I’m ever so slightly (very) late posting this blog about the Lliswerry 8 road race which was on Sunday 29th January. The truth is that I was injured before the race so just wanted to test out the injury as I’d been struggling with it since New Year. Basically it hurt like a mofo for the whole race and I haven’t been allowed to run since. Bring on the sulking!
Until this morning! I did a slow and steady 2 mile run and had no pain for the first time in ages so I’m a happy bunny again. I need to be sensible and slowly increase my mileage for the next few weeks then hopefully I’ll be injury free and able to take on my half marathon sub 2 hour goal.
Ok, enough about that – here’s the Lliswerry 8 blog (finally!!)
The race is organised by the Lliswerry running club and based in Newport. It’s 8 miles hence the name Lliswerry 8. It has a limited number of participants so sold out very quickly.
I’d never done this race before but there’s always a lot of buzz about it so I thought I’d give it a go. I didn’t manage to get a place but luckily for me Sarah from Pegs got a place but couldn’t go so transferred it to me.
We all arrived at the Newport stadium on a very wet Sunday morning and were eager to start the race. We came well prepared with the latest hi-tech running kit to ensure we stayed as dry as possible until the last few minutes.
The start
Everyone discarded their bin bags hi-tech running kit and the (very soggy) race began. Luckily we have quite a few Pegs who are a dab hand with a camera.
I really enjoyed starting the race with these ladies, it’s not often I get to run with them as they’re speedier than me so this was fun.
It wasn’t raining as hard as the forecast predicated but it was still very soggy and cold. I also forgot my gloves which didn’t help.
The twingy hip
After the first half a mile I could feel my hip starting to twinge a bit. I was hoping it would settle down as the race went on and I warmed up. I decided to just take it easy and try to last the 8 miles.
Usually I can distract myself in a race or run with the scenery or I’ll just let my imagination run riot but the discomfort in my hip kept me in the moment and it was all I could think about. I threw a big pity party to keep me company throughout the race.
The race is 8 miles of flat road except for the one “hill”. Luckily it was downhill and basically a small bridge.
I watched the miles tick by and couldn’t wait for it to be over. I was cold, wet and in pain but I knew there was cake at the finish line!
The community
The amazing thing about being in a running club and the fantastic running community is that there is always someone to cheer you through the finish. As well as waiting for you after the race to tell you that you did well, even when you don’t feel like it.
We all walked back to the stadium to get warm, grab a cuppa and scoff some cake.
The medal
Usually after a race I come home and take a photo of Winston wearing my medal but the Lliswerry 8 race doesn’t give you a medal. Instead you get a long sleeve technical t-shirt and this is a big reason why a lot of runners love this race.
Every year the colour of it is kept a secret so there was much chit chat about what colour people thought it would be. Luckily for me it was white, I had been shopping the previous day to buy a white long sleeve t-shirt to wear under my Pegs vest but couldn’t find one.
Back to Winston. I tried to get him in the t-shirt but I lost the wrestling match. It would have made a great photo but I decided it was much better to keep the t-shirt in one piece. I took a photo of my cupcake instead.
The hype
I now understand the hype about this race. It’s a lovely nice and flat route so you can really give it your all. I’m hoping that next year the weather is kinder and I can see the sights a bit more. It was wet and grey so the view wasn’t the best this time.
Next up for me is the Newport half marathon on Sunday 5th March and I’m hoping that I’ll be injury free. I know I haven’t got time to get my mileage up so am relying on my fitness to get me through it. I’ll take it nice and steady and just listen to my body on the day. Wish me luck!!
