Hello blogville.It's been a while and I haven't really felt like blogging. 'But why??' I hear you cry? Well I have been slogging my way around long runs and knackering tempos feeling like I'm getting nowhere (not very) fast and generally not feeling very good about my running.
So it was with a bit of trepidation that I set off on Sunday for the Derby 10k. The last 10k (and only my 3rd ever race) was a hilly, x-country style race in Wollaton Park, Nottingham. I did it in 58:30 and had to have a little sit down afterwards. The lovely Hughesy had entered me in the Derby 10k with an estimated time of 55mins making me a bit nervous. 3.5 mins off my PB was a challenge which I was not sure I could meet. But he had faith in me, so off we set.
The Derby 10k is rather a bigger event than the cosy Wollaton 10k. Instead of 400 runners, I found myself in the midst of thousands all penned up under their expected finishing time in the shadow of Pride Park, the Derby FC stadium. He had warned me about 'undulations' at 3-5km, but apart from that I had no idea what the route would be like and as the gun went and the strungout line edged towards the line, my nerves rose. Everyone looked like they could run me into the ground before breakfast. But as I headed off into the city centre, I found myself sprinting past professionally kitted out runners, who were walking, panting and sweating it out at 2km. Why the hell were these people ahead of me?!?! What time did they put on their application forms?!?!
The route was actually a pleasant amble around the city centre, taking in the sights, before heading back along stretches of the river. It is not in the slightest bit hilly, but has a couple of little undulations, including a couple of bridges to negotiate. Many seemed to find these difficult, but after 18 months of being beasted up hills by camo-clad British Military Fitness instructors, I managed to take them (literally) in my stride. The start was a bit sparse on spectators, but by halfway, they had crept out of bed to wave and cheer us on. Always nice. I would seriously recommend this race to any newbie runners as their first 10k. It was well organised, easy and fun.
I was attempting to work out my times at each km marker, and not do my previous mistake of setting out too quick and regretting it. I hit 5k at around 29mins, which worried me... a lot. At that rate I would be lucky to beat my PB. However the second 5k was flatter and more strung out, so no fighting my way past pink tutus and bananas. I also felt quite good. True I was puffing like a steamtrain, but nothing compared to many around me.
At 7km I passed the Thunderbirds. After losing the Kilomathon to a banana, this felt good.
By 8km I was utterly convinced I was going to take over an hour, so it was with elation that I entered Prinde Park to a roar of spectators and music and saw the clock at 54' 12". I sprinted to the line. My gun time was 54' 42", but once the time to cross the line was factored in, my chip time was a staggering 53' 42" giving me a chip position of 1525 out of 2993. Well happy. Add to that, I was 84th home out of 380 in my category and I was even well happier.
The lovely Hughesy did a chip time of 48' 13", shaving 6mins off his PB for the race and coming in 181st out of 454 in his category. There was much celebration that night *pop* *fizz* *glug*.
All in all, it raised my flagging spirits hugely and gave me a much need confidence boost - that I wasn't getting slower, I was capable of running well and I wasn't going to be the last finisher on this marathon.
20 miles are beckoning ths weekend. Bring 'em on!
Here's mud in your eye.
