Keep on running by harrietemma

I had been happily thinking this race was on paths around the park.  I did it two years ago and that's how I remembered it.  Then on about Wednesday I checked the web page to make sure I had the right start time and the course description was "grass".  Then later it actually used the phrase "cross country". That sent me into a minor panic.  I now realise that in 2008 it must have been on grass too, but I had edited my memory box!

Had a debate last night - road shoes vs trail shoes.  Road shoes won just cos I haven't run in my trail shoes for ages.  I was ready for rain but in fact the rain stopped and this morning it was warm and windy...and very muddy!  On the PA they were explaining that they had altered the course because of the mud so couldn't guarantee it was 10k.  I decided to still call it 10k.

I positioned myself well back at the start, behind the group of bananas, and was pleased to find that I very quickly started picking people off.  It occured to me today that all my life I have tried to do "as well as the men" - don't know why as at 5'2" on a tall day I am probably not in the same league as many of them - and was particularly pleased each time I passed a man who seemed younger than me!  It wasn't easy conditions wise - pretty bumpy and very muddy in places, gusty wind and trying to rain, and there are a few long upwards slopes.  I did stop and walk for a bit between 4 and 5k, suffering with what felt like a stitch but in the middle of my tummy.  Then of course I had broken the walking barrier so I did take a few more walk breaks, especially as I started getting cramp in a couple of toes on my left foot.  My feet are probably my weakest area, and my toes are a bit odd as they are double jointed and can easily get themselves in a muddle.  Kevin has that too but it doesn't seem to interfere with his skateboarding.  But by this time there were an awful lot of people walking so I realised maybe it was a bit of a tough course.  I finished in 1:13:37 which is about 10 mins faster than 2 years ago and I think is only about a minute more than my 10k PB.  When I am not so tired I will look it all up (I try not to get too hung up on times but it's not easy!).  I was pretty pleased.  A bit disappointed not to run the whole thing but all in all I think that was to be expected.

Not sure what happened on the way out but it took about an hour queuing for the exit.  Might have been because it started raining so no-one wanted to hang around for burgers etc.  Then the traffic in Chelmsford was dreadful so it must have been about 3.30 before I got home via Tescos.  Decided to have a bit of a cheat break from my diet (allowed!) and cooked chicken fajitas for lunch.  They were delicious but I found the tortillas a bit stodgy and a bit much really.  Followed by one of those little tubs of Ben +Jerry's which was not at all too much!  Tonight back to normal with turkey steak, sweet potato and brocolli while Kevin has yorkshires and gravy with his.  I lost another pound this week which makes 9lb in the first four weeks.  I don't need to lose much more weight-wise (am now just over 9 stone) but could do with losing some more inches in certain places!  I do think that being lighter is really helping my running. 

This afternoon has not been a complete rest as I have been out on the marshes with Alfie.  He had a paddle in the mud so is spending the rest of the evening in the kitchen while the mud dries and drops off.  In the morning he will be lovely and silky and golden again and I can just sweep up the mud.  Tomorrow is his birthday - he will be one - I am hoping he will grow up a bit!  On Friday (my first day back at Uni for my part time course - a bit daunting but enjoyable too) he ate the garden thermometer.  Kevin was very worried by the time I got home but I decided (after a consultation over the phone with my vet cousin) to deal with it myself by giving him extra food, milk and rice (lucky me he thought) and sure enough he seems fine. 

Anyway back to running.  I won't be doing the Run10k next year.  Not because I didn't enjoy it, but because it will nearly be time for the Royal Parks Half which I am intending to enter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  For some really odd reason I am really excited.  I must be a runner then.  I have a BUPA training plan for half marathons which takes 16 weeks and am thinking of doing that, repeating each week so it takes 32 weeks, then doing it again, which should get me to this time next year and hopefully get a nice result at the Bupa 10k in the meantime.  Does this sound reasonable?  I am always happier with my running when I have a goal, and this is a more substantial one than I have had for some time.

That's enough thinking for now.  Off to slob in front of the tv and have an early night!