Woodhall Spa 10km race report

[Hedgehogs123]

Id been warned this race traditionally has always been a warm one, and apparently they moved the start time back from 11am to 10 to try and help, well , don't think that was achieved, OMG it was very hot and very humid 🥵. 1200 runners all trying to stay cool but everyone in good spirits.

Have to say at 8km, I was struggling with the heat and heavy legs which was really annoying because I had hydrated well the day before. Slightly misjudged the finish as I thought it was closer and then realised there was a funnel, so slightly further, but as soon as I saw the actual finish I really went for it. I always find it amazing how we all suddenly find that spurt of energy when the finish line is in sight!

Finished with a time of 54.05 ,not a bad time, not my best but I was second in age group so I was fairly contented. Beautiful medal Im sure you will agree.🥈

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations, lovely medal, pity about the heat, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement with 🍷 and 🎂 👍.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

yep just had half a chocolate muffin and ice cream and homemade apple wine, yum yum!😀🧁🍸

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Brilliant ✅👍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulations that must have been tough in the heat but worth it for the beautiful medal and what a good time

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was one of those races where Im still not sure f I enjoyed it or not. A bit frustrated with my time, as Ive done better and the fact that despite hydrating well, my legs felt really heavy and I just didn't relax in the run as much as I normally do. Yes the heat played a big part but I kind of feel my running has hit a plateau and isn't improving. I do have to keep telling myself that Im one of the oldest ones at our running club and unfortunately it does take me longer now to recover, but a year ago I was getting 53 for my 10km and don't seem to be getting any quicker. Think I need to change my training and incorporate intervals again. Loathe them but I know they help. The best bit was the picnic afterwards with everyone!🤗

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Hedgehogs123]

We all need to plateau sometimes before we can move forward, your times I don't even dream about so I'm well impressed 👍😁

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, I guess I have to stop comparing myself to my running buddies, who are all 20+ years younger.....

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Yes, and I have to stop comparing myself to anyone, I think I'm just lucky I can run at 67, and run often

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Fantastic time, well done and congratulations on a final sprint. You’re a better woman than me 😂 We started at 9.00 in Warwick and it was soooo hot 🥵 Character building!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Actually Sandie I was just saying that I did a better time in the Lincoln 10km last year, but I know that was Oct so much much cooler. Today just felt hard all the way round and Im really still not sure I actually enjoyed it. I was commenting above, that I feel a bit frustrated with my running at the moment, Parkruns are a lot slower and my 10kms are not getting quicker , so I guess I need to re think my training. Groin strain was managed today by painkillers before the race and to be fair I didnt feel anything whilst I was running. How did you get on, apart from being hot??

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I think the heat has so many effects on heart rate, hydration etc which all impact on how you feel. As you say, Lincoln was so much cooler, so you had everything going for you. If you have an injury, it makes it even harder. Cut yourself some slack, slow it down, run for pleasure and forget about progressing for a while and I’m sure you’ll get back on form again. I did 1.13 which is one of my slowest 10ks but I finished and it was a HU meet up so I don’t care!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Your race sounds so much more relaxed and always lovely to meet up. That was the best part of today!. You're right, putting on too much pressure doesn't help.i did say to a pal I want to get back to just enjoying the runs rather than being controlled by my watch. That's the thing with Strava and having everyone see what you do and the time you do , maybe it's a good idea not to put runs on Strava sometimes. Now that's a novel idea!!😁

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

That would be a step too far 😂 After all, if it isn’t on Strava it didn’t happen!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

🤣🤣

[misswobble Marathon]

congratulations 😀🏃‍♀️🏅👏🙄. Scorchio !🔥☄️🥵 so doubly well done 👊✊

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yep, got to get more practice running in the heat, so I cope better in races🥵

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Hedgehogs123]

That’s what I thought I would do today Hedgehogs, but the 2 kms I did away from the sea (and the breeze) was oh so hard. I was hunting for shady trees but that didn’t help.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

yep, its hard isn't it. I can remember setting off for a run last summer one early morning, and didn't get further than 1km when I had t turn back, just tooooooo hot!🥵🥵🥵

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Hedgehogs, that’s an incredible time, especially in the heat. And yes, that is a handsome medal. 😍😍

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes it's really nice. Getting a few now, think I need to treat myself to some sort of medal holder.😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Oh you must! 😀

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

And I've just ordered a new pair of Brooks in the sale! Well, it would be rude not to!! 🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Downright outrageous if you didn’t! 😅

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

my thoughts exactly!! 😂😂

[Instructor57]

Very well done !Don't think moving the start from 11 to 10 would make much difference really .

But , you completed in a great time !

Congratulations 🙂

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you, have to say there were a couple of times I did have to ask myself whose idea it was to do it!!🤣

[Instructor57 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

🤣You did good 😁👍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

That was an amazing run Hedgehogs! Had I been running you would have had time for a three course breakfast before I joined you at the finish.

I have grown to really like intervals. I use the free NRC HM app where intervals are made easy by an encouraging coach who does all the timing and pace management for you. I like the feel of really bombing along again 🙂.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Haha thank you. Yes think I need to go back and use the NRC intervals, they are good. Think I've got too comfortable in my training, so as Coach Bennett says, I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Only 3 courses Beachcomber66 ? I’d say she’d have had time for breakfast, lunch and dinner by the time I finished! 🐌

[Freecloud Marathon]

Congratulations, very well done and yes that's such a cool medal! I did a 10k yesterday and the humidity was something else.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

Well done on your event, it was really hot wasn't it , so relieved when I got to the finish, as I'm sure you were too!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Fantastic, that's an amazing time,especially on a hot day! Xxx

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

thank you, we had about 25 of us from our running club and most reported really struggling with heat, but I do want to get used to running in the heat as have a few runs coming up during the summer.😎😎

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Great time especially in the heat and well done for coming second in your age category 👏

I can feel the heat from here 🥵 I think it makes running so much harder so you did really well there.

And what fab looking bling! No wonder you did a sprint finish 🙂

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

yes, lovely medal. They also offered everyone a cupcake but it was topped up with cream and icing sugar, so didn't see many runners taking one, they looked a bit sickly🤮

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Probably sensible to turn down.

[Cmoi Marathon]

If it makes you feel any better, Hedgehogs123 and Sandie1961 , both your times are way faster than my 10k this morning !

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

bet its a lot hotter there though.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Ah thanks Hedgehogs123 . I can't claim that excuse though, it was only about 22°. Roads and tracks too, and only 188m elevation, which is flatter than my usual. I'm just lazy!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

No, with the runs you do, you are definitely not lazy!😇

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done Hedgehogs123 , that’s a lovely medal and very apt for your location. The humidity yesterday was very high here, until the rain came down. It would have been good running out in that.

I hope you celebrated in style.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, the medal is really nice particularly of the dam busters, Lancaster's and spit fires. A spit fire flew over as we were having our picnic which always causes a wave of excitement. Yesterday I just didnt ever get 'comfortable' or settle down. Afterwards doing the post mortem as we all do, I actually felt a bit better hearing that a lot of other runners had felt the same, so do need to get out a bit more to get more used to it.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Sorry I missed this! Very well done you..a hot and a tough one, but you did it! And a picnic afterwards too !°

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

That was the best bit. Still not sure I actually enjoyed the race. Loved the finish, getting the medal and sitting with everyone on the picnic. Just need to get used to running in heat again. Got another in a couple of weeks,! 🥵

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Hedgehogs123]

No stopping you now... you will be ready for hibernation come the winter... but I bet you will be out there on the snow races!!!

[TailChaser Marathon]

Wow HH, you are super speedy, especially in that heat! Have you tried Salt Sticks? They are really useful in the heat and put electrolytes back in your system to stop the heavy leg thing. I had a couple in my back pocket after Two Castles and Katnap and I recovered a lot quicker.

That medal really fired up some FOMO in me, it’s fab! It would look great next to my Captain Tom Spitfire medal… I may have to join you next year 😁

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

yes its a brilliant medal really appropriate with the Lancaster on it. Thank you for the note on salt sticks, I seem to be getting heavy legs on a regular basis now which is really frustrating, so Im keen to try anything at the moment. where do you get yours from?