Adidas On The Run 5k

Friday 21st April

Astley Park, Chorley

By Diane Powell

When the phone rang at 3.30pm on Friday I was delighted when I answered it and the call was actually for me (I had a friend). Yvonne was inviting me to run in the Astley Park 5km. "It's a lovely course" she said. I've looked at the results from last year and you will probably be in the middle of the field" she said. I had not planned to do a race and had already clocked up 17 miles in the previous two days, but Yvonne can be very persuasive. I gave in and decided to join her even though 5km is not my preferred distance. It's a bit too quick!!

At 6.30pm Yvonne had paid my entry fee (£4) and I was still being quite negative. "My legs are a bit tight" I muttered, as I broke into a warm up canter. "I think I'll just watch" I said. "You will bl#### well not I've just paid your entry fee"she replied.

I started to warm up and seemed to only notice the runners with go faster stripes doing strides. I felt even worse so I made a deal with myself to not actually race but to treat it like a run in the park. It seemed a good idea. Great plan I thought to myself.

The course consisted of two circuits of the beautiful Astley Park, starting at the park gates and running down the main drive, then a trot through the woods and finishing on a playing field. I resigned myself to the fact that I was to run. But it would be over with in less than half an hour. I could cope with that!

We lined up and we started. My cunning plan was backfiring within the first 20 seconds when I realised that the field had set off so quickly that if I didn't get my act together I would be in last place without any idea of where the route was because the rest of the field had disappeared into the distance without a trace. I started to breathe heavily and looked at my watch. I had done 1/2 mile at a pace that my legs were not too happy about doing and my lungs seemed to be complaining as well.

By the start of the second circuit of the park I had regained my composure and had started to overtake a few runners which gave me a psychological lift (I definitely was NOT in last place). I started to enjoy the course which rolled through the woods and crossed over a little stream. There was mud, which I like. I felt like the finish was getting nearer and I couldn't wait to see it. At the exit from the woods a marshal directed me towards the finish. "You must be joking" I said out loud, as I saw a flight of stone steps separating me from the field above me, where the finishing line was located.

The lactic acid was burning through my legs. (not pleasant) but I reached the top step without my legs going into a complete spasm. I ran for the finish and received a great cheer from the runners from Wigan Phoenix, especially Yvonne who had obviously finished several minutes before. They were very encouraging and invited me to join them for a warm down run, which I kindly accepted.

I very much enjoyed the evening and will probably do the run again, but a note of warning. If Yvonne rings you up on a Friday afternoon over the next few months, Be busy!!!!!!!!!!! It hurts.

P.S. For anyone interested in results. In a field of 70 runners I was the 3rd lady over 40 (there were only three ladies in this category). My time was a respectable 25 mins 49 secs. Not bad for the terrain apparently. I finished. Hurray!!!!!!!!!!