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Would like to see a longread on Watford Wednesdays, as a forerunner to the culture of distance running festivals.
I only did about 5 over a number of years, but there was something unique to them
I only did about 5 over a number of years, but there was something unique to them
Ridiculous traffic jams on the M1/M40/M25/ North Circular
Arrive 10 minutes before entries close, 15 minutes before scheduled start time
Pay your £4 (pretty cheap for a PB).
Set your target time to something totally unrealistic to get in a fast race
Arrive 10 minutes before entries close, 15 minutes before scheduled start time
Pay your £4 (pretty cheap for a PB).
Set your target time to something totally unrealistic to get in a fast race
Realise they're already 40 minutes behind, even though they've only had five 200s
Hover round the start sheets looking for your number, despite the official's repeated instructions to stay away
Finding your number, you're in race 15 of 21. It's already 8pm (before online entry)
Hover round the start sheets looking for your number, despite the official's repeated instructions to stay away
Finding your number, you're in race 15 of 21. It's already 8pm (before online entry)
21 fifteens, a few more sprints and three 3ks to finish
Watch the first few races, placing bets on who'll win. It'll inevitably be won by a 12yo boy, who will sit behind and then outkick a visibly annoyed 14yo girl. A v45 man will come third. Them's the rules.
Watch the first few races, placing bets on who'll win. It'll inevitably be won by a 12yo boy, who will sit behind and then outkick a visibly annoyed 14yo girl. A v45 man will come third. Them's the rules.
(I am of course neglecting the 800 nights, where up to 14 runners fight over the same tiny bit of track in the opening stages and hope to stay upright)
Back on track (igmc)
5 races gone - time to think about warming up. Round the outside or out towards the housing estate? Probably depends on age.
15 minute queue for the loo - hardly any paper left
Back outside, time to think about racing, it's sort of soon
5 races gone - time to think about warming up. Round the outside or out towards the housing estate? Probably depends on age.
15 minute queue for the loo - hardly any paper left
Back outside, time to think about racing, it's sort of soon
Race starts - scramble to the first bend
800 in, pace noticeably dropping. "DO NONE OF YOU PRICKS WANT A PB?" so you take it on, lead until 120 to go, finish 8th.
But you're happy because you have your PB. And the guy who cuts you up early on misses English Schools by 0.04
800 in, pace noticeably dropping. "DO NONE OF YOU PRICKS WANT A PB?" so you take it on, lead until 120 to go, finish 8th.
But you're happy because you have your PB. And the guy who cuts you up early on misses English Schools by 0.04
Pretend to warm down while watching the faster races.
Wonder why the results sheet for your race isn't coming any time soon.
Scramble around for coins to buy a Mars bar before the stall packs away
Wonder why the results sheet for your race isn't coming any time soon.
Scramble around for coins to buy a Mars bar before the stall packs away
Watch the 3ks. Race 1: won in 9:35 by 10 seconds. At least one person gets lapped twice
Race 2: won in 8:56. The u17 women's national champion runs 9:15, beating a fair few older guys whose mates are watching
It is now 10:45pm. The floodlights turn off at 11
Race 2: won in 8:56. The u17 women's national champion runs 9:15, beating a fair few older guys whose mates are watching
It is now 10:45pm. The floodlights turn off at 11
