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!
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Rob_and_his_westie
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Fantastic Rob - what a wonderful achievement. That's a great time. And what a great bit of bling, no wonder you're proud, you deserve to be!
I ran the National Lottery 8k run when the park was still a building site although we finished in the stadium, but I remember how beautiful it was during the Olympics. I would have loved to try again this year but I'm struggling to regain fitness and don't feel anywhere near being able to reach 10k again in the near future!
I ran that 8k/5 miler at the park last summer and fell in love with the place. They're doing it again in July and I've signed up already. Morrisons is the sponsor this time and it's 10k now.
What a smashing medal...no wonder you are pleased its a great achievement.I visited the site when it was being built I can only imagine the experience of running it!!! 🎈🎈
Yes. It was soooooo close. Lungs were burning and legs falling off. There was a decent crowd shouting me on too (not just me of course). It was 10k run at 5k pace! Have to say I loved every minute of it.
That's some achievement Rob and I can tell by your post that you're probably still smiling! And I love that medal! It's proper bling isn't it? You really have got the bug but it's all great stuff so many congratulations.
There's a real buzz about running an event. I get very, very nervous on the day and I Have trouble sleeping the night before. Lining up before the start I have serious doubts about my ability to get any further than the first corner, but it all dies away as soon I start running. If you've never entered a race, I thoroughly recommend it.
I was up all night coughing last night. I have a cold and hoped it would be gone by tomorrow. I have been fine all through the training. Tsk. My old man kindly made me a cuppa tea as my coughing woke him up.
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