Well it was a chilly one but nearly ideal racing conditions apart from a bit of wind. There was a substantial turn-out, predictable as the race had filled its' 1000 limit prior to the race date for the first time since they began running the event. Would like to say first and foremost a big "thankyou" to the organisers and marshalls for a very well organised event. The pre-race plan was basically to go fairly steady until we're through the hills located in miles 2.5 - 4 and then go as hard as possible to make a last attempt for the year on a sub-1:22.

OK, so we lined up, then there was a minutes silence for a long-time Turkey Trot runner who was tragically killed on his bike less than a week ago. A sombre moment. Then the horn sounded and we were off. The first couple of miles were great, slightly downhill (mile 1, 6:11) and out into the countryside south of Keyworth (mile 2, 6:10). I begin to have a nice daydream about getting under 1:21 but then we hit the notorious hills between miles 2.5 and 4 (mile 3, 6:30) and that puts an end to that fantasy (mile 4, 6:31). Having said that once we're through that section I realise that it was not as bad as anticipated but nevertheless I'm having trouble regaining pace (mile 5, 6:25) eventhough we're in a flatish section of the course (mile 6, 6:17). Things start to come good again (mile 7, 6:14) and I focus on reeling in a couple of clusters of runners (mile 8, 6:10) and trying to maintain pace (mile 9, 6:15).

The next mile was an interesting one, we turn into the wind and I pass a couple of runners, one of whom gets right on my shoulder to draft. I let him sit there for a quarter of a mile
and then gesture to him to come past and let me draft for a bit. He's having none of it, so I weave from side-to-side for a bit but he just stays right there. About 2/3 of the way through the tenth mile we turn left out of the wind and he immediately goes right by me (mile 10, 6:05). Needless to say I'm a little irritated at this point, so I pass him again going up a hill (mile 11, 6:13) and pull alongside a chap who I've been trying to catch for a few miles. The course then flattens out (mile 12, 6:18) and then starts to drop as we head back into Keyworth. During the descent I'm passed again by the tailgater and he gaps me in a substantial way through to about 12.5 miles, we then turn into a housing estate which has a few ups-and-downs and I can see that he's beginning to tie up. He looks back twice to check where I'm at (mile 13, 5:57) and then we round a corner for the final straight. I go as hard as possible, we turn into the school for the finish, he slows and I just manage to get my chest in front of him at the line. Finish, 1:21:58. It remains to be seen how the officials place us as it was a very close call, but the good news is that the effort I've put into catching Mr. Tailgate results in me just getting under 1:22, which was of course the aim for the day. As soon as I realise this I begin to smile, stand-up (as I'm bent double and breathing like an emphysematic donkey immediately after crossing the line) and shake his hand and that of the other chap I was battling with in the final mile or two then head inside for some soup.

So overall, a great day out. The club had a good day (first vet + first vet 45, both of these guys kick my arse every Tuesday night!!) and it really is a cracking run that I'd thoroughly recommend. I think the course is definitely easier than the Worksop 1/2M and probably slightly easier than Robin Hood, although the hill in mile 11 is a killer, not in terms of severity but just in terms of where it is in the race.

I will now plot my revenge on the tailgating git and plan to kick the pants off him at the next available opportunity ;-)

MM - great race, brilliant result. you must be chuffed.

I always seem to end up with tailgaters like yours who refuse to take their share of the work - I'm glad you got your just desserts.

I have to say it was very cold, my Raynauds got to my fingers by mile 10! (Look it up). I enjoyed the event enormously having failed to show for the last two years. I was joined by a woman from Beaumont Leys who was running her longest race for 20 years. She also said it was a great event and was very pleased by her time about 1:41.

My next big target is DUBLIN 27/10/2003. Has anybody been to it?

I have already booked the accommodation and paid the air fare so no going back!

See you at Keyworth on 14th Dec 2003.

Excellent MM! Great race and report. Glad you acheived what you set out to do.

Enjoyed the report MM - and you must be delighted with your time. That's excellent speed for the last mile of a ½M.

I must admit that if someone passed me on an upwind stretch, I'd have done my best to hang on by tailgating them for as long as possible - but I can take a hint!

Eddy, well done on todays race, As for Dublin did it this year 2-54min. Its a great friendly race. Very laid back for such a large city. It is nothing like the FLM. About 8,000 were in it, of which 5,000 were from overseas. We had agreat time spent four days there. The people and city are fantastic. Good pubs, food, music and crac'. It's well worth doing. I'm from Derby by the way. Not far from Keyworth. I last ran that race some 17 years ago!!!
It was the the year i got hook on running.
Tiger.

Congratulations MM, it's amazing what a bit of hotblooded competition can do in the final miles! Seriously, enjoyed the report, I would have been irritated as well, and hope your chest officially gets ranked before his, I'm sure you deserve it to.

Glad to hear the conditions weren't as bad as the forecast had sounded the other day.

What's next?

MM, nice one mate. That elusive 1:22 beaten at last. Are you doing Helsby?

Eddy, good result and good luck in Dublin next year.

WEll done MM and Eddy - fantastic time, MM - you must be well chuffed!

I hoped to do the Turkey Trot this year during a trip back to the UK but flight times didn't work out. Still, next year maybe...

You doing Long Eaton XC, MM - or heading up to Bolsover for the 10k?

Well done MM. Great report. I don't know about it being easier than Worksop though. I certainly didn't find it that way. Might have had something to do with the office do last night though!

I also went off too fast going for (a completely unrealistic) 1.30. I pulled in 7 minute miles for the first three and then deteriorated from then on. Ended up with 1.36 which is a minute outside my Worksop time.

Thanks to the organisers who did a great job again. My only complaint is that we never seemed to get a tail wind to compensate for the gale which we ran into for a couple of miles. Maybe they could organise that for next year?

Great performance MM, 1.22 beaten at last. Hope you get the nod over the tailgater in the official results !!!!
Sounds as though it was a well run event so I think I might put this one in the diary for next year

What a great report, MM! And a great time. I do a bit of tailgating but you have to take it in turns. Glad you kicked his butt at the end!

I managed 1hr 27m 25s which was OK for me. I took me ages to get warm again as I waited too long at the end for friends to finish.

14th Dec next year you say, Eddy? I'll put it in my diary now.

Well done MM, that is going some - I was still running past the rugby match while you were sprinting to a finish.

I was determined to finish my first year of racing by breaking 1.40 but missed by six seconds, wished I'd not stopped at the last drinks station now !! Not too unhappy as I shaved another 16 seconds of the PB.

Big thanks to all the organisers and those who braved the cold to steward the race.

Thanks all and well done Eddy, Sparks, Sutts, Nigel and Andy, sounds like everyone had a great day out. I'm definitely going to try and make the turkey trot a regular fixture on my running calender it is a great run.

Drew + Laura,
I did consider doing Helsby 1/2M next, but I think I'm going to do the Folksworth 15 (same weekend as Helsby).

... I totally agree with you guys: it was a really well organised event. Everyone was so friendly during the race that it really helped in such testing conditions! I couldn't believe it when I looked out the window this morning and saw a beautiful blue sky. D'u think perhaps this can be ordered for the race day next year?! Oh, and thanks simply must go to the organisers for selling small t-shirts that are SMALL. (Why are race t-shirts always in mens' sizes when women who run are seldom very big?!)

Well done on being first woman home, Kate. Spectators are always keen to cheer on the top women, so I'm pleased they spurred you on. You must be modest, too, as you didn't mention your time here. You certainly went past me at quite a lick. I bet you kept warmer than most, too, dressed all in black.

MM

Well done on such a fast time maybe i should start eating or drinking marmite (i really hate the taste.)
Considering i was coughing and sneezing at the begining of the week i dont think i did to bad around 1.45 - 1.46 (i did 1.44 at Worksop.) i could not stop my watch as the guy at the finish wanted to see my number
I would really like to get under 1.40 next year any tips

What I think would be a good idea would be for runners world magazine to feature a normal club runner like Marmite (or anyone) each month. They could talk about how they improved, how long it took, favourite races etc. I would be really interested to know how you lot train etc etc.

Great idea - with all the publicity he might even get a sponsorship deal from the Marmite people.

I think I'll start calling myself the Stella Artois Kid...

Don't get me started on training!!

I'm willing to bore everyone to tears on this topic, myself included.

One thing I will mention though is that the single best thing I've ever done in terms of training and improving my times is without a doubt joining a club and running with them consistently.

Sponsorship from Marmite would be completely awesome!!