Latest Striding Report - Penny Lane Striders

THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 102 16
I joined the Penny Lane Striders in
October 2012. I started running
again after my second son was
born - I’ve been running on and
off for about 12 years, but find
being part of the Club makes it so
much more enjoyable.
When I joined the Club I heard a few people talking
about all the races they had entered and the Mad Dog
kept on coming up. When I went on their web site it
looked really good specially the Medal and the T-shirt
(I’m Like a magpie when it
comes to the running medals).
Before joining the club I’d run
the Tunnel 10k, Natterjack
Southport 10k and the
Chester race course 10k,
however since I had not long
joined group 4 with a 10k PB
of 57+ I felt I had to earn my
place there; this was going to
be a PB Race for me.
My Husband drove me and
two other fellow Striders Chris
Lee and Nina Croasdale to
Southport. As we arrived it
looked manic: there were
people everywhere and the
queue for the bus seemed to
go on forever, although we
didn’t really queue for that
long. When we arrived at the
start the atmosphere was
great.
Mad Dog 10k 2013
By Jo Bruchez-Corbett
Before we could actually start the race we all had to bark
and howl like dogs, which everybody did. That was a
first for me! I’d normally be a bag of nerves by then and
just wanting
it to be over
and done
with, but I
think
because I
was part of a
team I felt a
lot more
relaxed and
for the first
time I was
actually excited to do a race.
The race itself was pretty flat, the weather wasn’t great
(it was very cold) but I was quite thankful for the drizzle
Jo has recently joined Penny Lane and can usually be found running around with
group four sporting her trademark
running cap.
Jo’s gunning for the finish.
Eamonn has spotted an unattended pie.
near the end as it was quite refreshing. There was music
and entertainment round the course and I loved the
drummers, apparently Elvis was there too! Still not sure
how I managed to miss him! (Head down concentrating I
bet).
Eamonn pointed out the finish
line to me which seemed to be
getting further away, but the
support from people who
recognized the PLS vest was
incredible and I felt as though I
knew everyone! It’s a wonderful
feeling hearing people shout
your name when it’s obvious
that you’re starting to struggle -
it really spurs you on!
With a lot of Help, Motivation
and a little bit of shouting From
Eamonn I got my PB of 54:49!
What I did find very amusing was
that throughout the race not 5
minutes would go by without
someone shouting hello to
Eamonn. He seems to know
everybody! Felt like I was
running with a celebrity.
I’d say the only downside to the
whole race was waiting for the
bus to take us back to the car - we were freezing!!!
We also ended up in the Southport visitor (our local
paper) :o)
My next big
challenge is the
Liverpool Half
Marathon, which will
also be my first Half!
Apart from being
slightly nervous
about it I’m also
quite excited. I
would never have
dreamed about doing a
Half before joining PLS.
Jo and her mad medal!