Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
NIKE RUN LONDON 10K
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
I started off close to the front of the intermediates, it took me 6 mins to cross the start line and I was passing people all the way up to the finishing line but all I ever saw was yet more yellow t shirts in front of me, looked good though
in fished in 50 mins 51 seconds, very pleased with my self
ok the transport wasnt great, but what do you expect with over 20 000 people trying to get to one place in london at the some time, I got up at 6.30 to make it there on time I wish more people had.
Thats the only way to describe it.
Compared to last years event at Kew this was an absolute disaster.
I took the shuttle bus from Wimbledon, inadvertantly queue jumping (I walked to Wimbledon station from the other direction so didn't see the long queue) which was quite lucky. I arrived at Richmond Park ok, dumped bag with brother and told him I'd see him anytime between 11 and 11:30 at the finish.
At 10:55 I started running, I was midway through the 1st intermediate start, there was no explanation for the delay, no steward came by to explain, nothing. It took 10 mins to cross the start line and by then I was well narked off. Not only had I been waiting around for over an hour in the cold (i was queued up well before 10), but I now needed the loo and was not in the best frame of mind to run. Had the race started just another 5 mins later I would have walked off and gone home.
Now to the race, felt like it was uphill all the way, and those hills at 6K were a killer. I couldn't settle into a decent pace, running in the middle of the road I would be running too fast, at the side I kept having to dodge those who were walking and going much slower than me. There was no happy medium.
I finished in 1:01 something - about a minute slower than last year and then eventually found my bro. We then queued to get a shuttle bus home, there was an announcement saying that due to the traffic conditions buses were taking 1 hour for a round trip. We took the train home.
Sorry for the rant, but after enjoying this race so much last year I feel very let down and disappointed that this years was so poor. Transport is admittedly a little out of the hands of the organisers, but announcements over a 1 hour late start definetly are. I will not be running this race ever again.
Strange as it may seem I had important things to do for the rest of the day, which I eventually finished at 11 oclock last night, had Nike done things properly I could have been finished a whole lot earlier - and so might be in a better frame of mind today.
I was near the front of the Intermediates and heard half a dozen announcements explaining the reason for the delay.
I was also worried about needing a pee half way around and had to go for two extra's while I was waiting for the start of the race.
If you don't like the hassle I guess its better to stick to smaller organised runs.
I feel better for the rant, the thing is the Nike run last year was my first ever race, the one this year was my second! - I had a very bad winter injury wise.
I shall probably look for smaller runs in future, perhaps the Wimbledon 10k, at least living locally I'll be able to practice the hill in advance!
I am thinking of doing Brighton in November to try for my first sub 45 minute. Its supposed to be a fast one. There and back along the sea front - loads of sea air!!!
My friends/family said it was such a great day for them from a spectator's point of view, especially the watching swarms of people with the same colour tops on.
Zebedee - I am also joining in the Nike Town runs every Tuesday, in fact will be going tomorrow to do a 5K run (don't think my legs will take longer at this early stage). I will be kitted out in all black Nike gear, a blue bandana holding an "0" shaped water bottle. Say hi if you see me or anyone else for that matter, I promise I don't bite (ha, ha).
Sammy :0)
Great visual event though - if the t-shirts are blue next year, I just might do it!
There are details on this site. Look under events.
Cheers
Stevo