Ellesmere 10k - my second race: This was my... - Couch to 5K

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Ellesmere 10k - my second race

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate
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This was my second 10k race and I think I was probably more nervous about this one than my first. I knew that I hadn't matched my "race" pace at any time in the few weeks since them, thanks to low blood iron and feeling pretty exhausted all the time. I felt happier on my last two runs but ended up limping for a few days after each one due to pain in my arches, particularly the right foot.

I ordered some gel inserts and they arrived on Friday so I've been trying them out in my everyday shoes and they seemed ok so today was my first try at running in them. I was prepared to stop and take them out if they weren't a success. Three hours before the race, my back hurt, my right leg was sore and I had an upset stomach (probably nerves). I took a painkiller and set off on the hour-long drive to Ellesmere.

My stomach felt better by the time we arrived (my mother had come along to support me!) so I found the toilets and the registration area. In the queue to collect my number and chip, I noticed that the numbers went up to 500, meaning this race had twice as many entries as my previous one. Number and chip collected and I went to pick up my goodie bag - this contained a race T-shirt, bottle of water, energy bar and a nice running-shoe design keyring (no chocolate medal though !), which I though was quite a generous goodie list considering the £10 entry fee.

I found some friends from running club and nervously awaited the start. It was nice to be wearing the club colours in a race for the first time (green and gold, just like Usain Bolt ;-)).

It felt quite crowded at the start and I found a place near the back so I wouldn't get trampled by the fast runners. Even so, it was crowded enough that I and many others had to start with a walk until the group broke up a little.

My arms and shoulders felt very uncomfortable to start with and I felt I was struggling a bit but I knew that I usually find my best pace at the middle of the run so I persevered, albeit with a few walk breaks. On my first 10k race I managed the first 4.5km without a walk break but that wasn't going to happen today. As I got to 3-4 km into the race I started to feel more comfortable and managed longer stretches. I noticed that my difficulty seems to be that I struggle to maintain a slow sustainable pace - I found it really uncomfortable trying to match the speed of some of the other runners but by running at a comfortable pace for me and then walking for a bit I was averaging pretty much the same pace.

I had a bit of banter going with a slightly older chap who kept passing me on my walk breaks but then I would pass him again when I ran again. As it turned out we stayed more or less together for most of the race. At one point, his wife was waiting with a bottle of water - he poured some over himself and then gave the rest to me. He told me just to drop it on the floor but I had to take a detour to find a bin. I haven't got it in me to drop litter !

As we got further along I was managing to run for longer, following just behind my new friend as a way of pacing myself. As we ran along the canal, this was quite comfortable but there were a few steep bridges to cross and I slowed to a walk on the downhill side of those as it was so steep, with the canal at the bottom of the slope ! I'd then speed up again and keep pace with my new running buddy. I was tired by now and appreciated the encouragement from the marshalls. I knew from looking at my Garmin that it was touch and go whether I'd match my previous 10k time so I was determined to keep jogging to the finish.

On the last stretch, I drew up next to my friend and said "I really don't think I've got a sprint left in me now". He pointed to the lady just ahead of us and said "Just see if you can pass her". I rose to the challenge and as I passed her she said "Oh, I can't manage to do that, I'll just be glad to finish". I felt quite encouraged and tried to keep a slightly faster pace. As I came round the last bend, I could see some running club friends cheering me on so I dug deep and tried to sprint. As I passed them, I heard someone say "That's a better finish than I could manage!" and felt quite proud and flattered. Then I crossed the line and a marshal removed my chip from my ankle as I gasped for breath and my mum passed me a bottle of water. I wanted to thank my running buddy for that last bit of encouragement but I couldn't find him afterwards, which was a shame.

I felt as if I'd struggled more than last time but when I remembered to stop my Garmin it said 1hour and 10minutes, a minute slower than last time but I had again forgotten to turn it off immediately as I finished so I'll have to wait for the official results. When I've compared the Garmin results for each race, it says my average pace was almost exactly the same. I'm quite happy with that - it was the best I'd expected (although, naturally, I hoped for more but knew it was unrealistic). I was also pleased with my new insoles - I haven't run with them before but I don't have any arch pain and that's a success in my book !

And it was fun - that's the main thing ! (the rain that was forecast failed to materialise too!)

:-)

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sfb350
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14 Replies
Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

Well done sfb350 thats a good time too. I will have to try and get down home for the Oswestry or Ellesmere one next year, it quite pretty around that area isn't it?

I really will have to find a 10K near to me but I'm not good at running in big crowds. Our Parkrun is fine for now with 80-100 runners.

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to Oldgirl

It was pretty - there was more running on the road than I like but the parts alongside the lake and along the canal were really nice. The good thing about being slow is that the crowds soon disappear into the distance and you're left with a nicely spaced out, smaller group to run with :-)

I reckon I'll be about 490th out of 500 !!

Minuette profile image
MinuetteGraduate

Well done that's a really good time, I also like the fact that you've said it was fun, that's really important :)

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to Minuette

It's a nice way to mix with people, I think. Next challenge is training for a half-marathon in October !!

Gridlet profile image
GridletGraduate

Great blog sfb350! So inspirational! I watched a race today and felt really wistful! I wish I could find the courage.... Today was perfect weather too! I have hurt my ankle so I'm not beating myself up too much! Well done you! You did great! Good luck with the training.

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to Gridlet

Sign up for one when your ankle is better ! It really is fun and even when you're slow and near the back like me, the support is amazing and you can still enjoy your own small triumphs !

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate

Wonderful blog post about your run. I never started C25k to race or anything like that, but am now seriously thinking about training for a 10k when I complete the programme.

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to swanscot

I never thought I'd want to race either, I just wanted cheap, regular exercise I could enjoy. It's funny how the C25k program changes you and your aims :-)

TJFlute profile image
TJFlute

Well done! A great time. I love the banter that you can get when you're in a race! :)

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to TJFlute

I've just checked the official results and I was less than a minute slower than my last 10k so I'm reasonably happy with that. I came 409th out of 430 !

Lunebucket profile image
LunebucketGraduate

That's a really encouraging post, sfb. I've got my first 10k race in a fortnight (Stratford Big 10k) and I'm getting nervous now. Because of knee problems I've only managed a full 10k run once before and that was with my running club. I'll try and get in an 8k run before Stratford and just hope that the adrenaline and marshals get me round to the finish. I expect to get a time similar to yours. I'm not and never will be a fast runner but as I saw recently quoted: "No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping those sitting on the couch."

Thanks for the inspiration :-)

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to Lunebucket

You'll be fine - the encouragement from fellow runners and marshals is really helpful. I was also surprised how many people sit or stand outside their houses along the route to cheer you on. There was even a car drove past and all the children in the back were shouting "Well done, well done!" It makes you feel all warm inside ;-)

Deryn61 profile image
Deryn61Graduate

Missed this post till now, well done, that is a brilliant account, you learn so much from these events, thanks for this x

sfb350 profile image
sfb350Graduate in reply to Deryn61

Thank you :-)

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