Les Croupiers Running club

Pre-race – some gentle running in the specified ‘athletes’ warm up area. Try to ignore the fact that most of the girls’ (definitely girls!) warm up pace was quicker than our race pace.  Do a few strides and hope no-one noticed.

After declaring our team present and correct, it was time to expose flesh, face the photographers and eye up, with a mixture of awe and fascination, the other runners.  Just before the gun went off we were quite literally herded into our pens.  A lamb (or maybe mutton) to the slaughter….

The course – 1 short loop, followed by 3 laps approx 2km each

A brief summary of the race as I remember

• Short loop – run hard, soak in the atmosphere, run harder
• Lap 1- run hard, enjoy the support, even manage a half-smile, run hard, keep pushing
• Lap 2 – run hard, appreciate the support ++, try to keep pushing
• Lap 3 – aren’t we there yet?, try (and fail) to push more when our wonderful support roared even louder than before, just keep running if the legs allow, beg for the finish

Obviously the rest of team might have a very different perspective on it.  This is how I would report their runs.

Les Croups ladies – giving it their all

• Katie – mixing it with some über-legged athletes
• Maria – overcoming pre-race nerves to do herself justice, keeping very strong to the end
• Jen –  true grit and determination to get round and finish - I heard from reliable sources that she was definitely only running one leg
• Liz – a tough run, but receiving plenty of truly well earned cheers all the way

Overall an amazing experience and very proud to have had the opportunity to wear a Croups vest at a team event of this nature. Well done team!! Enjoyable?  Mmm.  Well definitely earnt the post-race celebrations, and thankfully our team captain let us make the most of those! Thanks Phil and thanks to the groupies for their support during the race and company after. We are definitely still the best club in the world…

Libby