VLM to Edinburgh, the journey continues! by jenjo

Last monday i ran the Westonbirt 10K. The weather wasnt particularly good as it was raining and there were lots of puddles on the tracks. It was a really nice run, around the Arboretum and very well organised. there were alot of runners and supporters from my running club so a good atmosphere. I started quite far up the pack so got carried along at the start and it felt like a sprint for the first few hundred yards! Fun but i regretted it later. I then ran with a girl from my club for the first half, there was a hill in the middle and i pulled slightly in front of her. I really struggled between 7-9km but was conscious that my club mate was close behind me, this kept me going and pushing to the end, i was sure she was going to happily sprint past me along the finishing stretch..... She didnt!! Small victory for me! Even though she is recovering from injury i will take that win!!!

I managed a PB so was very pleased, running with my club mate and my inhead rivalry kept me pushing to the end. No trees this year but a very nice mug with a tree and the date on one side and a crown and Jubilee logo on the other. My coffee cup at work has been demoted and i am the proud owner of a new one!

I then rested tuesday and wednesday as my  legs were tired, thurs and fri were gym days and i had the weekend off. Last week was another good running week.

I ran monday and wednesday, gym thurs and friday. On Saturday i went for a recce of my leg of the Cotswold Way in preperation for this weekends relay race. Eeek, am very scared.

The start is an uphill climb that i was puffed out after just walking up it! Think i will have to walk it as not sure how i could run it due to the steepness and for needing to run another 10.5k!! The next 3 miles are around the edge of a golf course and has beautiful views (worth the climb up hill). After the golf course it is down through some woods, up another steep hill then across some fields before a killer of a climb up some uneven steps  (next scary point, and walking point). Then it is through some woods and downhill to the finish.

I am glad i have been around the route as i missed a couple of waymarkers on saturday so next weekend i should not get lost, however i am having nightmares where everyone skips up the hill from the start and i am huffing and puffing at a walk behind them :-( There is also a cut off time which i am in danger of going past.... :-(

Friday was Tom Jones night!! It was such a fun night, some new songs and old classics, he still sounds as strong as before and we all had a good sing and dance.

I will be taking it easy this week in preparation for Saturdays Relay. Also, Saturday was my first run over 10 miles since london! I ran my cotswold way route and half way back so took gels (not as sickly as i remember) and it felt really good to finally get back into double figures for a run. Just need to keep it up now ;-)

Happy Running