Compulsive training disorder.... by garyb

Happy New Year to everyone - Hope you all had a great xmas and New Year - and that you have started all your resolutions well (I know there will be a lot of you out there promising yourself lots of things!!!)

After doing no exercise for 2 weeks! That's right not even 1 itsy bitsy bit - I done a promise I made with a friend from work a few months ago, that we would pick a race to do in the New Year!

Obviously the 2nd of Jan was just into the new year - and as it happened almost far to close to Xmas for my liking! The Tadworth 10 - I last done this race in 2007 - and I must have been a lot fitter then, but I found this so hard. Although there were obvious reasons for this....

1) I hadn't run over 4 miles since October 2010

2) Pre and during Xmas excess - which I do count as an excuse

The course was 2 laps - and 2 very steep climbs (and when I mean hills they both went up about a mile each) - Course was officially described as undulating but this was being very generous I should say. A mixture of off road - tarmac and muddy tracks also made it difficult underfoot. Weather was good though in the end bright sunshine and no rain, although a little bit breezy!

500+ runners done the race and I was keeping 8 min miles or just under for the 1st lap - but then I really already started to feel the distance (or lack of) in my legs. The hill again at 6 miles for a mile almost killed me, and seemed to reduce me to a shuffle. For the last 4 miles - loads of people past me -I don't think I overtook anyone and I was to be honest hating it - but struggled on, and after somehow getting up the last hill - the last 300 metre's or so on the flat were great.... Made a dash for the line (ok a slightly quicker shuffle!!) and crossed in 1 hr 23 mins and 3 secs. I compared to 5 years ago when was 1.16 - so not bad when I compare my fitness!

Overall although can't say I enjoyed the last 4 miles - I did enjoy getting back into the race scene as has been 15 months since I did my last running event (which is far too long) - nad I did beat my friend from work by 43 secs - after overtaking him at 1 mile -never saw him again - but had to keep looking over my shoulder due to my ever decreasing speed!!!!

I aim to get a few more runs under my belt this year and maybe will look at another cross country marathon later in the year -this was race 118 for me and still looking forward to a few more!!

At least its a decent start to 2012!!!