Fitter, stronger, bolder … that’s what kept going through my mind as I ran a 4k tempo run on Thursday. I kept repeating it in my head as I ran. I was observing, rather than trying to convince myself. An amazing feeling.
The pace targets I’ve set for this year’s HM training are bolder than before. But why? I’ve just had months out for injury – an injury that may well recur. I’m not known for being bold – I’m very unbold to be honest 😂 - I feel a bit like a mutation of my former self just now. All very peculiar 🤷♀️.
Fast forward two days and it's time for my first event in seven months: Osterley Park winter 10k (they do a summer one too). I had a free entry in return for volunteering ealier this year. My usual pre-race nerves were pretty much non-existent – I knew the format having been before. I only had to park up, pin on my bib, grab a quick loo stop (no queue when I went) and roll up to the finish line. All went perfectly. Even the weather was perfect for running (a bit cold for waiting around in, mind). Above all, I had nothing to prove having had so long off running (last Monday I made my first attempt at 10k for seven months). But at the back of my mind was the tempting thought that maybe I could beat my previous PB, which was just a few seconds over the hour - after all maybe I really am fitter, stronger and bolder.
And so I ran the race. Fitter, stronger, and just a tiny bit bolder by the time I reached the start line. By 5k I was feeling bolder still. At that point things went a little bit off the rails as I tried drinking some of the water provided while still running – I don’t seem to have gotten the knack of that yet and my breathing and digestion regretted those few sips for about a kilometre 🤢. But from 7k onwards I settled back into my stride, fairly sure a PB could be mine. By the last few hundred metres I knew I’d be within the hour even if I walked the rest of the way, but I tried hard to dig deep and managed my fastest half km of the run to reach the finish line.
I so enjoyed it. At least two marshalls remarked on the ‘first runner smiling runner today’.
It was a great course with wonderful marshalls and support for a relatively small event. As the results email says 'What an amazing day!'
I’ve been really emotional this afternoon. A great PB, breaking the one hour and all on the back of a dreadful few months in many respects. On balance though, I’d have to say 2019 has been a great year for me and it’s largely down to you amazing people. When I started cycling in the boot, I received so much encouragement here, I still felt included and supported despite not running a step. So many people said I could come back stronger and, whilst I appreciated it hugely, I didn’t believe it🤪. Well – guess what? It seems you were right!
If you’re reading this from the IC right now, or find yourself there in the future, don’t give up, hang on in there and I for one will cheer your comeback so loudly you’ll want to cover your ears. Don’t ever give up!
*** Slight aside, one of my kids asked how the run went but didn’t really wait for an answer. No-one else has said a word. Thank goodness for HU! ***
