RACE REPORTS
Report from Paul Cooper:
Me and Jud (the girlfriend) went down to Catton park (East of birmingham) for the 2nd running of the TR24 running race. This was a race of 24hrs on foot over a 10km xc undulating route with hot weather thrown in for good measure. We decided to do it as a pair for fun and no pressure as i was still holding a ankle injury (from april) and Jud was still on the recovery from a torn calf 5 weeks previous so little in the way of running trg had been done. The event and set-up was as normal with this organizer second to none with every thing thought of for the whole weekend.
From the gun there was the tortoise-hair strategies from a mix of people in different cats (solo to teams of 8). I went out first for us and thought i would sit at a hour a lap strategy for it as to save some strength/energy for the long haul. I ended up running round with a similar ability lad and had a good bit of banter and before we new it was back in transition in 46-47mins....with no team mate in site so had to get round to tent and tell here to get skates on. Before long we settled into a routine for a bit and the more we went round the more fun it was as every one was chatty and happy...the weather being a big part in it all. I done the first marathon distance in around 3.40-45hrs and legs/body feeling good, Jud was around the 4.20hr for the marathon dist. By this time the people who were there to get a podium were meaning business and flying round the laps....with the solos plodding on and most at this point still enjoying the event/weather.
It was on the nxt lap where my old injury popped its head up again and slowed me right down to a walk/plod but i new i was out for 2 laps and took it easy. On the change over Jud went out for another lap and i tried to treat my ankle as much as possible before she came back round. We decided to have a break together and get some food and plan ahead.
I could hardly walk so it was decided to sit it out for a while and hope that with a bit of rest it would ease up enough to get a few more laps in later. So i became the support for Jud to get some more laps in as she was enjoying it loads....possibly due to the chit-chat every one was having on the way round she was in her element (as most women are when they talk to each other about clothes-makeup). Having done 7 laps she decided to call it a day, which was very good as the furthest she had ran/walked before this was around 22km...before her injury 5 weeks ago. I ended up with 6 laps and i have not heard the last of it since.
Over all the event is a must do for beginners through to seasoned runners......why chase fast times on roads all the time when you can have a good bit banter and make friends whilst doing something you like to do anyway.
