quick recovery rate, shot off into the distance, never to be seen again until the finish! About 300m after the hill I passed Pete and Nicola, perhaps that superhuman hill run killed the legs a bit Pete?? The next bit of the race was quite fast downhill and, although not too good for my dodgy knee, it did get my breath back ready for the last hill, which was not unlike the French Alps, switchbacks included! Judy had passed me again by this stage but I passed her again on the hill by slowly jogging on at a steady pace. George came bombing down towards me and surprised me by asking me to give him a slap - this I did before asking him why? He confessed he'd missed the race committee meeting last week by simply forgetting it, shame on you George, I'll remind you about the next one in good time!!! We chatted up the rest of the hill (well HE chatted, I listened!) apparently George had used this race as a practice for the Eden Marathon by running extremely fast on the downhills - so he said, he finished 20 minutes ahead of me so I can't confirm this!!
The last bit of the race was through a field and then across the main road for the last downhill stretch along the driveway to the finish. This is where the Carole Drew Cheerleaders were camped out and, if I thought they were loud the first time, I was mistaken - they were now REALLY LOUD!! They could see the approaching Carnies right down the driveway and the encouragement was fantastic - they even cheered on all the non Carnies just to be fair!! I did a fairly fast run to the finish line just to stay ahead of Judy, she'd beaten me at Indian Queens so I had to get my own back here, sorry Judy!!! You can have me back at Treggy next week!!!
I think all us Carnies enjoyed the race, nice and scenic, quite testing but satisfying! Linda told me that Janet got a prize so well done Janet, shame you're in my age group, I've not got a hope in hell of catching you, perhaps when we're in the Over 65's I might have a chance!!! Andy has now recovered from his Edinburgh Marathon so he gave this a go and was quite happy with his time, sorry he passed you on the hill Linda, apparently it had to be done!!!!!
The best bit of this race was the Carnie Cheerleaders, they were fantastic so thanks to Carole, Jo, Diane, Elaine, Carol, Lizzy, Barrie, Pete and Angela (was that all of you?? hope I haven't missed anyone out???). All you need now is a banner or a flag - sorry Sandy, I know the committee turned it down but I think it's time for putting it back on the agenda ........................
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