Kneesy does it - Back into training ! by Martin_H

Took part in my first proper race in I don't know how long on Sunday - The Birchwood 10 KM. All the races I can remember this year seem to have been with someone and not going at it hell for leather. I forgot how exciting proper racing was !

Excellent race. Really fast course - apart from the three monstrous motorway bridges conveniently placed within the last 2.5 KM which I had been kindly informed about by Pam but was definatley not ready for when they arrived.

As I said previously I was after a sub 50 minute run. As I got underway I felt that I wasn't going to get anywhere near it. I was too warm and felt tired straight away. Decided that I was just trying to kid myself into slowing down so relaxed and settled into the run.

5 KM in bang on 25 minutes. Decided to take it one KM at a time from there until I realised I was at about 7.5 KM quite tired and facing what looked like the biggest incline in the world. Made it up and over to be faced by another bridge and then another. Needles to say this slowed me down a tad ! Dragged myself on to the last 400 metres and found some last drops of gas so managed a long (what seemed like infinately long) sprint finish overtaking the people in front of me that had been playing cat and mouse for about 2 miles.

Chip time - 50:57. A nice brown towel for my trouble but they didn't offer me any flowers - maybe I should have worn my tutu ?

Didn't quite pull off the 'Angry Mick' face at the finish line !

Great race finished off after with a cycle to the pool and a swim with Little H. Left now with 11 days till my knee operation during which I am still aiming to chase down that sub 50 minue 10 KM !