Having been bullied into doing the Potters
‘Alf by my Brother, I was kind of nervous and not looking forward to event, as
I don’t really like running on roads. However this was an exception as this was
going to be a family affair. My Brother Ant, was doing the race, and even more
impressive was the fact that middle brother Steve had be persuaded into doing
the race too. Though my twin sister had pulled out. Maybe next time though.
Bethell Bullets
The morning of the race had come, as usual
I was a bundle of nervous, and anxious about was about to come.
My preparation involved stretching and
eating two boiled eggs, one more than I usually do!
We set off to Hanley, otherwise branded as
the City Centre. We arrived about one hour before the start time. There was a certain buzz in the air and
I could already see a lot of runners warming up. We meet Ant and Steve in Costa Coffee. They had decided to
get some needed caffeine. I opted out of this, as coffee gives me the shakes.
Not that I wasn’t nervous or shaking anyway. Rattle, Rattle.
Now you may already know a little bit about
Anthony my brother or as Forest. He was a little stiff from the Shutlingloes
race and from the training that week, but I still expected him to have a good
race. As he always does. My other brother Steve has only being
running for three months and was set for the challenge of the concrete
hills. This is impressive to even
consider doing after such a short period. Hats off to him. I had previously had
a training session with him. And he looked in good shape, so I was worried
about him beating me. Maybe I will
have to trip him up at the start line…
After a few visits to the rest room, we
headed out to the start line to have a bit of jog. Before I even left the
shopping centre I had lost both brothers, so I went to start to await for them.
I never saw Ant until after the race, but I did see Steve just before the start
as we both decided to take moment to ease the pressure of liquid in our stomachs
before hand. I fact I missed the start by a 30 seconds or so.
And that’s how my race began. I decided
that I needed to work my way through the field, so I wormed my self through
high spirits and smiley faces. I finally got into my stride just after leaving
the City Centre to head up through Fenton. I saw a few familiar faces along the
way, including Steve and I wished him luck. I also meet up with a few people
that had being doing the summer series, Tyler from Congleton Athletic
club. I ran with him up to the top
of Fenton. The weather had decided to continue smiling upon us, like it had
being doing all week. The heat did
start to rise within the first few miles and I knew we were in for a warm one.
I kept my pace going and started to
progress through the field. As I tried to maintain my pace, my shins and legs
felt tired. So I decided to throw lots of water on them. I felt a little heavy, but I was
enjoying the crowds of people that cheered everyone on. In fact the crowds were
amazing, well done to the people of Stoke for getting behind the runners. Some
had even made additional water stations and even handed out a few oranges and
my favorite Jelly Babies. Result
As I went through Longton, I could start to
feel the my legs, but I was also determined to keep at my pace, and try to keep
an eye on those in front. I did manage to pass a few more people on the up
hills, and realised that this was my strong point, where as I found it hard on
the flat parts.
After about an hour of running, I start to
get a tired and need some more water and additional food, I hadn’t packed any
gels or food. I did manage to take an orange from someone in Bucknell,
thankyou. Though it did make me feel sick.
This was about 8 miles in.
It was at this point that Tyler can running
past me like a steam train, good running from him. I wished him luck and told
him to go for it. I found myself interchanging positions with a group of
runners from Trentham running club. I managed to keep up with them till Holden
lane bridge when two of them broke away. The good thing was that we had been
overtaking other runners too.
It got to Heart Break Hill, the classical
part of the Potters ‘Alf I had heard so much about. I decided to just go for
it, as I had saved a little bit of energy for the hill. My plan did work and I
managed to overtake a few more runners, but struggled to catch the two Trentham
runners and Tyler. I did however
catch a few more people on the home straight.
Just before the end I saw my Brother
Anthony who gave me extra encouragement to the finishing line by running with
me. It pushed me on and I managed to quicken my pace.
On the way to the finishing line, there
were rows of people, sometimes four lines deep, applauding the efforts made by
some 1500 people on a Sunday Morning.
It was overwhelming to see so many people clapping. It really did inspire you to keep
running. Thanks again for those that came and supported me and the other
runners.
I managed to cross the line with a time of
1hr and 28 minutes in 63rd place. I was really pleased to finish
under the 90 minute mark.
I later found out that my brother had
finished 9th and won his class. Well done Ant Great running from
you.
I was that greeted with a muffin and some
Water from Cara, thank you. Though
I did almost fetch it back up.
I also saw some close friends on mine come
into finish their first half marathon. All under the 1hr and 50 minute mark.
Well done to Ben, Gilbert and Angus for achieving this. To complete a hard half
marathon on such a sunny day is amazing.
My Brother Steve came in under two hours,
an amazing achievement considering how long he has being running for. Well Done
Steve. He was pushed from the Heart Broke Hill with my other brother running
along side him until the finish. Am really proud of Steve and my friends for
complete this challenge it just goes to show what the human body can do when
you have the determination and will.
After the Race (Steve, Ant, Me)
Afterwards (Ben, Ant, Angus, Me, and Gilbert)
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