Stornoway Running and Athletics Club
World Island Games Rhodes 2007
Doleen Doleen's 10,000m
"Doleen, Doleen - Western Isles Team, Western Isles Team!"
"Doleen, Doleen - Western Isles Team, Western Isles Team!"
"Doleen, Doleen - Western Isles Team, Western Isles Team!"
For 23 laps or more the chants echoed round the stadium, the Western Isles Ladies Football Team proving that they had a talent for cheerleading as well (ably assisted by athletes, a tennis player, cylists, WIIGA dignitaries, friends and relatives)! But why cheer for only 23 laps when the race was for 25? Read on!
Doleen's heroic half marathon effort had taken a lot out of her legs, so much so that she almost decided not to race the 10k. However, in the end she decided to compete - her first ever track 10k. To help her cope with pace judgement, she concocted an elaborate plan (ably assisted by Shona, Adrienne and Bill Houston) which involved holding A4 sheets with 2, 4, 6, 8 or 200 up as she passed the finishing line - I don't know if it worked or not but I enjoyed watching Shona and Bill struggle to keep track of which lap she was on!
Despite the heat, after 5k she was going well and bang on target to break the 40 minute marker. For 23 laps the chants of "Doleen Doleen, Doleen Doleen, Western Isles team, Western Isles team!" kept her going. Then just as she needed it most it all went quiet. Had her supporters gone home? No! Imagine her surprise when the sound of the bagpipes filled the stadium! What was going on? Eilidh's Gold Medal presentation ceremony had started and Doleen ran the last couple of laps to the tune of "The Bays of Harris"! Pity it was such a slow tune, something with a faster rhythm might have helped her break 40 minutes!
The official lap counter (not Shona or Bill) caused Doleen some confusion by counting her down 4, 3, 2 and 1 lap to go. She put in an extra effort for her "last lap" and stopped - exhausted after her second huge effort of the week. Only for the Bermudan athlete behind her to come over and tell her that they both had another lap to go! Doleen had given her all but she picked herself and set off to finish the race - which she did in a very respectable time of 41m 33.67s (9th). She would have been close to her target of 40m if it hadn't been for her stopping a lap too soon!
As Doleen made her way back to the stand, once more the "Doleen Doleen" chants started up - what a fabulous reception! Doleen soaked up the atmosphere and applauded her team mates! Doleen later said that it was this kind of team spirit and support that 'made' the World Island Games.