I'd saw the run advertised a while ago but didn't really fancy it, but last weekend (with just seven days to until the race) I had a stroke of madness and decided to go for it. There are a couple of reasons for this:
- I wanted to get rid of my demons from how badly Thoresby went
- Everyone on Notts Women Runners (NWR) seemed to be signed up for it and it sounded like it was going to be a great event
- The medal is cool!
So in a wave of excitement I signed myself up, and then within seconds wondered what the hell I was thinking. I've been hammering it at the gym just lately, but I hadn't actually ran more than five kilometers since the horror of Thoresby. So I set about the treadmill and did 8k that afternoon in a good pace of sub 50mins and by that evening I was raring to go and looking forward to the race.
Unusually for me, this feeling of confidence and excitement lasted all week, no nervous wobbles or 'what have i let myself in for' moments at all! Again, I think this feeling was massively spurred on my the buzz on NWR's Facebook about it!
As the weekend approached and the weather forecast came in, it started to become clear it was going to be a cold one, but flipping heck I was not prepared for quite how freezing! Getting out of bed was a real struggle on Sunday morning and I was properly cursing myself for such a crazy idea!
But get out of get I did and, still feeling slightly excited, went through my pre-race routines (beans on toast and flapjack, if you're wondering) and got in my car ready to go. Now, I've lived in loads of different places around Nottingham over the last few years, but I've got a shocker of a sense of direction so the journey there was interesting to say the least. By the time I got to Wollaton Hall there was a good gathering of racers and the atmosphere was really building.
For anyone who doesn't know what Mo Running is, it's a series of events organised by the popular Movember charity to let the moustache growers show off their recently acquired by taking part in either a 5k or 10k run. People fully embraced the theme and I was gutted when I realised I'd forgotten to draw myself a Mo!!
Before I knew it, it was time to peel of my hoody and part with my scarf and head for the start line. The atmosphere was great and I was more than ready and raring to go - even when faced with an absolute bitch of a starting hill that dominated the start of the race! I followed the crowd, though and headed up the hill, around the corner and set about tackling this 10k.
By around the 2,5k mark I could finally feel my feet again, just in time for one of the many hills! I can't remember who it was, but when I was contemplating this run someone told me Wollaton Park was fairly flat.. If I ever remember who they are they'll no longer be my friend! Just look at this for an elevation map!
Despite the plentiful hills, by the end of the first lap I was still thoroughly enjoying the race! I hadn't hit my usual 4k wall and was looking forward to the second lap. The support from the spectators and marshals was like none of the other races I've ran, I don't think I've ever high-fived so many people. I knew I needed to up my pace a bit for the second half to come in at a decent time as I'd held back for the first few km's in fear of a Thoresby repeat.
So I kept an eager eye on my watch as I trotted my way around the beautiful 16th century hall and the kilormeters seemed to fly by. As I came up the final hill and caught sight of my Dad I was almost a bit disappointed I was reaching the end.
As I made my way towards the finish tunnel I was quite nervous, it was steep, slightly slippy and I'm not the most steady on my feet. So instead of my normal full-pelt finish, it was more of a delicate (well as delicate as I get..) jog down the hill.
Unknown to me, as I did my delicate jog, there were camera there recording my face - fortunately for me the photos are subject to copyright so I've got a good excuse not to post them here, but here are a few of the better photos (taken by the talented Katie Wright from my fan club!)
Final timing came in at 1:03:14, which is only 20(ish) seconds behind my personal best so I'm absolutely delighted considering the hills! All in all, my favourite run so far and has absolutely restored after the Thoresby struggle.
Next plans are for the Santa run which is in three week's time and I'm really really excited!!
