Signed Up for a 10k Run

[Razouski]

After much coercion from a friend, and having completed 10k in just under an hour yesterday I have given in and signed up for a 10k Race for Life that is taking place in three weeks in the park behind my house. It will be good to run for such a good cause especially after treatment for cancer myself last year. I often run in the park but have asked the organisers if they can give me an indication of the route so that I can do some practice runs on that route to try to work out where my vertigo will be challenged. I'm rather anxious as I struggle with being in the crowd at the beginning of Parkrun because of my hearing impairment as well as the dizziness. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

A great cause and you are so ready for it after your 10k yesterday! Massive respect for doing this despite your hearing difficulty/vertigo Razouski - really good luck 🙂

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When I did our local one they split the runners into runners, joggers and walkers. I would suggest you start near the front with the runners rather than being in the crowd. I started with my 7yr old in the runners and we were over the start line in seconds and passing others. If you are nearer the back it will be crowded and you will be passing by lots of walkers. Good luck with it. Once it starts and people spread out it should be better for you.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

That's very brave of you! Good luck!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate10]

That's a great time, well done!

If your friend also signed up, then stick with them for the first km at least. After that the crowds will have thinned out - in fact you should find that you are able to run in your own space sooner than that. I think that 50-60 minutes will have a lot of people - not so many that you feel crowded once you get going, but enough so you're not on your own should you feel unwell, and people do stop and help others.

Hope you enjoy the experience, and don't worry about completing 10k again before the big day. Chances are the course goes round in a loop, so if you get told the route you'll be able to cover it all without having to do the whole 10k.

I've not read your story, but if you are able to run a year after cancer treatment and despite vertigo and dizziness, it sounds amazing!

[Razouski]

My friend hasn't signed up as he's on a adapted (slower progression) C25k programme as he ruptured both quads last year and is part of his physio, and has lung damage from TB. I've been running/walking with him on my non running days to keep him motivated. He's promised that if I do this event he will find time to run at least twice a week now that school term has started (he's head teacher so works flat out).

Thanks for the advice though. I shall try and position myself near the front.

[Millsie-J]

Brilliant! Enjoy 😎🏅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Wow... as aver.. an inspiration to us all!

You will do this... and what a great time!!! My first 10 K was much slower!!!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Well done on your 10 K, that's just brilliant! How's your vertigo going? Any improvement?

[Razouski in reply to Curlygurly2]

Not really any better, but I have decided against the labrynthrectomy my consultant suggest I have. It involved drilling through my skull, then drilling out my inner ear. It sounded pretty ghastly and there was a risk of facial paralysis and an increase in my tinnitus, so I said a very polite, "No thank you."

How are you coping with yours?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Yes, that doesn't sound nice, or as if it would really offer you anything.

Mine is coming and going as usual, I had a bad reaction to some prescription drugs that I believe were given in error anyway...I had another bout of dizzy spells, not really bad, but bad enough - I class a bad one as when I'm crawling on my hands and knees and spewing lol! I still have a low level of dizziness, but I'm learning better how to deal with it. For me the worst triggers are usually turning my head, especially to the left, and loud noises. Avoid those and I'm not too bad.

I have an appointment with my specialist in October, he thinks I have Menieres disease, not sure if there's any treatment for that.

[Razouski in reply to Curlygurly2]

Oh, good luck with that.

[SueKen Graduate10]

Massive respect to you for deciding to go for it, I do hope it is a really positive experience.

[Razouski in reply to SueKen]

Thanks,

So do I. I am now starting to think about what I need to do in terms of running over the next three weeks. I'll also think about eating as I usually run early in the morning before breakfast, but the run is at 11 so I will need to eat something before that (I can't do bananas), first thing in the morning perhaps.

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Well done for signing up, and that's a really good time you have done. I would agree start with the runners or right at the front of the joggers and things usually spread out fairly quickly. Good luck.

[Razouski in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you for the encouragement. I will definitely try and get near the front. In fact if I tell someone who is organising it they may well help me I suppose.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Enjoy yourself. These things are fun! Races are always a mixture of peeps and they all rub along famously, with one aim, and that is to get round, be it billy whizz fashion or to perambulate

Doubtless, cake will be involved so what's not to like 😃

[Razouski in reply to misswobble]

Ooh, if cake is involved maybe I will get a little bit excited! Thank you for the encouragement.

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Excellent! You ran your 10k in a great time so you have no worries there. My experience of events is that there is quite often a massive crush near the front, where all the people who are chasing PBs are anxious to get off to beat the crowds. Once it thins out you can often run on your own almost I'm sure you'll do brilliantly, and I look forward to your race report!

[Razouski in reply to Anniemurph]

Thanks for the reassurance Anniemurph .