Tamworth Heart 10K 18th February, 2007.

Race report. 

I was asked to do a race report, a daunting task to try & follow our eminent bard, Eddie "Shakespeare" Cockayne, but  I will try, so here goes, a Rob version without the "Eddie wit" or the two bottles of wine whilst writing it. 

On a foggy, then bright, morning, we had a splendid turnout from our budding Paula's, for the Tamworth Heart 10K, a new course this year Starting  in the Castle pleasure grounds,  going out into the outlying areas , through the town centre and finishing back in the Castle pleasure grounds. All were nervous (some more than others), but I think looking forward to the challenge, to put to good use their hill sessions, efforts, long runs etc this was it, a real race. 

Seven were counted out, seven were counted in, a good start here is how they finished. 

1st home, Elena(James), 8th overall lady in 42m 17 secs, an excellent first ever race, although I don't think she'd have been happy with anything but 1st place in a course record, "went off  a bit too fast and died" said Elena, points for the best style should have been given, very good first race. 

Next home: Sally (Latham) in 44m 53 secs, Just caught her at the start with Kate, appeared to have good steady run, must have been going quickly at the end because I was looking out for her but she just whizzed past, 

but I did catch Kate (Simpson) next home in 45min 27secs still smarting from the Warwickshire cross country, still, I feel had a lot left, but  got a medal this time. 

Claire (Beaumont) next in 48m 17 secs, despite missing two weeks training with tonsilitis, then going on a skiing holiday,

and then doing the cross country at Stafford Common the previous day, felt it in her legs (not surprised) but all things considered not bad, similar time too last year on a harder course. 

The tiny figure of new girl, Nicola (Harrison) was next, not far behind Claire in 48m 28 secs, Didn't she do well, it's all very new to her and she's progressing well. 

Rachel "wobbly legs" (Denham) was next , in 56m 53secs, beat her target time of 60 mins, as always Rachel gave everything and had to be held up after the finish, nice to see Rachel back after quite a long lay off, could ask for no more. 

And our closing team member, Samara "Chariots of fire"(Booth)  in her normal finish sprinted past numerous mere athletes to come home in 60m 22secs, again having missed so much training with (delete as necessary) work/birthdays/traffic/weather/colds/flu/blocked nose/ears/ bad hair day, (please don't kill me I'm only kidding and trying to put a bit of "Eddie" type humour into this), she did really, really well. 

So there you are, one extremely proud coach at the end of the day, good performances by all and a medal each, these events are new to most of you and you coped really well, you see our training does pay off. 

For those of you who want proof of your suffering there are some piccys on the web site www.tamworthheartrunners.org.uk  just click onto the photo link. 

Hope I haven't upset too many people, Eddie can keep the job.

Rob.