Awesome first 10k race...

Woke up a little nervous this morning, my first proper race ever!!

Set off early to meet others, as I was running with my partner's work colleagues, but boy was it chilly in Blackpool this morning, so changed my mind from shorts and changed into tracksters in the pub (coffee only honest).

Three loo stops later (nerves makes bladder small apparently) I find myself waiting at the starting line, with two minutes to go it started to rain, true Blackpool weather and windy on the way out, so at least it was behind for the last 5K

Can't believe how running in a race can increase your pace, was looking to run a 53m race, as I've run just over 55m in training, but to knock 6 mins off has made me very happy indeed, with a time of 48m55s.

I put this down to the 5x50 challenge, which I thought would have had the effect of slowing me down from tiredness but has really helped to increase my pace.

Need to look at chip time tomorrow in the local paper.

Well according to Garmin I'm 200m short of 10K, but this was an official race so I'll assume it was 10K :-).

I enjoyed it so much that I've bit the bullet this afternoon and booked a place in the Fleetwood Half Marathon in August, wanted to get today out the way, to see how I found a race before committing, although I have the Manchester 10K in two weeks.

Garmin stats:

connect.garmin.com/activity...

Enjoy your runs

[Malcy Graduate]

Wow - Phil, that's sensational! So proud of you, and you've given me an extra bit of encouragement for my own "oh my god" event next month.

Well done mate - you deserve it

[Hidden in reply to Malcy]

Cheers, is that HM coming up?

[Malcy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Not yet - that's not until September. It's the Great Trail Challenge in 4 weeks - the one I'm running the Lomond Hills to train for. I don't know why I entered because I used to hate hills. But I quite like them now ...

[Hidden]

Congratulations, what an inspiration you are

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Warmest congratulations Phil! I knew you could do it

[Hidden in reply to DeliaItaly]

Cheers Delia, seeing your runs recently, it looks like you'll be joining the 10K gang shortly.

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I do hope so! Seems such a long way off right now, but I am doing my best. And thanks to you and others like Sheila and Sue who are so encouraging!

anyway, savour the moment. You must be very proud Delia

[swanscot Graduate]

Wow, great pace, Phil. Well done on completing your first10K race in such style! I knew you'd do a fast time with your Garmin stats from the training runs, but a sub-50 for the first race is brilliant!

[Hidden in reply to swanscot]

When I first started planning this 10k malarkey I was hoping for a time of under an hour, then with training I thought I might get under 55m, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd get sub 50. I'm sure you can imagine I'm beaming ear to ear.

[magster Graduate]

what a great time - many congratulations

[Hidden in reply to magster]

Thank you

[PastyMan Graduate]

Superb run! Well done

[Hidden in reply to PastyMan]

Thanks, I know you've noticed the improvements 5x50 have bought also, who would have thought it.

[PastyMan Graduate in reply to Hidden]

... there is something freaky going on!

[BettyJane Graduate]

Well done Phil, great time.

[Hidden in reply to BettyJane]

Cheers

[dottiemay Graduate]

Fabulous Phil! And what a great time - congratulations!

[Hidden in reply to dottiemay]

Thanks, dead chuffed

[SBG356 Graduate]

I know I have already told you but wow, this is a great time Phil!! I can feel that pride and huge grin right here in London!! So, Blackpool then Manchester; are you just working your way around the country doing 10k's, building up to that HM??!! So pleased for you and well done on registering for the HM, knew you couldn't resist!!

Amaretto sours all round then to celebrate eh?!

Sue

[Hidden in reply to SBG356]

No Amaretto sours today, but after Manchester 10k definately (I know a lovely cocktail bar)

Which HM have you registered for you know you want to.

[SBG356 Graduate]

Sooooo funny!! You will be the first to know, promise

[Hidden in reply to SBG356]

I'm now going to stop teasing and just wait for the announcement.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Wow Phil thats an amazing time for 10K well done you, be proud very proud

[Hidden in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks, I don't think I've ever been so chuffed.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Congratulations on a stunning run! I'd be happy with that time for 5k!

Brilliantly done.

[Hidden in reply to greenlegs]

Cheers Di

[AliB1 Graduate]

Fantastic time!

[Hidden in reply to AliB1]

Cheers, following in your footsteps next...eek...HM in August

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You will be fine! Plenty of time to up the distance. I just wish i could run as fast as you!!!!

[gmab51 Graduate]

Congratulations on your 10k with a fantastic time,

[Hidden in reply to gmab51]

Thanks

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Congratulations- that is a brilliant time.

[Hidden in reply to ancientrunner]

Cheers

[janda Graduate]

Fantastic stuff Phil. I've now got a target to aim for in June (Hampstead Midsummer 10k). Amazing. Well done with that superb run: you must feel really chuffed about it. James

[Hidden in reply to janda]

Cheers James, I think your target should be 15-30 seconds per KM faster than your normal tempo speed and from previous blogs I note you move at some speed

[tantrumbean Graduate]

Well done, great time as well! I'm doing the Manchester one in a couple of weeks, too, but due my recent 3.5 month break I'm not exactly expecting to run it all - fancy giving me a piggyback?

[Hidden in reply to tantrumbean]

Thanks, piggyback umm umm umm

Have a fantastic day in Manchester, don't be suprised if you get swept along in all h excitement.

[tantrumbean Graduate in reply to Hidden]

As long as I don't get swept up by the broom wagon!

[vixiej Graduate]

Congratulations! Great run. Good luck in the next one too. Look forward to hearing about your half marathon training.

[Hidden in reply to vixiej]

Cheers, up to know I've managed a. 17.5K run a few weeks go, as part of HM training, but backed off distance due to these races, so will increase distance again in a couple of weeks

[notbad Graduate]

Quite simply WOW!!! Fab time, you must have been flying - congratulations on your achievement and you look fit as a fiddle in your new pic.

[Hidden in reply to notbad]

I loved it and everything has just come together this year, thanks for your kind words.

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Amazing! Really well done Phil, a truly fab time, you must be so chuffed!

[Hidden in reply to Rollertoaster]

Still smiling today thinking about yesterday, so yes, definitely chuffed, thank you

[Legion Graduate]

Congratulations Phil. That's incredible and so inspiring.

[Hidden in reply to Legion]

Thanks Legion, great to see you again, hope everything is going well.

[OldNed Graduate]

That's a fantastic pace. Well done you. I hope I can do the same in the Great Yorkshire Run in September.

[Hidden in reply to OldNed]

Looking at the distances and times you've achieved recently, you've definately get everything lined up for a great race, you could even sneak another 10K in before then

[TJFlute]

Great photo! and an amazing time!! 5x50 challenge=super fit runner You should be deservedly proud!

[Hidden in reply to TJFlute]

Thanks, 5x50 has really surprised me, but you'll know that feeling well from your amazing challenge this year hat off to you.

[rockchick69 Graduate]

Wow amazing run....this 5x50 lark definitely helps. I did my first 5km this weekend and usually it's 40-45 minutes....this weekend 37 I would like to work up to 10km, but a bit at a time....lol. Hope you Great Yorkshire run goes really well. Great piccie by the way

[Hidden in reply to rockchick69]

Thanks and wow on your improved 5K time, I think a few of us are shocked by the effect of 5x50.

Working up slowly to 10K is definitely my recommendation to keep injuries at bay. I added no more than 10% per run and week - well nearly

[Saruma Graduate]

I was stunned when I saw your race time on the Garmin group, Phil - amazing! Really well done

[Hidden in reply to Saruma]

Thank you, I was shocked on the day when it all feel into place.

[Miso_14 Graduate]

Just came across this post today.

Congratulations on completing your first 10k in style, great pace and sub 50- awesome man!! If I may ask what training plan did you use?

[Hidden in reply to Miso_14]

I devised my own as I had been injured using the bridge to 10K plan, built o quickly for me.

In effect I do three different run types per week, a easy paced run, a tempo run and intervals. I added 10% each week to the easy pace (sometimes I was naughty and added a little more).

To get my paces I used a couple of site, like this one:

runnersworld.co.uk/general/...

You enter a time and distance you've done and it works out your paces.

I got to 55m in training but in the day, the adrenalin carried me a little.

Give me a shout if you want anymore detail.

[Hidden in reply to Miso_14]

PS

Also found that cycling when I did the 5x50 helped, so maybe a bit of cross training on non running days

[Miso_14 Graduate]

Thanks Phil, was a bit lost there's so much to take in

I have not reached that stage where I can say I totally enjoy running, but I like a challenge and knocking one goal after the other satisfies me no end After managing to run 30m nonstop I got myself a GPS watch and decided to carry on with it, I like it now

I am looking for a decent training plan for 10K, came across the B210K by Samantha and found it a bit fast for me.

Is there another 5x50 challenge coming up?