10k - One year on........: Hello fellow... - Bridge to 10K

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10k - One year on........

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10
23 Replies

Hello fellow runners!

Just over a year after I puffed and wheezed my way to my first ever 10k distance run, I competed in my second organised 10k event on Sunday.

The annual Silsoe Stride takes place on tracks and farmland around the Wrest Park estate. There are 5k and 10k events and several children's races. There was a good turnout and a friendly atmosphere on this warm but breezy Sunday morning.

After registration, we were given a warm-up session and then the 10k race started. As usual, I had placed myself in the middle of the group, so it took a while to cross the start line after the clock had started, but we were all soon bounding across the fields opposite Wrest Park house before turning and heading onto a very uneven farm track. The 1km marker soon came up and there was a brief smooth tarmac section, albeit uphill, before being directed onto the edge of a ploughed field where it quickly became obvious that I was going to have to be very careful not to trip or roll an ankle.

As with my first event, I followed the advice of our running coach at work and looked for someone to tag onto. The first guy I ran with seemed to slow at the 3k marker, so despite there being quite a gap to the next group of runners I decided to gently ease past him. I slowly gained on 2 more runners and caught them up on a steep hill just before the water station at 4.5k. We ran together through the woods, being extra careful not to trip on exposed tree roots and ruts in the track. The 3 of us soon caught up with and passed a younger runner who seemed to be having issues. As we finally emerged from the woods, one of our group started to drop back, leaving me and the other guy running alongside each other, making the odd observation and offering a few words of encouragement to each other as we again joined an uneven farm track and then another track alongside a ploughed field.

The 9k marker saw us running through a carpark on a small business park and we both sped up. We turned onto the final stretch which was again across the fields opposite Wrest Park house and could see the finish line in the distance. That last 900m was very hard work, with my co-runner deciding that he was going to go for it. I kept up with him right up to the very last few metres, where he managed to find something extra and just beat me to the line (by 0.02 seconds according to the race results). He turned and shook hands with me saying that I had kept him going from about the 7k marker, which was nice to hear.

I was over the moon to find that I had finished in 12th place overall and 3rd in my age group (M50) with a race time of 47:29 and chip time of 47:18. My chip time was faster than the 10th place runner, so I must have faith in myself and try to start nearer the front next time!!

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MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68
Graduate10
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23 Replies
Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Fab report Mike, and such a brilliant time! The camaraderie between runners is something else isn't it...everyone benefits.

Well done and super photos to remember the day!😎xx

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

Thanks Jan. Yes, they are a great bunch and I am really enjoying these organised events. Ampthill Trophy 10k next!

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate10

amazing time and great post! I would have been much slower and much much redder in the face :D

well done and congratulations

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply tobackintime

Thank you. It is amazing how far you can come in just a year. My first 10k was way slower!

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10

That sounds like a lovely event, Mike, and very friendly. I must pull my finger out and run some 10k races, once I have got this HM out of the way. 10k is one of my favourite distances. And you did so well! What a time. Well done that man.

Sadie-runs x

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

Thanks Sadie. I must pull my finger out and reach HM distance!

I knew it! You're fast Mike, front of the pack fast. I bet you'd smash your local Parkrun...

🏃‍♂️⬅ You.....................🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ ⬅ Everyone else.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply to

LOL, not quite clubberlang.

My last Parkrun I finished in 16th and came 2nd in my age category VM50-54. Time was 21:02.......

in reply toMikeJones68

21:02 😮 That's what I call smashing it Mike! 🤣 You're flying.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply to

It nearly killed me!

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Your a flyer Mike.

Fab report.

👊💥🏃‍♂️⭐️👏👏

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toTbae

Thanks Robert. Hope you have fully recovered from the IC?

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply toMikeJones68

Yes Mike thanks sorted out both Achilles.

Buried in the garden.🙈🤣

Perhaps have to do C25k again🙈🤣

Keep on keeping on Mike, you are inspiring.

👊💥🏃‍♂️⭐️👏👏

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toTbae

Thanks Robert, gardening is tough work!

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

A great report of a great event! What a great time!

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toSaskAlliecat

Thank you :)

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Wow Mike, what a race, what a time, and in ploughed fields too. You are a ⭐️

I like to chat to people as I go along too, but not everyone feels the same and like to conserve their breath . It’s a good way to suss them out 😂.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy5. I was hoping for around 50 mins, so was very happy with the time. I obviously didn't get the other guy to talk enough as he just pulled away from me in the final few metres.

Clairecandothis profile image
ClairecandothisGraduate10

Wow what a time! Well done you, that is sooo fast! I love your report too, like we were running with you. X

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toClairecandothis

You guys are always with me on my runs :)

Clairecandothis profile image
ClairecandothisGraduate10 in reply toMikeJones68

Awe I feel like that too! You, Flick and Ted were definitely with me on my half marathons! And Floss with Slow and steady. Crazy to think how quickly time has gone by too! X

alisonx profile image
alisonxGraduate10

great post & great run! wow that is a time :-) well done 🏆🙌

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10 in reply toalisonx

Thank you, alisonx :)

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