Today I finished the last of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k winter series of races. Every month for the last six months, the event has seen an ever growing field with about 800 turning up today. It has been an incredible point of focus for me since last October being the main thing that has got me out of the door three times a week right through the winter. Organised by the 'The Race Organiser' (Google them) these events not only took place in what I humbly suggest is the most inspiring park to run in in the country but they were also incredibly well organised and very accessible to the ordinary runner like you or me.
Today I ran my 10k in 60:21 being just 4 seconds short of my best set in the same place just last month. I'd love to have broken the hour and I threw the kitchen sink at it trying to do so. I ran the first 5k in about 29:40 and a couple of mid race slower Kms meant that even my final kilometre of 5:44 wasn't quite enough. I have no regrets though - I had absolutely nothing left at the end. A big thank you goes to Dave, who I had never met before, but who I lined up with at the first race when there were less than 100 competitors and he and I were quite clearly the two older guys who were going to finish near the back. We were a bit nervous back then (I was anyway!) and we've been chasing each other round ever since with the series ending in an honourable 3-3 draw. If you're reading this - thank you sir - I couldn't have done it without you.
Anyhow, those of us who ran all six races received a gold version of the finishers medal and I must say, I'm pretty fond of it! It's onwards an upwards now with a Regent's Park 10k next month as a warm up (I really never thought I'd ever say that) for the Hackney Half Marathon in May.
I love this running business!
Final OCR of the year
Park Run! Tips for speed anyone?
First Park Run today - brilliant!
My first ever 10k, on my birthday!
