Run > Race

A last min decision to face up to thing and see where I'm at witht this running business. Decided a 10k rather than the half marathon was a better idea and headed, alone, to the Stratford Raceways which takes place on an airfield. Reminded me of my previous running life, journeying alone to an event where I probably wouldn't know or recognise anyone and the nerves started (been such a long time since I did a race where I wuld be expecting to actually run the whole thing!). Was relieved to find a great turn out, many of which looked like runners who may be new to the racing scene and I was confident that I would be nowhere near last after all!!

Was a 2 lap race so decided from the beginning to time it as 2 5k's so I could see at which stage I start to flail, determine whether I'm still a natural negative splitter at this level of fitness (I knew I wasn't going to be), just wanted a load of raw, hard facts to face and work upon.

First lap wasn't too bad. Felt like I was going at a reasonable pace but I was breathing hard and giving it a good go. Lap 2 I was starting to feel a little fatigued, and by 4.5M I needed my first very brief walking break. My legs were really strugglinf with continually running at this pace. Breathing wasn't really the prob it was defo my legs and also the soles of my feet!! From then on I had another 4 brief walking breaks and the soles of my feet began to feel red-raw!!

Well there it is ... the best I could do. Quite pleased with the result really. A good base to get running again on and a 5K and 10K time to work on!

5K = 26:35

10K = 54:39