Well it kind of worked and I did get a Town & Gown PB!
Inspired by advice from my club coach as a way of cramming in extra miles each week into a tight schedule, as a way to prepare for Marathons, I thought an easy run into town before the race would be a good idea.
An added incentive was lunch offered by our friend who lives a stones throw from the start/finish line - so wouldn’t have to worry too much what state I would be in at the end of the race!
The easy run turned out to be 5.3miles - and was a bit tiring. However after some stretching and a quick coffee I was feeling pretty confident I could do well in the 10k, setting myself up in the pens just in front of the 55minute pacer. From the off my thighs felt tight and sore, and I really had to focus hard on my form & posture. By halfway I was ready for a little boost so took an electrolyte gel at the water station, which helped a bit. Then the worst part - running out along the river with the faster runners on the loop back coming at us - for some reason I find that really depressing and demotivating. Eventually I got to the turn and it was then I found another gear. The last 3km went successively quicker and I overtook quite a few runners, crossing the line at a pace of 4:50 per km - not bad after 11.5 miles!
Needless to say I really appreciated the lunch afterwards!