Well. what a weekend filled with sporting activities I’ve had!
There was no partying after Eastern Sur5al for me, because I had to get up stupidly early to get down and pick up my number for the Trowse 10k which starts at 9am. Last year I called the Trowse 10k “My Slowest Yet“, but this year I was pretty convinced I was shaping up for an even slower one as I’m still trying to get some of my fitness back after all of last years health hassles, and most of my recent longer runs have been at 10:30-11 minute mile pace.
Still, I didn’t really care, it was a sunny morning and for the first time in my life I was going to have actual spectators on the route as my Mum & Dad were coming to watch!
Sunday really was a beautiful day and I set off feeling pretty comfortable and focusing just on keeping my breathing steady and light and regular. The most depressing bit if you’re on the slower side is that the Trowse 10k course starts alongside a river, before doubling back on itself on the other side. This means that being near the back you get to see all the faster people running along the other side, while once you get round there yourself the other side of the river you just ran along is deserted and you start thinking “blimey, am I last? Like really last?” and resisting the urge to look over your shoulder.
My keep it steady strategy pretty soon paid off, as people who’d set off too fast started to slow down and walk. I saw my Mum & Dad as I went through Trowse village and handily fobbed my jacket off on them before tackling that evil hill. This time round I managed to run the hill both times, and it wasn’t that bad. I’ve obviously built some leg strength in the past couple of years!
I even had enough oomph left for a bit of a sprint across the finish line, meaning my official race photo from Epic Action Imagery, has me with BOTH FEET ACTUALLY OFF THE GROUND!
That last sprint did leave me having to lean on the person who was trying to remove my timing chip as I came over all dizzy (and gave them the wrong foot because I’m stupid), but I got over it pretty quick! My eventual chip time was 1 hour 3 minutes and 50 seconds. I’m some way off a personal best, but faster than last year, and I didn’t feel like I was going to die (much) so I’m pretty pleased with that for now!
Plus, you know, I do love a medal and a banana!
