A day of firsts...5k race done!

[Pollypanda]

Today I ran in the Innovation Sports 5k race on Clapham Common, my home park. It's the first time I've run 5k, and my first race. It was also my first run in a month (!?!?).

Now, before anyone (rightly) falls off their chair at this blatent lack of preparation, I should clarify that since graduating at the end of July I’ve gone back to doing British Military Fitness bootcamps three times a week with a focus on losing weight. These sessions have also been great for all over body conditioning and running at faster speeds (I tend to cover 2-2.5km in a session). I’ve not lost a lot of weight yet as I’m building muscle but it’s slowly but surely dropping off.

Regardless, I was a bit nervous. I went in with an injured big toe and sore hamstrings which was a worry, but my main concern was that I hadn’t been in the running headspace for a while. What if I was so out of practice I'd forgotten how to run? Eeek! But of course it was fine. It ended up being quite fun!

I didn't have the greatest of starts. The organisers started the race five minutes early and I was caught napping! I took off with my headphones still in my hand and my playlist not lined up. I ran at a good, steady pace but wasn’t quite settled, so at the halfway drink station I walked for one minute to have a quick drink and put in my headphones before picking up the pace again. A good idea as I was more settled in the second half. The marshals were very encouraging and smiled and clapped as I chugged past, which was nice and really helped in the last 200 metres when my legs started to give way. Mr Pollypanda finished ahead of me in 27.32, and doubled back to different points in the course to give me cheeky grins and high fives.

I ended up finishing in 42.21, which I’m pleased with. My average pace was 8.26, which is a better pace than when I finished off the C25K programme. My first km was completed in 7.34, which is my fastest split yet! So I’m confident I'm on the right track. I thinking of dropping a BMF session for a weekly run, but I'll see.

Once we’d recovered, of course Mr Pollypanda and I signed up for the next race on Clapham Common, which is on 12th October. It shouldn’t be too difficult to improve my time if I just make sure I’m prepared for the start! Lesson learned

[Hidden]

Congrats on your first run, and great times too! You must be very proud. So nice to have Mr P running with you too.

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! It was Mr P's first 5k race too. He's been going to BMF sessions for a long time and is in the intermediate group, so he is quite fit. He's very pleased with getting a sub-30 time, and so he should!

[lambeek Graduate]

Congratulations!!

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to lambeek]

Thank you!

[Ejbirdy Graduate]

Hey great post , well done you

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to Ejbirdy]

Thanks! I'm very pleased that I've finally got a 5km distance under my belt.

[paul2014 Graduate]

Well done on completing your first 5k and first race It seems the BMF boot camps have been good enough preparation

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Thank you! The BMF sessions have been great for improving my leg strength (sooooo many squats and lunges), running at different paces and exercising for longer periods of time, so in theory, I was sure I'd be fine. Was stiill relieved that the theory proved correct, phew!

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Pollypanda]

Sounds like it was more than adequate training

[Burgdude Graduate]

Great posting. Congrats on the 5k!!

[Pollypanda Graduate in reply to Burgdude]

Thank you! I'm already looking forward to my next 5k race