On Sunday 14th November, I took part in the Regents Park Remembrance 10K with my sister Fidelia. Although this event took place in Regents Park, it has nothing to do with the Mornington Chasers Regents Park 10K Winter Series (that series got cancelled last year due to COVID-19 pandemic). John came across this event a while ago when he was surfing the internet. He told me about it and I signed up. I then told my sister and she signed up. About a month ago, I asked John whether he had signed up or not. He said he had forgot and when he tried to enter this event, it was already full. What a shame. John couldn’t join me and my sister.
We were fortunate with the weather. It was not as cold as last Sunday and it didn’t rain. Therefore, I put on a t-shirt underneath my Comets vest instead of the long sleeved Helly Hanson.
My posterior cruciate ligament injury on my left leg was getting better. I had been resting for a week after the Herefordshire Half. I also bandaged my left knee with plenty of Rock Tape before the event. We arrived at the Regents Park more than an hour before the race as it is easier to find a free parking space along the Prince Albert Road if we arrive earlier. The start line was not outside the hub. It took us about 15-minute walk from the car to the start line near the famous fountain.
There were about four or five hundred runners doing this event. The Race Director announced that we’d have a 2-minute silence at 9am sharp followed by the start of the race. The start was very organised, with queues to get through the start line, but no one was pushing or shoving, probably because we all complied with the COVID restrictions and kept safe distance from each other.
During the run, I still felt the niggles at the back of my left knee but it was a lot less than last Sunday during the Herefordshire Half. The three laps came and went and I crossed the finish line in 1 hour 6 minutes 52 seconds. My sister finished in 59 minutes 32 seconds.
The finisher’s medal was very well designed and is easily one of the best in my collection. It is really solid and heavy. My sister and I also paid extra £12 each to buy the Remembrance Day T-shirt. They said the proceeds will go towards the Poppy Appeal Charity. I want to support this great cause.
It was so nice to return to the Regents Park after nearly 2 years of absence due to COVID. I have signed up another Regents Park 10k on Sunday 5th December. I really hope I’d be injury free by then. Let’s see!