Off to Silverstone today feeling jolly nervous and not overly confident to be honest.  I was just a bit worried about the size of the occasion and various aches and pains which seem par for the course at the moment. My husband pointed out I get a bit tetchy before running a race and I had to concede he is right!  I need solitude to prepare myself, not the usual bedlam which is our house in the morning!!

We managed to get on the road at a reasonable time for once and we got to Silverstone quite early.  The first sight to greet us in the car park was the naked bottom of a young man (that makes me sound old!) changing his pants.  It would have been forgiveable except he turned round too soon...!  I did admire his bravery though, as the wind was on the chilly side.

My first panic was over what I was wearing.  When I went for a quick run yesterday I felt quite warm and the weather was similar today.  I opted for shorts and a vest.  But on stepping out of the car the wind was quite bracing and I thought I might have been a bit rash.  I had brought a t-shirt too so I decided to put that under my vest so as not to freeze.  I did this quick change in the toilets, rather than on full view in the car park.  We wandered down to the start area with the children/support team in tow.  I felt a bit bad because they seemed to be under the impression that there was going to be a children's paradise of playgrounds and bouncy castles.  Unfortunately there was not much entertainment for them, just their dad to keep them amused for the best part of 2 hours - I think he would need more luck than me!  After two more loo visits and a bit of a warm up, it was time to go through to the start.  This was divided into Sub 2 hours and Over 2 hours.  I was aiming for about 2 hours so which way to go?  I haven't run in many races and in all previous ones I have always started at the back.  This is probably due to my complete lack of confidence and the fact I hate to get in anyone's way.  Today though I was about to go to the slower start, and I suddenly thought, no you want sub 2 hours so why not just be a bit more positive and join the faster start.  So I did, trying my best not to feel out of place amongst all the rather athletic looking people.

A few seconds before the off I suddenly decided that my right shoe wasn't quite right.  I spend so long worrying about my left foot that my right foot gets a bit overlooked.  I spend ages massaging my left foot, adjusting my socks and laces and all my right foot gets is a quick rub and shoved in the trainer.  It now demanded my full attention.  So I pulled my trainer off, adjusted the sock and then the gun went - no time to loosen the laces I just about managed to get my trainer back on in time (thank goodness for the elastic laces!!) and we were off.

I found my pace quite quickly and felt really comfortable and strong.  I was aiming for 9min miles, and at the first mile my time check was 8:49 - perfect.  There were a few traffic problems around the route which is to be expected with so many runners.  But instead of dropping back like I usually do, I pushed forward to get past people and ran forward to find space.  I was really enjoying myself and I have never felt so comfy in a race before.  There were plenty of toilets around the course but I didn't need to stop thankfully.  But I lost count of the number of men who piddled just anywhere!  Goodness I had seen enough of that for one day!!  I know I have a weak bladder but I did chuckle to myself when one bloke stopped just before mile one!

At mile 5 I had a bit of a panic. The race instructions said that there would be Lucozade Sport available at mile 6 and I had planned to have my gel (a tropical SIS one if you are interested, as recommended by ClareVR!)  just before that drink station and then grab a drink to wash it down with.  But the drink stop was at mile 5- eek!  I had to dash across to grab a bottle, and nearly knocked a poor bloke out who was overtaking me when I stuck my arm out!  The first bottle went for a burton, but I got another one from the last man - phew I can have my gel as planned!  I ran on to mile 6 before juggling with drink and gel and managed to get them both down.  At mile 10 I was still feeling good, and my time check was 1:28 which is the fastest I have ever run 10 miles and I was on course for breaking 2 hours.  I saw my support team in the crowd and seeing the excitement of my daughters when they spotted me really gave me a boost.  Suddenly though my right foot was complaining even more.  It must be my new trainers, it wasn't pain just a feeling of pressure on my little toe which was making it ache.  My troublesome left foot was fine and really likes these new trainers, but for some reason my right foot doesn't agree.  (I will have to think about what to do for London .. ).  Anyway I suddenly thought I have to do something but I didn't want to ruin my time.  I stopped, whipped my sock off, and carried on.  I can't have stopped for more than 10 seconds, a good pit stop time!  That relieved the pressure and I managed to complete the last three miles with one sock on and one sock off, not ideal but it worked.  For the last mile the wind was full in my face and made it tough but I still had some energy left so I sprinted for the line, spurred on by the disbelief that I might get under 1:55!!  As I got over the line I promptly had a little sob, what am I like?  It was just such an amazing feeling to finish feeling so strong and in a time I hadn't even dreamt of.

On a sad note though, on the way round I passed 6 or 7 casualties.  People who had collapsed and literally couldn't go another step and were needing oxygen.  It really made me think about actually running this distance is no mean feat and something to be proud of.  Even my husband was nearly moved to tears by one man who collapsed inches from the line and two other runners carried him over.  I didn't see him as he was behind me, but it sounded so moving.  This running business seems to bring out the best in people.

I met up with the girls who were just a bit bored by it all but they were pleased to see me and had a good root about in my goody bag!  I got a big hug from my husband too.  After cooling down and collecting my kit we went home, all feeling a little windswept but jolly pleased with a successful day.  It was such an experience to run with 10,000 people, and I am over the moon with how I felt after feeling so nervous and my (unofficial) time.  I will try to post some piccies when they are available and I have worked out how!

Back to normality now, building up to another 20 mile run at the weekend. 

Hope you all had good weekends and happy running x