Thanet Roadrunner Abigail Cardwell has smashed two club records in less than one month.
Last month she travelled to London to take part in her first “Friday night under the lights 5k” race in Battersea Park.
She described the course as two laps of a flat route, with no sharp turns. Floodlights often get the best out of athletes and weather conditions were perfect.
Abigail said: “I was pretty nervous to be taking part in my first race based on timings but I had my coach, Cole Gibbens, with me to encourage me from the start line, which took away a lot of the anxiety.”
Many of the runners competing in the London series are top level athletes and runners are split into categories, depending on their predicted times. Abigail slotted in with a group of women with a similar pace, which kept her on target.
Her new Personal Best and club record is 18:25. The ladies 5k record was previously 18.48.
Most people treat themselves to a lay in and even a nice breakfast on their birthday (Sunday 14th May).
But Abigail chose to get up particularly early for a warm up run before the Saxon Shore 10k race that day. She described the race as ‘challenging‘ with the last mile uphill and a steep incline to the finish line. Despite this Abigail finished as first lady home and in second place over all in 38.49, breaking her own personal best and the previous club record of 38.57 which she set some time ago.
Abigail said that she has increased her core strength training to 3 sessions a week and doubled her mileage in preparation for the events.
Club Chairman Pete Heath said: “We’re very proud of Abigail. She’s a cracking runner, who is very focussed and committed. We’re sure she has much more to come.”
Thanet Roadrunners next race is the Sackett 5 and 10k race on Sunday 18th June.
