Yesterday was my 2nd ever organised run/race. Last year I went into it pretty relaxed as it was the first I had done, no bench mark for time, no pressure. I managed a decent 1 hour 8mins last year so now I felt I had something to beat.
Due to this and the fact I occasionally get gripey stomach problems when I run I was feeling nervous. I was worrying about it so much that my heart rate was through the roof before I even walked out the door!
Anyway once at the venue I settled down, the weather was cooler than of late so that was good and we arrived earlier enough not to stress.
The crowd was definitely bigger than last year and it took 7 mins to shuffle to the start then Boom off we go. I was determined to not shoot off like a bolting hare and to take it steady at the start but it’s a bit downhill to start and it was hard to rein it back.
After I relaxed into it I took in the beautiful sights, the mighty minster was ringing its bells for us and the riverside bit was lovely.
As usual the slump came at about 7km when I started to feel it and I had to dig in and keep the momentum going. Doesn’t help that the last 3km are the hardest and feature a steady incline and 2 out and backs or doglegs.
I was determined to push on
Last push up the last incline rounded the last dogleg and the finish in sight I managed a final burst to finish in 1hour and 3 minutes! I was amazed and very pleased to have shaved off a full 5 minutes.
Never again I said exhausted but elated. Then admiring my second piece of bling a couple of hours later I am about to sign up for next years event.
My big dilemma is whether to take on a 10mile in October. 🫣
Yorkshire Marathon Race Report 
HU10K Run Report 🏃♀️👍😊