Southport Mad Dog 10k - 5th Feb 2017.
Intro:
Well it's 2017 and a new year of running has finally started for me. I have been taking it exceptionally easy since my last event the Snowdonia Marathon back in Oct 2016 as I sadly developed a knee problem which I suspect is meniscus tissue damage or a tear, and have been getting bouts of knee pain at the start of runs and occasionally during the day at work.
I've done my best to rest it and severely limit my runs and distance, and although it's helped a bit it hasn't cured it or healed it. The decision was made to back off on the big runs I had planned for 2017 and just try and do the easier shorter ones that I could get away with not really training for and saving wear and tear on my knee.
So my first run of the year on my calendar was only a 10k and in my local town of Southport, and as we hold the often voted 'Best 10k' event the Hesketh Round Table Southport Mad Dog 10k event I had no excuse.
This is a bang on cracking event year on year and has the best goodie bag, t-shirt and medal combo you will ever get for your money, and although places are around £28 all the profit goes to charity and local good causes, and it is worth every penny....hence my return this year after a trip to the Grizedale Half Marathon last year, which meant I missed last years. I was looking forward to this years return.
The night before:
As per usual the night before involved feet up and as much rest as possible and I luckily was not in work the night before so could get some leg rest. An evening on Facebook ensued as I kept up with fellow running friends who would be going and I had a meet up arranged for afterward with fellow runners from my charity running group Run or Cake.
After hours of Facebook chat and plenty of food which in this case was a big garlic bread with cheese and tomato and a veg pasta which I just couldn't manage and it was time for bed....
The Morning:
Well it was the morning itself and a fairly decent sleep was had and I was up at 7am and ready to select my running kit for the day. This to be honest was the hardest thing I had to think about for the race itself as I was comfortable with the distance and having done the event three times before I was extremely familiar with the set up and the route.
Mad Dog and Southport itself is notorious for extreme weather with it being run mainly down the seafront and along the Promenade. It is always a topic of conversation on whether we will get blown into the sea or the surrounding marshland as we attempt to stay on our feet in what is often 25-30mph winds!
This year thankfully was a no wind year, but temps were estimated at 3C with a feels like factor of 1C. This would make it difficult to select clothing for the run, especially if you are a fatless skinny runner like me who turns blue in the cold.
I eventually opted for compression shorts with a pair of dual layer Karrimor running shorts, Skins compression socks, a Sub Sports short sleeve compression top and then a Run or Cake vest followed by a Run or Cake t-shirt and hat and gloves. You could pretty much say I had it covered.
My all important shoe selection for the day was my trusty Hoka One One Clifton 2's, a great all round road running shoe which hasn't failed me yet.
Breakfast was peanut butter on wholemeal toast x2 and a black coffee, and I was good to go.
Transport was a swift walk to the Fairways park n ride car park where the trusty complimentary double decker shuttle service and parking had been put in place by the event organizers the Hesketh Round Table.
The Hesketh Round Table is a group of volunteers who give up their time for free to raise money for various charities and good causes throughout the year, and without their tireless efforts non of this would be possible. I thank them all for all they do and for putting on such a well known and professional 10k event, and one that is not merely profit orientated only like a typical mid range expense event.
Mad Dog HQ:
Safely at the event after a friendly bus ride with fellow Run or Caker Pat and it was time to make my way to the Sports Hall at the school at which the event is located as a HQ.
The sports hall was buzzing already and I collected the Worlds best goody bag which among other things included a Mad Dog buff/neck warmer, a compact Mad Dog back pack and a Mad Dog sweat towel with zip pocket for using in the gym etc, a discount booklet for the local DW Sports shop and various discount vouchers for food and also loads of food snacks and a drink etc in the goody bag itself. I got my correctly sized t-shirt in advance (a lesson many events could learn from) after handing in my slip that contained my run number and t-shirt size I was keen to get out of the hall as soon as possible.
I suffer with anxiety and being in a crowd that has no order or control then makes me start to feel really uncomfortable. A race crowd is different as it is fluid in a particular direction and easily negotiable.
I spent the rest of the pre race time looking out for fellow #cakers and other running friends I knew were taking part. I spotted a fair few, Helen, Vicky, Nicky, another Vicky, Pat, Rita, Emma, Sophia, Catherine, Steph, Anne, Sarah, Jodie, Barry, Chris and others I can't remember at the moment.
A quick pop back into the sports hall to strip down to my running gear and put my bag in the free and well organized bag storage area and I was good to go. This is another credit to the event and it's organization. Some of the £50 10k events out there could learn from this.
Next it was photo op time at a pre arranged meet up at the winners podium before the race start, as we had arranged to get together for a group photo of the Run or Cake group in our Run or Cake tops. As per usual the photo didn't go to plan as several went to the loo 5 minutes before, and as we all know porta loo queues don't come in less than 30 minute waits :)
We took a few pics of the ones who did make it and then set off for the start line as it was nearly race start time.
The Start line:
10:40am was official race start time and another bonus and well thought out aspect of this event is the fact that it has starting pens. These are all based on your estimated run time so as to ensure you are running with people of a similar speed and pace so there is no mad rush at the beginning as faster runners try and get past slower runners, and so slower runners don't get crushed or pushed by impatient faster runners.
Each pen has a breed of dog assigned to it, as does your run number, so the speedier runners were 'Greyhounds' for example and then various slightly slower breeds all the way down to 'Bull dogs'. It is a system that works well, especially when you can get to your pen later and not have to stand at the back of 2500+ runners!
We were honoured with the presence of special guest and starter Liz Yelling as well, which was a nice touch by the Mad Dog organizers.
I got in my pen and decided to stand near the back of my group the greyhounds as I wasn't too confident on my speed and fitness at the time and expected them all to go off really fast. I was happy to take my time if needs be.
And we're off!.....
Off we went for the first stretch that runs straight to the coast rd, and thankfully they didn't all go off at crazy speed so I didn't get left behind. I managed to settle into a decent pace as we turned the first left corner and onto the coast road itself, and we started our almost 4k stretch down the seafront.
I run this stretch all time so am familiar with it's never ending feeling so I looked around a bit and tried to appreciate the coastal views to distract my mind from the opening pace and effort. I managed to clock the first mile in 6:45 to 6:50 minute mile pace which was quicker than I wanted for the start but I was happy to take it and slow a little to get nearer the 7 minute mile target I had. 7 minute miles would just scrape me a new PB if I could keep it up, I was not expecting to be able to do so to be honest with the lack of training mileage in recent months.
As per usual we were entertained along the way with various bands and singers as we went, yet another good touch by the organizers. First up was the ever popular Batala Band from Liverpool an ever present at this event.
Next up was Pelvis Presley (or whatever we nick name him) who is always singing at the pier which is a welcome sight after the long stretch of coast road we just covered.
Once past the pier it's past the Ocean Plaza and the DW Fitness gym and onto the fairground roundabout and a left turn as we go around the outside of the fairground car park and head toward Victoria Park and the Promenade.
At this point we are just about hitting the 5k mark and are half way there. This is the point you evaluate how you are doing run wise and pace wise. If you are lucky you can check to see you have stayed on the pace you wanted and try and continue on, or if you have ran a little more comfortably then push on for the home stretch.
Thank fully for me I had maintained the sub 7 min mile pace and was on target still, and I wasn't puffed out so felt confident I may just be able to hang on.
We approached the start of the Promenade itself and passed another good band and headed of toward a water stop for those who needed it. No water required for me as it wasn't a hot or warm day and I didn't want to lose time overall.
We continued along the prom and then under the pier and then the Marine Way Bridge, all £5 million of it! we passed a huge rock choir at this point too, very good too!. Then past one of my workplaces the Ramada Plaza Hotel and past the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and then back onto the prom.
Onward we went and probably now at about 7k we passed another singer outside the Worlds Smallest Pub, needless to say it didn't take long to run past.
End of the prom now and a left turn past the Shoreside Church and back toward the coast rd for 8k and another run past the fabulous Batala Band and a right turn at the roundabout to take us down our last stretch of coast road.
This is the stretch were if you have anything left you try and push, although it is deceivingly long and it is not helped when you can see the finish line off to your right and you feel like you are not getting anywhere fast. Thankfully as this was not a windy year I was still maintaining sub 7 pace and was desperately hopeful for a PB.
The final right turn appeared and 9k had just been passed and it was now the home straight back to the school etc. This is your last chance to push and if you are lucky overtake a few people as you go and bump up your overall finishing position.
I had been getting nowhere with the people around me pace wise as they were all pushing on and I was happily placed behind a group of 5-6 runners as I got to the last 100 yards or so and I was happy to hang on as the PB was definitely going to happen. As per usual I opted for the last spurt of energy for 50 metres or so to pass the group in front of me and over the line for a new PB time of 43:23 chip time which was an improvement over my previous Mad Dog PB of 44:50 and my overall 10k PB of 44:10!
Interestingly enough I was runner number 131 and I actually finished in position 131, I also was 40th in the Male 40+ category! ...
Finished:
It was time for the always eagerly awaited Mad Dog medal and this year it was a James Bond themed 'Live and Let Drool' medal to match the great t-shirt we got this year. Also a welcome bit of fruit a banana or an apple to get some energy and carbs rapidly back into the muscles and a welcome bottle of water.
It was time to stand and welcome in fellow running friends and #cakers and see how they got on. I managed to see Steve, Chris, Barry, Mark W, Tracey, Catherine, Nicola, Vicky, Susan, Anne, Steph..and the list goes on...
Back to the school to pick up my bag and get showered and changed before the mad rush. Or so I thought, sadly the school had decided to not turn the hot water on in the showers this year, which I suspect was a subtle way of preventing us using them.
Needless to say I did not partake in a Victorian shower and went for the deodorant option instead and a change of clothes etc.
Next it was time to get back to town and onto the cakers meet up in the good old Sandgrounder Pub on Lord St. I spotted the huge queues for the buses and instantly regretted hanging around too much at the finish. I figured I'd speed walk instead back to town which was roughly 15-20 mins walk away and the queue and trip would take about the same, so off I went for a good stretch of the legs and a recovery walk!
The #cakers meet up:
As per is the norm at a running event were there are a decent sized bunch of Run or Cakers running (near on 20-25 this time) we arrange a meet up at a decent sized pub nearby so we can get a drink, a bit of food and have a good chat and catch up. Especially as we are a Facebook based charity running group so do not often get to see each other.
This is also a good chance to catch up with a few newer members of the group and a few that have come back after a bit of time off. It is also a chance to gain new members as well.
As per usual The Sandgrounder Pub on Lord St very kindly agreed to reserve a decent sized area for us in the pub so we could all sit together as we pottered in at our own pace and sat down for a drink or two and a bit of food once appetites returned.
I had a nice veggie burger with additional onion rings which went down well as I have recently being eating a mainly vegetarian and dairy free diet and it seems to be working fine. It's been hard to try and maintain my already light body weight though as my selection of food is limited and I get lazy and often skip proper sized meals. I am working on improving this, but it has certainly helped my running and fitness as my time confirms and I didn't lack on energy during the run.
A good time was had by all in the pub and after several pints it was time for goodbyes and a short walk home and a hot shower and the remains of my previously left Veg pasta....
Final thoughts:
A great day had by all I reckon and a massive THANK YOU to the Hesketh Round Table and all their volunteers on the day and the days before and after for all the set up and take down etc. Thank you to the Sea Cadets along the course and the HQ, and thank you to all the bands for entertaining us as we went.
As always it was a great event and one to be proud of and confirmation that the Mad Dog 10k rightly deserves it's nomination and award almost every year as the 'Best 10k in the UK'....
Massive thanks to all the #cakers who attended the event and indeed made the effort to attend the meet up afterward instead of shooting off home. We are a close group and all efforts are appreciated as always.
See you at the Btr Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Miler on the 2nd April folks!....
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