First 10k "race"

[caj62]

So today I ran my first ever 10k race and finished in a respectable hour and 6 minutes. The race was in and around Temple Guiting in the Cotswolds. Well, there were some hills to deal with let me tell you! Not too bad to start with, as the route started off very "uppy, downy", but from about 3 miles on it seemed more up than down. And the bit just after the ford was horrible. My plan was to run my own "race", having seen the route previously I was aiming to get round in an hour and 15 mins. My wonderful friend Kate was keen to break the hour mark, so I let her run on and I plodded along at the back at my own very steady pace, trying hard to control myself on the downhill bits so that I didn't exhaust myself for the uphill bits. It seemed to work! I ran past some people going up hill who seemed to have gone off very quickly, then they would come tearing past me downhill, only to have to walk again when going back uphill. I managed to "run" the whole thing, even though, towards the end of the last uphill bit I was doing what my friend calls "old lady" running whereby both feet were off the ground together, but only just, and only for a very short time! The whole thing was much better than I had imagined it in my head. Hard work, but worth the effort on such a beautiful day in such beautiful surroundings. And Kate finished in 59mins and 12 seconds. For those of you wondering whether to give it a go - GO FOR IT! Do it at your own pace and enjoy - just don't start with the Cotswold Spring 10k. Try something flatter!

[morningglory Graduate]

Well done and great time. My first one was on the flat so I take my hat off to you tackling a hilly course. Heres to many many more.

[swanscot Graduate]

Very well done! It sounds like your really enjoyed it and congratulations on your time!

Mu first one had one long uphill that went on for about 1.6 km and it was really hard to keep running, but I did. For some reason I've signed up for two even hillier 10K coming up soon, but hope to tackle a flattish one later int eh year.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Well done Its been a lovely day for running!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Brilliant and a more than a respectable time! Well done on keeping a steady pace to get you round; congratulations! Hope you are enjoying a nice leisurely Sunday lunch to celebrate.

Sue

[caj62 Graduate]

Thanks guys. Have enjoyed a lovely lunch prepared by my husband. On the sofa, feet up, watching the adorable Jonny Wilkinson do his thing. Not sure I will be walking anywhere very quickly!

[Twedders Graduate]

Well done! What an achievement

[AnnieW55]

Well done. You certainly deserved the afternoon on the sofa after that!

[greenlegs Graduate]

You paced yourself really well for that. Well done.