The training paid off today with the first proper event I've run.
Although I was really looking forward it, I got quite nervous the last couple of days, more due to not quite knowing what to expect on the day especially with all the practical stuff.
I got some advice from someone who's run events before, including take your own safety pins!
I got up an hour and a half before I had to leave and made coffee porridge, I usually run fasted in the morning but thought I may need the extra energy today, it's very good by the way. 😊
It was misty and colder than initially forecast so I popped a long sleeved top over planned outfit and set off with my long suffering partner giving me a lift even though it's his birthday.. 😋
The route was ideal, same as my parkrun and where I do my weekly long run along the river. I mostly followed other runners to collect my number (there were plenty of safety pins), but then couldn't work out where the chip was, turned out to be attached to a sticky pad on the back of my number.
The organisation was a bit poor, I followed more people to find the start, took off the long sleeve and stood around shivering until a man came and shouted at us to line up and sub 40s to the front, although where "the front" ended was anyone's guess!
And we're off, a short walk to the starting line and then everyone started running alot more easily than parkrun. I'd made the decision to run music free and worried I'd get bored but actually found I felt more focused and could really hear my breathing.
The route was lovely, the sun came out, I was a bit distracted by needing a wee but kept my pace steady and my breathing even.
I was running at a slightly faster pace than planned but it felt good and I knew I had the stamina to keep going. It was a great atmosphere and the route is beautiful with lots of encouraging all the way round. After about 3.5 we started to see the fast runners coming back which was so inspirational, then I started heading and I was passing people further back, also inspirational.
There was a water station that I went pass twice but decided against stopping as despite a bit of dry mouth, I felt hydrated enough.
I was still feeling fairly strong and started to think I may even make my partners prediction of 55 minutes (clearly insane).
But the last 2k were a bit harder and I needed to push myself to keep the same pace and didn't increase as much as I hoped. My body said no way would there be a sprint finish, I was looking for my partner for some support but he was nowhere to be seen! Then my legs took over, clearly conditioned to the final sprint, and I went for it. Then I heard my partner, cheering me on and passed two girls in front to the finish!!
Except then I heard him shouting I hadn't finished yet, and spotted the line in front of me and got overtaken again! 🤭 Note to self, make sure you cross the finish line!!
But, wow what a fantastic experience, is it bad that I already want to do it again?!
No official time yet, but Garmin says 56.40 which I'm thrilled with. 😁😁
Oh and bling, and event t shirt!
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
