10k Run

So today I went to Woodhall Spa to run the 10k. The idea was Anna's, one late Saturday night, a few weeks ago...now I found myself at the start line with around 1,000 others, all in their special running kit. I wore my RAF Reserves T-shirt I'd begged for on Wednesday.

We were given a chip, which you tie to your shoe, and gives you your exact time. Don't ask me how it works, but it's a very clever bit of kit. On the start line then, we waited for the 'off'. People ahead started to shuffle forward...this was it! A few things ran through my mind 'Would I make it?', 'If I do, will I get a fast time?', and 'I need a pee'.

I started off slow, to warm up, keeping with Roger and Denise for a few hundred metres. We had already discussed tactics, deciding to run at our own pace. So Anna shot off, not wanting to lose her natural rhythm. I spotted a couple of crazy blokes in full Army greens with bergens...hang on, I thought, I recognise him! He was in my squadron, running for Help for Heroes. 'Good effort' I said, as I ran by.

I decided to shoot off myself, and after 2k, felt absolutely fine, a water station broke up the monotony. I tried to get my mind to drift, to not think about running, but to switch on to autopilot. I seemed to get further like that, without noticing I was expending any effort.

After 4k, with a little light shower and a bit of a wind, I started to feel pretty tired, and wondering where the halfway point was. Not knowing the course, it was difficult to say to myself, 'Just up here...not far to go'. I had no idea. Next time I'll definitely recce beforehand.

If there is a next time.

Kilometres 4-7 were the hardest, not knowing the course, going a little uphill, feeling tired. I had in my mind that I would probably get to the 8km point and try to sprint home from there to get a good time, but my fatigue was saying 'Don't bother with that plan!'. However, from somewhere came the idea to use different muscles to run with, since they had been underused. It's hard to explain but instead of running normally, I adopted an approach of skimming the ground, using my quads to move my legs forward, instead of pushing with my glutes. This gave them a rest and actually I found myself speeding up and overtaking people. I then decided to employ my calves and started leaping, rather than running, so I started covering some decent ground. Before I knew it, up came the 9k sign and I felt fine.

I dropped to my normal speed as those muscles started to burn - I decided to make it to 9.7km and sprint the last....which I did.

I ran to the finish, feeling tired, but feeling also a sense of achievement. I thought I'd meet Anna, but it seems I passed her somewhere...she came in about 2 minutes later. I got my medal, free water and decided to go and cheer on Roger and Denise. Anna and I decided to run up a bit further and run in with them for that extra encouragement.

After a few minutes we saw them turn the last corner....we jogged alongside. At the end we congratulated each other - we'd made it!

I'm not in a major hurry to do another, but, being competitive, I can't help but think I'll increase the distance next time!