Race for Life in tropical heat....!

[Joanne37]

Well to say I was a bit nervous was an understatement. Firstly I was working myself up trying to work out which group to go in (runners, joggers or walkers). Secondly I always run in the morning on an empty stomach and when its cooler. This was a 5k race in 30 degree heat at 11am Thirdly my sisters, brothers in law and nieces wanted to come and cheer me on which was amazing but added some pressure im not used to and it made me nervous in case i couldnt do it. Also my once magic trainers are beginning to hurt. My feet are killing me this morning so maybe i need to sort out gait analysis and get some proper ones - i was nervous about my trainers causing pain. Lastly the thought of running in a group was scary - trying to match my pace to someone else, what to do if people stop right in front of you or you have to stop in front of someone. Lots and lots of eeks! Well it went well. It was blisteringly hot which was really hard to contend with. Not run in anywhere near that heat before. It got to the point my drink in my water bottle was actually hot and there was very little shade and no breeze so it was just relentless. It was sweaty, gruelling and really hard work but i managed it in 45 minutes which is my fastest time so far. I did have to walk the middle 0.5k or so which i feel massively disappointed about but there were some bloody big hills and no shade and i just didnt have the puff to get up the biggest hill. It was hard to match jogging with other people so i dont think im ready for parkruns or a running club. It was my second goal to be able to do this but the perfectionist in me isnt happy i didnt run the whole way so im thinking about doing another race for life later on this year - we didnt have to sign in so i guess i could work to keep running 5k at a decent pace and i might go to one of the later ones in the year and do that. i know thats a bit naughty as i wouldnt be raising money a second time but i might think about doing it again. being part of the atmosphere is amazing and if i can do the whole thing i will feel more deserving of the medal I got yesterday. However hard it was its nowhere near as hard as it is to being going through cancer, surviving cancer or missing someone. To all those people out there who are taking part in the race well done.xx

P.S Well done Andy Murray. My heart was in my mouth for the last few points and i was squeezing the hand of my poor little niece who just didnt understand! Just goes to show what determination, training and hard work can do!

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Well done! x

[magster Graduate]

I was also out running for Race for Life in the heat yesterday with my daughter and one of her friends. You are right it was gruelling to say the least and almost missed the water station as it wasn't easy to spot!. I am not sure where you ran but we had approx. 8000 runners to run with which is always hard to do if you are not used to running in such a crowd. Well done on your time and good luck for your next race. Maggie

[Joanne37 Graduate in reply to magster]

wow 8000! We had 1700 which I thought was a lot! Im not sure im ready to run in a group yet. Its hard to pace yourself with people on all sides of you! I tried to run at the edge of the pack so that I could pace myself but it was hard. I think ill stick to early mornings in the cool for a while just yet!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi Joanne if you managed to do a RFL in 45 minutes thats a pretty good time especially when there was 1700 runners. If you are not used to hills too they can knock you for six in the heat and boy was it hot for you. I would say you are more than ready to do Parkrun, check out your nearest one and have a look at the route, you could even give it a test run before doing an official one. Parkruns are family gatherings for all abilities, its you against the clock, there are of course some serious runners too but they will set off at the start line never to be seen again until you cross it. Most of the fast runners stay at ours to give encouragement to the slower runners, its all one big happy family affair

[ju-ju- Graduate]

well done you, great achievement and in that heat too...phewww