As a result of this, and heavily influenced by Storm Doris's rain, wind any everything else in between, I came the closest I've ever came to sacking off a planned race. I hadn't done nearly as much training as I wanted to, the course (two laps of Holme Pierrepont lake) wasn't very exciting and I don't 'do' cold and rain so by mid-week I was all but ready to cancel my 7am Sunday alarm and be done with it.
But I didn't. Spurred on with some encouraging words from the ladies in my running club and not being one for giving up, I thought better of it. And as the weekend ticked round and I began that familiar pre-race routine I even started to feel quite excited.
One of my favourite parts of any race is the buzz on the start line and the Cough Taylor 10k had a really friendly atmosphere as everyone huddled in the wind making small talk and getting ready to go.
I set off surprised at how strong I felt, my feet fell into a good rhythm quite quickly, it was a flat course and that great atmosphere from the start line was continuing through the first couple of miles. Lack of training at the back of my mind, I had this.
Then I changed direction at the top of the lake.
My God the wind! I honestly don't think I've ever ran in wind like it. It was like running through a horrible two-mile wind tunnel and it was bloody hard work. Everything ached, my ears were ringing, and eyes and nose streaming. I did not have this.
Things didn't get much better after I finally turned into the second lap of the course and away from the wind either. As if I didn't have enough to be dealing with, a flipping massive attack of stitch crept up on me, making to slow to a walk for about the 5th time in the race. It was at this point, as I awkwardly walked around holding onto my side that I even started thinking along the lines of "If I threw my myself onto the floor and hurt myself, I'd have to pull out of the race"... I think the only thing stopping me was the worry of ruining one of my favourite pairs of capris.
Persevering through I trotted into a run again and ended up falling into pace with a lady who was running beside me nicely in time for that evil second half of the lap again. Able to speak just enough to get a few words out, we both agreed that it seemed to be even worse this time, it was fully evil.
But we plodded on, offering a few words of encouragement here and there until we were into the last mile-ish when another woman came up and started with the "come on ladies we're nearly there" etc. And we were!!
Once again I started with the "I've got this, I'm doing it" thoughts, we were round the last corner and the end was in sight! I'd used absolutely everything I had in those bloody winds so there was no sprint finish this time but I finally crossed the line and I'd done it!!
Time-wise, it was my slowest race ever by a good couple of minutes. But I really did like it. I liked being with other runners and that excellent sense of community and the contrast it had to the friendly rivalry between those of us in red tops and those in blue. All in all, a decent morning and a good first race of 2017!
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| I do bloody love medals |
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| Two laps, not a bad pace overall really, and looks like they threw in an extra 230m! |
