Heathfield 10k Race Report

[pianoteacher]

My first 10k race - hot, humid and hilly - it was tough but I loved it!

Described as an undulating route (why don't they just say hilly?? 😂) it was a run through beautiful country lanes near where I used to live. I knew the first half was pretty much downhill and that the last 2 miles were a long climb back up to where we started so had decided sub60 mins probably wasn't on the cards for me. Having changed my watch over to miles for a training run on Friday (in preparation for another go at a progression run) I decided to experiment with leaving it there so I would have no chance to obsess over pace. I positioned myself towards the back at the start but still managed to go off a bit too fast - pretty hard not to when your running downhill! Had a nice chat with some other runners at about halfway and I was feeling really good if a little hot. Decided I would stop at the water station but as drinking normally gives me a stitch I poured most of it over my back!

Then the climb started. My god it was hard so I decided a little bit of walking would be OK 🤷‍♀️ I knew we had to go into the playing field to finish but with no idea how far was left I asked the marshal how far in metres? He said he'd no idea but it was a couple of minutes running. Took the decision to belt it as soon as I got on the grass thinking the finish was ahead of me only to get halfway across and realise I'd got to go back up a little hill (seemed like a mountain 😂) and turn back on myself. A girl came flying past me full on sprinting but didn't realise where the finish was and stopped - I did feel for her although apparently when she got going again she nearly caught me.

I crossed the line in 59.10 a 10k PB - I'm well chuffed given the course and the conditions.

The photo is of my running club Hastings Runners (I'm no 61). I'm so glad I joined 😁 There are all ages and abilities in the club and the feeling of being part of a team is amazing. It was great to have people cheering as I entered the finish area and we stayed there until the very last of our runners came in ❤️

Happy Running Everyone 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Good run for you today Pianoteacher, lovely photo of your running club, yes I see you smiling, No. 61 ☺️, you must be very proud of yourself having achieved a PB sub 60 minute 10k.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr! It went much better than I expected it to x

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A fantastic run! I don't know how you do it . Hills, heat and humidity sound like a horrendous combination, but still sub 60m. Congratulations speedy

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda! I actually quite enjoy a hill - though maybe not one that goes on for quite so long 🤣 Nearly all of my club training runs are very hilly. There's not much choice in Hastings unless you just run up and down the seafront which to be honest I find a bit relentless x

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Great photo piano teacher and well done on your run! What a course to get a PB on - I suspect it won't stand for long, especially if you keep an eye open for a flatter one! 👍🏅🏃🏽‍♀️

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra! Everyone had said it wasn't a PB course but as I'd only ever run one non-stop 10k training run it was for me 😀 I think I could quite get to like 10k as a distance (5k is a bit full on speed wise for me) so I'll definitely be looking to do more x

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Wow! Congrats on a PBdespite the heat and the hills! Whoohoo! A great pic as well!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you SaskAlliecat xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done PT, sub 60 in the heat and with hills is nothing to be sniffed at! How great to be part of a running club. The camaraderie must be fantastic. 👍🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃👍

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky! It's really great to feel part of a team x

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That's a great 10k time in a hot day! Congratulations! I thought the place name sounded familiar its near to where i used to visit my Nan in Horam!! X

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo! Yes Horam is very close by. We ran down to Waldron and back up again - it was really pretty 😍

[Runsome Marathon]

That’s sounds really tough with them hills and humidity and to get a PB inside an hour on your first 10k race is fantastic. Well done 🎉🎉👍🏅

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Runsome! It was tough - Daniel wanted to do it but the minimum age is 15. He says he's doing it next year but I think I'd better find him a flatter one to have a go at first x

[Runsome Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

I think that’s a good idea just don’t try to keep up with him, he’s far to speedy these days I usually see him fly past me at parkrun.😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Runsome]

He's come a long way since his first run/walk attempts last summer 😁

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon]

Super well done Marie, that's an amazing time for such a tough one! xx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thanks! Hopefully it won't be too long until your fully fit and you'll be out there with me. I see you might do the handicap race - it looks like a lot of fun 😁

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Yes hoping I will be up to tackling a 5k by then! It does look fun 😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations pianoteacher, what a brilliant race you had, and in such a fast time. The first timed race is very special.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! It was great and definitely one I'd do again xx

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done Marie. Another challenge overcome. Good to see you running with you team too.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Dave! Going to be running in the veteran ladies team for them at the Herstmonceux Relays in August. Little bit daunting as I'm in the team ahead of a sub 23 min 5k runner who's down as a reserve - think they're letting me have a go as I've never done it before??!? x

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Thats brilliant Marie. Should be a great event, and you will do a fantastic job x

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Well done you! Astounding! And you enjoyed it, so all sounds great to me. 🍾🥂🏅🏃🏻‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you! Hope you enjoyed your race too 😀