Thanks for all the encouragement everyone gave me when my friend coerced me into signing up for The Race for Life 10k in my local park. I was absolutely dreading as I'm usually a solitary runner, and being in crowds exacerbates my vertigo making me extremely dizzy. My hearing impairment doesn't help either. But as I'm still fighting off breast cancer and have possible tumour on my ovary it seemed like the right thing to do.
But I turned up early and was introduced to Lester, one of the volunteers who would be with me during the intro to explain what was being said. He also made sure I was slotted in at the front of the starting funnel so that I wouldn't get jostled around. He was so lovely, listening to me telling him all about my problems and he explained that the marshals would be on had if I fell.
The noise from the PA was excruciating as I have hyperacusis (a painful oversensitivity to noise along with my deafness) and that set my tinnitus roaring, but I resisted the urge to go home and just hung onto to the railings until we were ready to start.
It was great being at the front as there was no jostling and I was careful not to go too fast.
Mr R was great, he came along on his bike and was able to cheer me on and various points and supply me with my water bottle.
I ran fairly steadily, although having used mapmyrun for a bike ride yesterday I was really confused as the feedback was less often and in km per hour rather than minutes per km, but I kept going, with my rock running track playing in my ear. At 8km I was flagging, and it was made more difficult by the 5k walkers who I needed to pass (it was s two lap course), and I ended up in the scrub at the side of the path, having a real wobble. But the Proclaimers came on my play list and in my head I was singing along,
"And I could run 500 metres,
and I will run 500 more,
Just to be the gal who runs 10 thousand k
Without falling on the floor.
Da da da da...."
And then I was at the 9k marker, the end in sight and the path was clear ahead. I even had a little left for a sprint finish for the last 100 metres, finishing at 54.20 before wobbling over to Mr R and falling on the floor.
So proud, I feel like I did when I first graduated from Couch to 5k, with a massive grin over my face.
Good old Mr R has just given me a celebratory glass of Prosecco.
Written by
Razouski
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Well done, you ran brilliantly! I am glad they were helpful and found ways to make it a smoother process for you. Your time was fantastic and you truly deserve your medal for both running and courage. Mr R is amazing too. Enjoy your prosecco!
He is lovely, and he was too very proud of me. He is still amazed that I took up running so soon after having a mastectomy, and then having got to week 8 of C25K had to have lumpectomy on the other side, and started again from week 1 2 weeks later. He can't run but he is a really good groupie.
Very, very well done! I was only thinking of you this week and wondering if you'd done it yet. Absolutely fantastic time too! Glad they were able to make some adjustments to make it a bit easier for you. 🏃🏻🍾
Yes, the Race for Life Team were really helpful n the end, and although I was terrible nervous, it was great feeling to finish . I was also the 7th person to complete the 10k race. I need to work on getting this silly grin off my face now.
Thanks Millsie-J , I was so nervous about it all but the guys from Race for Life were so brilliant and encouraging, and I feel a real sense of achievement.
I was so nervous my mouth went all dry right at the start, and I never usually run with water. Fortunately Mr R was on hand with my bottle, and cycled round passing it to me as the need arose 🚴. Bless 'im.
Wow, what a time! That is just brilliant - and with all those obstacles too. Glad you managed to overcome all the handicaps and enjoy your first 10k race. I'm a solitary runner aswell, although I don't have any physical reasons for being so, but you make me want to run in a race!
I still think I shall stick to my solo running for the time being, although I felt a real sense of achievement. There's so much faff at the start, and communal warm up exercises (when I like to stick to what I've done for my practice runs), and all that waiting around rather than just getting out of your front door (or car door) and running.
I realise now that I didn't take in any of the scenery, as I was so busy looking out for the course markings or being aware of the other runners. A very different experience. But I'm still grinning.
I'm hoping to be on the Isle of Wight the second week of October as my Dad is having an operation, so I'm looking forward to a run along the cliffs and seawall from Lake to Shanklin then Sandown then home. Can't wait.
yes love that route! My birthday is on 10th October and last year i did 10k on the 10th of the 10th, might have to recreate that! my brother and partner are doing the IW marathon on the 8th October! Hope your dad gets on ok with his operation .... x
I think I'm coming down on the 8th, so might get to watch part of the marathon. Dad's op is on the 10th, and then if all goes well I shall come home on the 12th. It's only a minor op so should be ok.
Good luck with recreating your 10k on the 10th of the 10th.
For the time being I will retreat to my solitary running, but I may think about doing another 10k sometime. Really I need to get my nerve up to do another Park Run first, as I dread these for the same reason. I might even try and fit one in next weekend when I visit my hubby in Wiltshire. I'm sure it will be more scenic than our local one.
It was a fantastic feeling when the finish line was in view and I could see the time. I put a real spurt on when I realised not only could I finish under an hour, if I flew the last few yards I would get in under 55 minutes, and I did. !!!
Oh Raz, what a brilliant acheivement...I'm in total awe of your courage and determination. Very well done to you and you thoroughly deserve your medal and prosecco😊xxx🍸👏👏
Thank you Oldfloss , I certainly couldn't have done this without you. It was your posts amongst others that got me back on C25K last October after having further surgery after completing week 8 and feeling so deflated at having to start again from week 1, trussed up like a chicken, to ensure nothing moved, and with my hand on my chest for added non-movement. You gave me so much encouragement, advice and guidance, it got me through. Thank you.
Congratulations on a fantastic first 10k! What a brilliant time too - and to have achieved that after what you have gone through recently is just inspiring. 🙂
Well done you! That's fantastic. I know you had your struggles (and that's just since graduating!!) And times you didn't know if you would ever get to 10k. So this is truly amazing. And so fast!!!
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