On your marks, Get set, GO!

Race Day!

A 10k race. That'll be easy! I've run 2 half marathons, so a 10k is nothing! 

Lies.

There is probably a reason why most people do a 10k to train for a half marathon, not the other way around. 

I was sneezing all night last night, and relegated myself to the sofa, so as not to keep Mr Runner awake. I was also panicking about the fact that I was going to have to wake up at 7.30am on a Sunday! Oh the horror! So it was about 3am before I actually fell asleep, and then woke up with a face like a puffer fish, due to all the sneezing. So I was off to a good start.

Not to be deterred by this, I took a few gulps of tea to wash down a crumpet, laced up my trainers, and headed off to the race.

I was a bit anxious about where I would get parked, so more or less abandoned my car at the opposite end of the common from the start line, and then had to run to the start line to make sure I didn't miss the race. It was fine. I made it on time. Just. And then we were off. 

Very quickly I realised that a couple of gulps of tea was probably not enough to hydrate me for a race, when the temperature was already hitting 15 degrees. It was fine though, I told myself, don't worry. It's only 10k, it'll be over before you know it. 

More lies.

3k in and I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the water station. Oh look. There's my car. I could just...best not to. Keep going.

5k. WATER! Thank God. 

6k. I can see my car again...

7k. I'm sooo tired. I can't do this anymore. I'm going to have to walk.

Luckily, a nice man told me to keep running. He ran with me the final 3k to the finish line, and I made it. Not in the time I was hoping for, but I finished the race.

I am very grateful to the man who picked my spirits up when I was ready to quit. As well as the friends who were marshalling around the course. It was a real booster hearing them encourage me and this spurred me on even more. 

There were no sprint finishes for me today, I was just glad I made it. However, today showed me that running isn't about winning races, or beating personal bests, but about the friends you make along the way, and supporting and encouraging each other. It's a team effort getting round that course, no matter what the distance. 

Now I'm off for a finishers brunch :) All the food for me! I deserve it!