Many of you know that 2018 was basically a no running year for me, due to injury. We also had a big house move and settling in time at the end of the year. I started running again, rather gently at the beginning of 2019. In March a work colleague told me about a local 10k event and I couldn't resist - I signed up. I was determined to meet the challenge despite not running regularly and not running a 10k since December 2017! So I adapted Ju-Ju's plan, included daily strength work, typed it out, stuck the sheet up in the kitchen and started training!
Today was the day - had the training been enough? It was a beautiful day, sunny, warm (a little too warm!) with a gentle cooling sea breeze. The route started on the promenade before moving onto the pavement and then grass verge (grass was dry and short luckily). I started at the back of the 10k runners. I find this better because: 1. it helps me to start off nice and gently rather than trying to keep up with the speedy lot at the front! and 2. psychologically I like to overtake people rather than be overtaken ;). I checked my Garmin every kilometre and was pleased by my pace which was a bit faster than usual. I passed a few more people and fell in behind a lady who was running a lovely steady pace. Following someone and focusing on keeping up with their pace really helps. We ran down a lovely country lane to the station where a steam train had just come in, turned around there and ran back a little way before turning down to the beach. Half way and feeling good! At the beach carpark there was a drink station where I paused to sip and splash my face, it was really quite hot by now. I set off again alongside the lady I had been following and even managed a little chat!! The last 3k was a challenge. The route went along the top of the beach - sandy grass, rabbit holes, pebbles and even a sand dune to run up (now that really was the sting in the tail!!). My pace slowed as I tried to avoid tripping on the pebbles (I was glad that the during the first half my pace was good). It was very hard running on the sandy parts and the sand dune was a killer. But I plodded on and eventually came back to the promenade, hooray! Quick check of the time, high fives with two little girls and the finish was in sight. I tried to increase pace a bit …….. keep going, nearly there. As I approached the finish spectators sitting on the sea wall and benches clapped and cheered so I pushed on, not a sprint finish but I finished (see photo!).
Extra note.....I have great admiration for the folk who were running the half marathon. Similar route but going the other way round and longer of course! They were amazing - running on difficult terrain and in the heat, and some were really fast!!
You must be so happy and proud! 
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