British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships - Lee Valley, London

[Wed 16^th Mar]

On the 26th February, I travelled to London to compete in the British masters indoor track and field championships - held at Lee Valley indoor stadium. The championships were held over two days and there were approximately 570 athletes competing.

Never having ran indoors before, I was not sure what to expect, but I knew there would be an incredibly high standard of veteran athletes. On the Saturday, I watched the action and also tried out the 200m carpet track surface, which was steeply raised on the bends.

Race day came on the 27th - my race being scheduled for 1.15pm. I was competing in the 3000m distance - which meant 15 times around the 200m track. My coach gave me a warm-up session first on the outdoor track and then on the 200m straight indoor warm-up track.

We were then called up to the call-up area with the other athletes in my race. I lined up with the European/world champion in my age category - Jane Pidgeon - who was in lane 2. I felt quite relaxed and excited on the start line - then the gun went and we are away.

The pace was so fast, I crossed over from my lane 5 and stayed right in the inside lane, which I had been told to do so I hardly noticed the steep embankments. I held my own - and with good support from club mates, I finished 2nd over 45 and 4th in my race. My time was 12.34 - the race was won in a time of 10.25.

A great experience and good fun - one which I will certainly return to next year.

There were some amazing performances particularly in the older age sections. The oldest competitor was 80yrs and he achieved a British record with 400m in 88.04. Kath Stewart from nsp - 71yrs broke the British record for 800m in a time of 3.17, so there is hope for everyone - don't ever give up.

Helen Morris