The Time is Now - 12 months, 12 events. by ginagordon

Billericay 10k – 2^nd November 2008.

Given that I’d run 10 miles a few weeks before I was looking forward to this event.  It was my second year and I’d managed a pb last year so had hopes of a good time.  As was the trend this year I had not managed as much training beforehand as I’d hoped but was sure I’d still do ok.

It was a very misty morning, cold and damp but if you race in November you have to expect poor weather.  This is a popular run so there were a lot of people at the start.  I lined up in my normal position – towards the back and we were off.  An uphill start seems a bit cruel but it’s a great way to warm up and the camaraderie in the crowd during the first few km is always good.  Looking along the road at all the mad runners in the freezing mist I felt very proud to be part of it all.

I soon settled into my pace and enjoyed being further up the field (relatively) than at the Tiptree 10.  It’s nicer to run with more people around.  The ‘new’ running style was now becoming my normal running style so I found I was quite relaxed and enjoying myself.  I like the Billericay route as it’s undulating but not hilly.  The undulations mean you naturally change pace slightly throughout the run and as I did last year I concentrated on keeping a steady pace uphill then relaxing on the downhill stretches. 

I must admit though I was caught out in the last km.  I thought the distance between coming into town and reaching the finish line was a lot shorter – it seemed it in my memory!  So as I came into town I speeded up a bit, then as the road got longer and longer I began to flag a bit.  After going past one couple by overtaking them in the road I really couldn’t then slow down again so I kept at it but it did hurt.  By the time I made the final turn and was on the downhill stretch to the finish I was struggling but determined to keep going.  Seeing the finish line itself gave me the impetus and I ‘sprinted’ to the line to finish in 1:03:43.  A pb by a few seconds! 

Stebbing 10 – 9^th November 2008.

One week later and I was lining up for my second 10 mile run.  This event is known as the remembrance 10 (as it was remembrance Sunday) and the 2 minute silence before the start was well-observed, again it made me proud to be part of the running community.

I was not familiar with this area of Essex.  The village itself was very pretty and the first mile looped around it before heading back past the start and out into the countryside.  I found this first mile quite tough, it was undulating and because it was such a small field I was very close to the back which I don’t like.  After this section the route goes downhill and I found that once I’d reached the end of the hill I was feeling better.

Again, this was a lovely route, very rural and quiet.  The more runs I do the more I am finding myself targeting people to overtake or keep pace with.  When I first started running my aim was just to complete the distance and (hopefully) get a pb with no thoughts of beating anyone except the clock.  Now I find myself actually ‘racing’ in the broadest sense of the word.  My strategy really worked well around the 5 mile mark, it was open fields and the headwind was strong.  I’d been working my way up gradually to a group of four and instead of overtaking them I was very cheeky and drafted them for a while.  It worked and I didn’t suffer too much from the headwind.  Once we reached a more sheltered stretch I overtook them.  I do have to say though that a couple of them overtook me in the final miles!

Knowing I was capable of doing the distance helped during the tougher stretches, and there were several tough bits, this route is far more undulating than the Tiptree route.  The worst stretch is the hill about 8 ½ miles.  It starts out gentle and then the incline gradually increases, when you’ve already been running for well over an hour it’s a killer.  I managed to keep running all the way, although my hill running pace is slower than an asthmatic tortoise.

It was around this time that my pet hate began to appear.  The fast finishers, complete with race t-shirts cooling down.  Do they do it deliberately to taunt us plodders??  Look at me, I’ve finished already and I didn’t even break into a sweat!! 

This time though I ended up ashamed of thinking that about the faster guys.  About ¾ of a mile from the finish a couple of runners wearing their finishers t-shirts came towards me.  I recognised one of them as I’d chatted to him at the start of a couple of Triathlons earlier in the year.  They started running alongside the guy in front of me, from what I could see they were club-mates and they’d come back to give him some company on the last stretch. 

As I overtook them the guy from the triathlons started running with me, we chatted (well he chatted, I gasped) and then he turned to his mates and said he was ‘changing allegiance’ and taking me in.  Gradually he increased the pace and where I would normally have struggled with this having someone ‘pull’ me along really helped.  By the final stretch he realised I couldn’t speak any more so just ran along slightly in front and again increased his speed.  I found myself running to the finish at a pretty good pace (for me) and my friend dropped away just as I turned into the finish line at 1:46:25.  I didn’t get a chance to thank him but I’m sure his help meant I beat my Tiptree time.

My legs didn’t hurt quite as much this time but I was still pretty tired afterwards.  Having done two 10 mile runs I thought about running the Brentwood Half Marathon in March 2009.  Another three miles couldn’t be that bad could it?

Chelmsford 10k – 19^th November 2008.

For the third weekend in a row we were up early to go to a race.  This time a 10k.  I’d never run this one before and was looking forward to the finish which was in a stadium. 

The weather was horrendous, high winds and pelting rain.  We sat in the car and wondered why the hell we did this stuff!  Luckily though, the rain clouds passed over and by the time we set off on a short jog to the start there was little more than a drizzle.  Even so I’d decided it was best not to take the ipod this time.  It only barely survived the drenching at the Southend 10k so best not to tempt fate.

The field for this race appeared quite small for some reason but the atmosphere was good.  I positioned myself near the back and waited for the off.  It felt very odd not to have the ipod, I’m so used to running with it.  We set off and I found it extremely difficult to settle into a comfortable pace, I guess it shows how reliant I have come to be on the music.  I didn’t like hearing my feet hitting the pavement and how heavy my breathing was either, it really put me off my stride. 

On a normal run I’m warmed up and comfortable after about 10 mins, this time however it took me a lot longer to settle down, I didn’t feel right until about 2k in.  Finally I got used to the sound of my breathing and my plodding and I could relax a bit and appreciate the surroundings.  The run takes you out of Chelmsford and through some of the pretty lanes and villages on the outskirts.  The traffic was quiet and it was well-marshalled.

The route was relatively flat although there was a bit of a steep climb about 8k, very short though so no real problem.  After running the 10 mile races the time seemed to fly by and before I knew it I was heading back into town and towards the stadium.  After the nice lanes I was not too keen on this section, I don’t particularly like running along narrow pavements and for once I was glad to be near the back where the field was spread out.  I wouldn’t like to be running in a big crowd along there. 

The last stretch is an uphill incline, I put a bit of an effort in to keep the legs going, it was my last run of the season so wanted to give it my all.  I passed a couple of other runners which felt good.  We turned off the road and into the park,  my legs were feeling pretty shot and I was then worrying that we had to do a whole lap of the stadium, I had visions of getting half way around and my legs giving in!  It was only a short 100m section on the track and it felt great.  I’d not really looked at my watch that much so wasn’t sure what my time would be.  I was so excited to see the time on the clock.  I crossed the line with a big grin on my face.

My last run of 2008 and I’d achieved a pb of 1:02:09, taking over 1 min off my previous pb!  What a way to finish the season.

Au Revoir.

To all those who have been following my blog and supporting me this year I thank you.  I hope you have enjoyed reading it and I’m sorry this last entry is so late!  I had it ready on my pc months ago and forgot to post it.

I have enjoyed writing this blog and recording my thoughts and feelings about the different events.  It’s interesting to look back now and see how much I’ve done. 

It looks as if 2009 is going to be even busier.  18 events (potentially) in the calendar let alone the fact I’ve joined a cycling club and will be taking part in time trials and possibly road racing.  I’m looking forward to it…….

Like a lot of events this year it had seemed a good idea to enter a ten mile run at the time but faced with actually doing the event I wasn’t so sure.

10km was the furthest I’d ever run which equates to 6.2 miles so I was almost doubling the distance.  With the idea of doing a longer triathlon next year in mind I need to increase my running distance and endurance.  Therefore it was with a ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ attitude I lined up at the start.  There wasn’t a huge amount of people entered and the vast majority were wearing club vests so I was slightly concerned that I would come in last.  Luckily though – especially compared with the Southend 10k the week before – the weather was sunny and, for the middle of October, pretty warm. 

The first few miles went well.  It was all downhill and I followed my usual race tactic of starting at a steady pace and not haring off too fast.  I had decided that the best way to deal with the increased distance was to just think about finishing ‘10’.  Not 10k or 10 miles, just ‘10’.  As I’m used to 10k’s it did seem a long time between markers but the strategy of not thinking about the actual distance did seem to help mentally. 

The course was lovely, threading it’s way through some lovely country lanes and small villages.  The quiet roads meant there were hardly any cars to worry about.  Being near the back there wasn’t a huge group of people to pace with, just a few of us spread out thinly.  I tried my best to keep up with people in front and not get overtaken too much and gradually the markers went by.

By the 7 marker I was beginning to tire somewhat.  I had a gel to perk me up and slowed the pace slightly to give myself a break.  I knew that somewhere after the 8 marker we would head back uphill to the finish so wanted to keep something in reserve for that.  I still didn’t feel the need to walk at all which was great. 

The hill at about 8 wasn’t very steep but it did go on for quite a while and there were quite a few people walking it.  After running the furthest distance I’ve ever run I really didn’t need this but I kept my legs going and plugged away at it.  Just as I was nearing the top I started to see people who’d finished running the other way.  One was nice enough to tell me that it was all downhill from there.  I smiled and thanked him but inside I was actually really annoyed.  I know I’m slow, I don’t need patronising by someone who’s already finished ages ago and looks like they’ve been for a Sunday morning stroll when I’ve still got 1.5 miles to go!!!  I guess I am being unfair but I do always get fed up at seeing the faster finishers running the course in reverse to ‘cool down’. 

He was right though.  Soon I was back on the outskirts of Tiptree and almost home.  By this time my thighs were hurting like never before but I was determined to finish at a run.  There was no way I was attempting my usual ‘sprint’ finish though.  A slow trudge over the line would have to do and at least I wasn’t the last runner to finish.  As usual Jon was waiting at the finish for me (and took some photos in which I look remarkably bad).  I stumbled over the line at 1:47:33.  My legs were so painful and I was exhausted but so pleased to have finished my first ten mile run!!

Southend 10k 5^th October 2008.

Since I first tried running without socks as part of my tri training my running style has changed.  I found that if I landed on my heels the trainers rubbed my Achilles but if I landed more mid-foot or on my toes they didn’t.  The more I ran like this the more I realised I was running faster, easier.  I noticed this most on the Blackwater tri run leg, despite a distinct lack of training my pace on the run was a pb.  That’s a pb for all runs not just the tri. 

As always though, there was a downside.  The few longer runs I had managed with this new style had resulted in a pain in the side of my foot.  It came on once I’d finished and would linger for a day or two.  It wasn’t too bad but it did stop me training and I was a bit worried that I was doing myself an injury.  So, we went off to the running shop at Bluewater for a gait analysis and maybe some new trainers.  The last time I was analysed I was pretty-much a beginner so I was due a check over.

The lady in the running shop was really helpful and it was fascinating to see myself run.  Watching the video it was pretty obvious that I’m a neutral runner, everything was nice and straight and there was no lean in my ankles.  I had been wearing shoes with support and it turns out I no longer need that so £85 later I’ve got my shiny new neutral trainers.  I do love getting new kit!   Unfortunately I didn’t have time to wear them in before the Southend 10k but at least now I know that my running form is pretty good (but still very slow).

So, race day dawned.  Wet.  Very wet.  I tried to tell myself that we’d had good weather for the last two years so we were due a dodgy one but it didn’t help at all.  I was not looking forward to running in a rain storm even with my waterproof jacket. 

We got there quite early as we normally do, we like to relax before an event and not arrive all stressed out just before the start.  Usually the hour or so before this race is a very social time, everyone congregates in the field near the finish area and we normally see a few people we know.  This time, although the rain wasn’t too heavy, most people seemed to be waiting in their cars until the start.  We walked Charlie round the field a few times and then it was time to brave the elements and get ready for the start.

I was in two minds about taking my ipod because the weather was forecast to be so bad but what with the foot problem (and if I’m honest motivation problems) I’d not trained very much and thought the music would help keep me going in the tough spots.  It was raining quite hard by the time we lined up at the start.  It didn’t feel too bad in the crowd while we waited for the gun but I was dreading hitting the seafront where there was no protection from the elements.

The siren went and we were off.  The crowd thinned pretty quickly and as I headed towards the seafront I could feel the blast of the wind and the rain hit me full in the face.  Strangely enough I felt quite elated, I felt that although I’m a slow runner and I’ll never win any prizes I’m still a real runner.  I had to be to even think of running in this weather! 

I remembered my form and kept on my toes, I struggled not to start too fast, it felt quite easy and I was tempted to go all out but experience has taught me that’s a bad idea so I held myself back slightly for the first km.  Normally there’s a lot of support along this stretch but there wasn’t as many crowds as usual, I was pleased to see any considering the weather.  And, I always feel for the marshalls, as bad as running in this weather is it must be far worse to stand and marshall so thanks to all those who give up their time.

Once past the pier and out of the shelter of the sea wall the full force of the wind and rain hit.  It was not nice.  The headwind sapped what little speed I did have and the rain was dripping down my face.  I had got to the point where I couldn’t get any wetter and it wasn’t pleasant.  My feet were squelching but it was the wind that was the most demoralising aspect.  I tried to console myself with the fact that if I was facing the wind on the way out it would be behind me on the way back.  It really wasn’t much consolation but it helped a bit. 

I was going along quite nicely, keeping pace with people who normally would have pulled ahead and lost me.  I got into a nice rhythm and although the wind and rain were awful I felt fine.  What really pleased me this time was how far I’d got before Jon passed me coming back the other way, the first year we ran this I’d barely got to the casino, this year I was almost 4k in. 

The rain began to ease off as I approached the halfway point.  Everything was feeling fine, no pain in the foot, heart rate a bit high but manageable, legs still had energy in them.  I checked the time and was pleased to see I was pretty much on time for a reasonable run, that surprised me a bit as I felt the headwind had slowed me down somewhat. 

The second half of the race was better.  As sod’s law would have it the wind had dropped and the rain eased off, typical when the wind was now behind me and I could have done with the help!  It was still drizzling but at least I began to dry out a bit and my hair was no longer dripping.  I began to tire somewhat by 7 ½ Km but instead of slowing down and conserving my energy like I usually did I decided to keep at it.  I know I can do the distance and if I’m ever improve my performance I need to start pushing it harder. 

It was tough, my legs were beginning to feel the effects but I didn’t have any pain anywhere else like my hip or foot so knew I just needed to keep going.  I really had to grit my teeth between 8 ½ and 9 ½ Km, my legs were beginning to feel like lead but I wouldn’t let myself stop.  A lovely marshall was telling us only 500m to go and that was just what I needed to hear.  There was no chance of a sprint finish but at least I could keep the pace up and get to the finish.  I love the finish line at Southend, you turn off the seafront and it’s a lovely little downhill before you enter the park.  A short sprint on the grass and you’re over the line. 

1:03:30!  Not exactly the result I’d planned at the beginning of the year but it was still a pb so I was really happy with it.  I was also really happy that I’d managed to push myself and not get into a negative thought cycle as has happened so many times before.  Even with so little training recently I really feel like my running is coming together now.