I had not run for 10 days due to sciatica but was due to run the Vitality 10,000 this week. I really wanted to run today and felt good when I got up. I waited for it to get light before setting off. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel when running so thought I would give it a go and I could easily turn back if I felt at all uncomfortable. The great thing about this event was I have a week to complete it. I had planned my route to avoid the country park with its hills and mud, but it meant that I ran along the road. I like a circular route from my front door and wanted somewhere fairly flatish for my first race.
The first 3 km I felt that I was plodding. The back felt great so I carried on. Once I got to 3 km I felt that I really got into my stride and it seemed to get easier. I had Strava talking to me every km. I thought I was hearing wrong as she seemed to suggest I was getting faster, but I put it down to the fact that a car had gone past as she spoke. Once she told me I had got to 10 km I carried on for a short distance as I didn't want Strava to cut my run short. I managed to complete the distance in 1:04:57 in my second best 10 km time. I am really happy with my time and after the first 3 km I really loved everything about that run. I really enjoy the 10 km distance and the headspace that I get from it.
The only issue I had was uploading my time. For some reason I couldn't link the activity from my Strava account (I'm really not very technically minded) so I had to submit manual evidence and a picture taken from my Strava account. It was a faff but I now have a confirmation email of my submitted time.
I'm really looking forward to receiving my first real bling (Strava digital bling just doesn't quite have the same appeal somehow). Here's to many more races.
Good luck to everyone running the Vitality 10,000 over the next week
