What an amazing experience to be competing at the European Masters Indoor Track and Field Champs the week after the Elite Athletes Keely and Co had pounded the very same track at the World Athletics .My focus this year was to be “Track”! – my happy place to race and to venture to new arenas and comps outside of Yorkshire for my next racing challenge ! (I am already au fait with competing at international Marathons but logistics re timing of the heats /schedule /WU facilities / call room procedures / etc. at a new track were a whole new ball game).

So Torun, Poland was an opportunity not to miss to dip my toe into the international track Masters scene. Having already competed at previous Masters /Open Meets at Manchester Sports City, Lee Valley London plus EIS Sheffield earlier this year, I had already met a few fellow F60 GB athletes in my events, the  400m and 800m ( x2 athletes part of the quartet who had recently set a new World Indoor record for the 4x400m – so no pressure !) We were excited to be meeting again as part of Team GB . Kit was bought ( luckily birthday fell at right time in February for presents ! ) and my partner, Jonny, was on board to combine a holiday and a Master’s Track comp – ( fortunately football was on “international break” so no clash with his passion – perfect timing ! )Flights and accommodation were duly booked with Chris and Jed ( experienced Masters at these events ) recommending to stay in the old town at Torun then you can walk easily to the Arena everyday for competing.

Fortunately my schedule of races were well spaced and looked as follows : 26/3Arrival at Torun,  27/3 Registration at Arena to pick up bib numbers x3 ( front, back and the extra was to attach to your bag) +welcome goody bag with pre ordered t- shirt (memento). Time for a shake – out run by the River Vistula to stretch those legs and gear up. 28/3 F60 400m S-Final (1)13.44 29/3 F60 400m Final 30/3 F60 800m Rd1Heat 2 at 14:45 31/3 F60 400m Final at 21:13 1/4 Flight home .

Racing and logistics bear with me as there is a lot to explain if you are not familiar with track).

1.First race F60 400m afternoon so time for hotel breakfast and a walk by the river to find perfect coffee house to chill in and plan the day’s schedule . Walk to track and free entry for spectators (partner sorted ) then logistics re food / snacks plus warm up /drills.  Facilities were amazing – cast WU track but I found it v busy and a little daunting so I went outside and warmed up ( like I do on the paths by EIS) to quell my nerves.  Feeling proud in my first GB kit and visualising how the race may play out in my mind bearing in mind some of the athletes were 10 secs or more faster on paper than me.   But I was here to have the best experience and to fully enjoy and embrace this elite track and soak it ALL up !! ( I am always the positive).

Back to warm up drills inside, keeping to one lane, doing my “routine “that I have rehearsed plenty of times. I did keep an eye out on my competitors and we did exchange nervous chats and time to check what drills they were executing but I felt at home  – then it was time for call room 20-30 mins pre race time.  There is an electronic board that states the Call room scheduled time to arrive . You clerk in with a Track Official and spikes shoes are duly checked for approved length and style ( measured with a tool) and bib numbers front and back on vest are viewed as secured . Then you are directed to a row of seats where you are duly issued with your lane draw ( seeding based on PB and SB times that you declare and submit when signing up to compete).

A nervous 10 minutes then ensue- time for a last toilet stop , warm layers removed and placed in a box as you have to be “race ready “ to step straight out onto the track – box deposited ( belongings are transported to track side for you to pick up after the race ) You are informed where you will “ break “from your lanes to the inside track and “that’s it ladies out you go Good Luck ! “

I was in lane 4 , standing start and another athlete and x3 in blocks or crouch start . I am still learning the craft of starting (watch this space). I was SO excited and proud to be standing in that start line I had made it to Torun! We were introduced to the crowd and the camera man zoomed into your bib and face and I duly waved and smiled excitedly and pointed to my GB vest then On your Marks , Set and we were off !!

First time on the new track – looking back I was hesitant for some reason I think as the track was new and you have to handle the bends before you break I was cautious ( I certainly refined this for my 800m and had a great start !! learning all the time ) and settled in in the back straight in 4th/5 . I ran my heart out and finished 4th but had run a seasons best and was elated at 74.51s (position 1,2,3 at 68s and 69s) so had not made the final which on paper was no surprise. First in each heat /3 and x3 fastest losers to qualify but a SB is a SB (and a new club F60 400m record – ed.)  and I was so elated.  Waved to Jonny and official photos were taken then we stepped off the track and the high of emotion and adrenaline was immense! The gold medalist was first in my heat ! Great Italian Barbara Martinelli super fast . Then it was back to collect my kit and cool down and join Jonny for spectating further 400m heats. Watching athletes from ages 35 to 90 was incredible across all disciplines track and field events.

Next day was a day off with not making the finals so time for a spot of tourism and we took in a Joan Miro exhibition close to where we were staying in the Leaning Tower within the old medieval walls of Torun . Then back to the Arena to watch the 60m sprints that other Northern Master friends were competing in Dwain Chambers ex Olympic GB athlete M45 was competing but with a massive lead pulled up with injury 10m from the finish line managing to stumble across for 3rd place and qualified for the final as a fastest loser but sadly that was the last we saw of him as he withdrew with injury.

Race 2 800m Semi Final  – basically a repeat of all described in race 1 only this time four laps of the track. At my cafe stop for morning coffee -sticking to the same routine , I bumped into fellow F60 athlete Christine Anthony and we shared a table discussing the pending race and who we knew etc. X2 more athletes arrived and we passed the time chatting about home and our weekly training sessions  – all great networking and super supportive and great to feel at ease too . Once we were at warm up we were focused on ourselves and routines with a quick hi to check- in re call room times and reassuring smiles but basically keeping focus on the task ahead and kept to our own lanes to warm up Lane 3 /6 this time and I was determined to have a faster start at the gun.
Wave to the crowd, smile, enjoy. I had watched Heat 1 go first with Christine in – we were allowed to watch at trackside then straight in to our start. Discussions in the cafe had Christine predicting that I could finish and get to the final in terms of times.  It was the first 2 in each heat and next five fastest losers. I was out to race and execute a smarter start and hang in. Fortunately in my race I had the Italian Barbara and GB Virginia Mitchell who took a steady pace as they knew what they had to do to qualify easy. I tucked into 3rd after the gun (great start this time !) and knew on paper two other athletes were faster.  I hung on until the final lap and the race started lactic coming in at the top bend – hang in, keep form and pump those arms! Elke GB and Doris Germany sprint finished and I was 5/6 aah I had given my all again . Great picture of us all finishing within a second or two – very close ! I glanced at the clock trackside and another Seasons best (and another new F60 record) –  2:50.10.  Elated again!! Wow I’d been running 2:58/3:00 early season so had smashed my times.

At this point I didn’t know I had made the final ! We had the formal in a line picture taken and I went trackside to shout up to Jonny “ another SB am so happy“ then in the tunnel I went to collect kit other competitors were saying they thought had made it – the results were out swiftly that Jonny saw and greeted me with “You made it !! Unbelievable” – that was not what I expected.  I was out to enjoy and that was the icing on the cake Then to phone family and inform them all and a quick call to John Rothwell Striders Coach who I’d texted and in immediate reply I called him to share my news !! For the next few hours it was back to spectating and trying to relax and a large meal was needed. No Aperol allowed as I was racing again the next day !! Plans for a lovely river run and more tourism out the window – just eat, sleep, repeat!

Race 3 : 800m European Masters Final at 9:13 pm – what a time! Planning when to fuel and sustain energy levels. Same routine as proven, spectated in the afternoon to rest and bring on the happy vibes! Same tactics, thoughts racing ,warm up routine, drills, coffee at cafe. Met fellow athletes all good . Call room was the same – I was in the final I kept repeating and smiling to myself – enjoy , nerves but feel good nerves ! I had visualised the race and slept well- all prepared.  Jonny and I had found an outdoor gym and I’d had fun on the leg swing machines to loosen up! Anything to keep relaxed and a sense of enjoyment . Now to it Lane 5 ( some athletes shared lanes as mine were listed in the final (1 DNS).

Great start –  my those women were fast !! I was second last after the break then last but made the decision to overtake on lap 3/4 to move up a place – I held it at 50m to go and the Elle came past me and lactic engulfed me.  I held on as fast as I could and finished 8th but I loved it ALL – that grit and determination to hold it – time 2:52.18 (only 2secs slower than my SF and a great time). Elke admitted she had to pull something out to get past me as she didn’t want to be last! I was still elated – Photos repeat. phone the family repeat and the aah relax and watch some track action further 800m finals to come off my high. As the race was so late my celebration meal was a kebab ( only thing open) and double espresso and a mars bar ! WOW European Masters done . I had managed to see Jed Turner race in his 800 heats and had to catch other races on You Tube due to the scheduling times I was elated that he secured bronze in the M65 800m too. Next up the European Masters 2028 Glasgow !! Let’s hope we have more Striders treading the tracks for that one.