Yesterday I took part in the Hastings Runners 5 Mile Race. I joined the club last summer but this was my first time running for them. I was very excited to get my club vest last week but also a little nervous! I think I've mentioned here before my tendency to put pressure on myself to do things well so having the club colours on made me feel like I should try to run better than I did in the Half Marathon where I did a lot of walking.
My boyfriend dropped me in town and I went to pick up my race number. There were lots of people of all abilities that I knew from club runs and once I got chatting I immediately felt much better.
It was a glorious day and as the course was flat I decided I would run comfortably and aim for 45 mins. I started right at the back as I'm happier passing people than being passed and off we went through part of the town then onto the seafront. I was going a little faster than intended but it felt good. When we got to the turn I realised why - the wind was behind us ๐คฃ I had a little panic then thought "sod it don't worry about pace - just keep running". And that exactly what I did.
Really pleased with my sprint finish - it doesn't matter how many times more experienced runners tell me how pointless it is, I enjoy it and I'm really quite fast over 50m ๐ Chip time 45:05 so pretty much bang on what I wanted.
Local GB athlete Adam Clarke won in a course record 24:00 - the fastest 5 mile in the country this year ๐ฎ I've been racking my brains to think of another sport where you can take part alongside people of that level?!?
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and have hopefully now laid my fear of racing to bed and can enjoy many more events. The nice smiley photo I've attached was I think taken by
MutleyShuffle
Happy Running everyone ๐โโ๏ธ๐โโ๏ธ๐โโ๏ธ