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!!