Apologies in advance but this is going to be a long one as I have just had the most amazing day and wanted to share it.
After graduating from C25K back in February I started ju-ju- 's 10K plan, and to give myself some focus I entered the Vitality London 10000. The plan was to reach 10K then have 5 or 6 weeks of consolidation before the race. What could possibly go wrong?
Unfortunately just before finishing the 10K plan I picked up a hamstring injury and put my running on hold. With only three weeks to go until the run I felt I was able to get out again, and devised a mini plan to get me to a position where I felt I would be able to run in London. I started with some run/walks from the early weeks of C25K, then gradually built up the distance until I managed an 8km last week, but still had doubts about my injury and had no confidence. So the first time I would be attempting a full 10K would be the race itself. Not the position I hoped I would be in.
Fast forward to today, race day. A light breakfast and then down to the station to catch the train to London. Everyone else on the train looked like they were heading for the run too. I arrived at Green Park in plenty of time, dropped off my bag, and found my starting pen. I was feeling a bit apprehensive by now, especially with the warm weather that was forecast. Why was I doing this? 10K? Me? How could I have been this stupid?
The elite runners, including Mo Farah, went off at 10.00 and it was a further 20 minutes before my group got to the start line. The start was well organised with everybody able to get running before the timing mats at the start. Off we went.
As we reached Trafalgar Square, less than one kilometre in, the lead runners were already passing us heading for the the finish. How do they do that! The first kilometre was bunched up and slow, which suited me fine as I didn’t want to go off too fast. Slow and steady was going to be order of the day.
As the kilometres went by I kept looking at my pace on my watch and it was faster than wanted and I tried to slow down. I was going to pay for this towards the end. At the first water station I discovered it’s nearly impossible to drink from a paper cup while running and ended up with most of it down my shirt.
We reached the 5km marker at the Bank of England and turned for home. It was very warm by now so the second water station at 6km was a welcome sight.
Soon there was only 1km to go, I WAS going to finish this, then 800m, 400m and 200m to go. Buckingham Palace and the finish line were in sight. I crossed the line and stopped my watch. When I entered the race I was injury free and the 10k plan was going well, so I estimated an optimistic time of around 1 hour 10, so I was shocked to see I did it in under 1 hour 3 minutes. I would have been happy just to finish but this was a bonus.
So now I am back home, feet up, reflecting on a great day. The event was so well organised, the crowd along the route were great, cheering us all on and the weather was lovely, if a bit too warm. I now have my first 10K under my belt and a medal to prove it.
I may not have posted very often on the C25K or Bridge to 10K forums but I was always here, lurking, listening and taking the advice from all you great people. Thank you!
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Ran my first 10k by accident...!
My first 10K (apparently)
My first race - Yateley 10k
Boxing Day and my first 10k! 🎄🏃🏻♀️🙌🏼
