First 10k Bling and a PB

[Razouski]

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.

[LegalLorna]

Oh my! Well done - every time I feel like I can't do it from now on I'm going to read this post and tell myself I'm whining about nothing!!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Well done! You should be so very very proud of yourself 🏅🥇🏆

[Razouski in reply to Maddee_6333]

I am still grinning from ear to ear.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

And so you should be!

[Hidden]

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!

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

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.

[SueKen Graduate10]

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. 🏃🏻🍾

[Razouski in reply to SueKen]

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.

[SueKen Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

No - keep the silly grin as long as possible - you've earned it 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

You keep that grin... as long as you blinking well like!!!

[Millsie-J]

Yeahhhhhhh!!!! Well done, a brilliant race and a great achievement. You were so brave to go for it, and it paid off, terrific!

[Razouski in reply to Millsie-J]

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.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Fab stuff! Many congratulations to you and that's a brilliant time too 👏👏👏

Considering you were dreading it I think you did pretty well 🙂

[Razouski in reply to Irishprincess]

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.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

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!

[Razouski in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

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.

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Wow! congratulations! what a super fast time too!

sounds like you were looked after well by the volunteers and the lovely Mr R! well done that girl

[Razouski in reply to aliboo70]

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.

[aliboo70 Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

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

[Razouski in reply to aliboo70]

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.

[aliboo70 Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

I traveled round to different points last year to watch, i guess its more exciting when people you know are running though!

[Irish-John Graduate10]

Very happy and pl;eased for you R - wear it with pride, you earned it

[Razouski in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John - I've actually been wearing my big silly grin all day, and have hung my bling on the mantelpiece for now.

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

Well done.

Grabbing an opportunity, even when it was outside your comfort zone, is so often worthwhile (note to self) and pays dividends in the end.

Brilliant report.

Are you going to do it again though or retreat to solitary running?

[Razouski in reply to IannodaTruffe]

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.

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

As so many have said, well done. A lovely race report

[Razouski in reply to RunaroundSue]

Thanks RunaroundSue , couldn't have done it without the encouragement of people in the forum.

[Hidden]

Fab report! Fab ! Fab! Time! Congratulations!👏👏👏👍🍾😀😀 ! And I hope you got a fab medal for your great achievement!

Happy running!😀😀

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I have a nice medal on a pink ribbon, which has pride of place on the mantelpiece at the moment.

[jacky-f Graduate10]

Very well done, what a fantastic time. It's a great feeling isn't it.

[Razouski in reply to jacky-f]

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. !!!

Go us....

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

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🍸👏👏

[Razouski in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I was so nervous, didn't feel courageous at all, but once I'd started I knew I just had to keep going. It was such a good feeling at the end.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Inspirational.. that is all... just amazing.

I was out this morning and weirdly... I decided I needed The Proclaimers... have not played then for months!!! Clearly you were sending the vibes

Everyone was really helpful..but you...YOU were the one that did it, and your strength and determination to achieve all you do is just incredible

I feel humbled by your posts.... and proud to know you!

Here is to you!!

Many, many more happy runs xxxx

[Razouski in reply to Oldfloss]

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.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

You are so, so, welcome and I am honoured to have played a small part in your incredible journey. x

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

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. 🙂

[Razouski in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj39 , I was thrilled to get a PB, and hope the friend who talked me into doing it is proud of me too.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Well done! Great time too! 😃💪👍🏃‍♀️✔️🥂🏅

[Razouski in reply to misswobble]

Thanks miss wobble, I always appreciate your encouragement. 😀

[Vonnie63 Graduate10]

Huge congratulations you should be so proud of yourself 🥂

[Razouski in reply to Vonnie63]

I am, thank you . 😀

[Davoda Graduate10]

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!!!

Proud of you girl! 😀👏🎉

(And yes, get back to Parkrun!!!!)

[Razouski in reply to Davoda]

Thanks Davoda, I think it was in the spring when my Achilles were bad and then I completely lost my Mojo, but I'm glad I persevered. 🤓

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

That is absolutely fantastic, well done! I'm really pleased the organisers helped you with the start, but you did the rest

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Wow! Fantastic run, wonderful time, inspirational story 😊

[Razouski in reply to skysue16]

Thanks skysue16 , I'm still basking in the glory.

[Decker]

Congratulations!!! I love that Proclaimers song. Going to recite your version to myself when I'm ready to give up from now on

[Razouski in reply to Decker]

Thanks. I often find myself creating alternative lyrics to songs/tracks when I'm running. It helps keep me going, especially on longer runs. 🤓

[Shireen59 Graduate10]

Thats wonderful! Youve given me some inspiration!

[misswobble Graduate10]

I sing alternative lyrics too! It's fun int it 😃

[Razouski in reply to misswobble]

🎶 Indeed it is 🎶

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Blooming marvellous - and an incredible time too. The most well deserved glass of prosecco ever. So pleased it went well for you.

[Razouski in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you ancientrunner .

[runningnearbeirut Graduate10]

54:20! Wow, that was super speedy!!!

Very very well done. A great example for us in persevering against the odds.

Huge respect to you.