So, Friday night, was the famous (well its famous in Lincolnshire because of the cakes at the end!) 10km cake run. This time last year was the first time Id done this event and my first 10km race for about 15 years, so it was kind of an anniversary. Some of you may have read my race report from last Sunday, where I had a really awful run, for lots of reasons, so Friday all day, I was trying to get into a more positive frame of mind as well as focusing well on hydration and food. I did not want a repeat of last weekend when half way round, I desperately needed the toilet!
It was very very warm Friday and even though it cooled down a bit, at the start of the race it was 25 degrees π.
So my strategy was to enjoy the race, take in the beautiful countryside views , not get het up about my time and try and relax. Myself and another running buddy started right at the very back and figured that it didn't really matter back as clearly the timing starts when you get over the timing map. However, this strategy probably wasn't the best, as then I got a bit stuck in the bottleneck and couldn't get round many people for about the first 15 minutes of the run. I had no choice but to take it steady. 1km in, felt ok, legs didn't feel like lead like the previous weekend, 2nd km, its getting hot but its ok and not panicking me and my stomach feels absolutely fine. before I know it its 3km and there's an incline coming, so I calmly remember my hill training, small steps, control my breathing and don't panic! Half way, I calmly tell the runner next to me, hey' we're half way already!' I get a kind of grunt back and a half smile and I dig in, looking around, taking it all in.
I have to say I know I was going at a much slower pace, but I really didn't want to get too hung up about it. Get to 8km and I am starting to feel very hot and quite tired, but I keep digging in and remind my self of how I will feel when I finish and am eating that scummy cake!! ππ
The last 1km of this race is a bit of a killer, as you think you're coming round the corner to the finish , and then realise there's actually another incline before you get there. Its misleading as a lot of the villagers come out to cheer many shouting 'not far, you're almost there!' which makes you think you're closer to the finish line than you actually are!!
Anyway, I finish with a time of 56:53, which ironically is slower than my awful run last Sunday, but...... the difference is although I was still very tired, I felt much better and think I enjoyed it, whereas last Sunday was just awful! Picture is me grinning as its finished and I can now eat cakes!!!π€£π°π°π°
My first half marathon
HUHM race report and post-race follow up.
Newport Marathon Race Report and Huge HURRUMPH!
London Big Half Marathon complete!
