This is the first year that Race for Life has been in Halifax, probably the reason it was the 2nd fastest one to 'sell out'. 2140 people in total took part and my number was 143, my friend was number 6! I didn't actually see numbers 1-5.
Ok so I'll get my official stats out of the way first (thanks to my lovely garmin which is finally being put to good use)
Total distance - 5km (pleased with this as sometimes they can be too short/too long)
Total time - 30:00 (whooop!!)
Avg speed - 9.6kh/h
Max speed - 14.4km/h (my little legs - who knew they could move so fast?!)
Total calories - 369
I was really nervous about this race today. Not 100% sure why, I run the distance reguarly so I knew I would be able to run it. I think the problem is something which I have started to notice which surprised me... I am quite competitive. Not so much with my friends, more myself and people I don't know. For example, I run around Ogden Water every Wednesday with 2 of my friends. Before my training started properly for Bristol Half I would only go round twice (2.2 miles) but then one day we were actually having fun, so we just carried on. In the end we did 4 miles. So when we go now I have to do this distance. It's now on my training plan so it has to be done and I planned the other runs around it. I can't go over otherwise it will mess it up and I won't allow myself to do less. I will allow myself walk breaks if needed though. So the thought of 'sharing' my run today with so many people made me feel nervous. Would I get moody if people got in my way? Would I be able to do it in 30 minutes like I really wanted? Could I cope with a run that's meant to be fun or would I take it too seriously? And would I look stupid since I forgot to get a pink top to wear?
I shouldn't have worried so much. When I got there I had a laugh doing the warm with my friends and then was in tears as some lady told us the story of how she was running it every year until she couldn't in memory of her daughter who died of cancer aged 8, really made me realise that we were there for a serious reason and how important it is. When they called for the runners to go at the front, I headed with them. I was only 3 rows back. Off we went, it started down hill and I set off at a pace which I knew was too fast, but a quick check behind me and I didnt dare slow down just yet. Far too many people and I didn't want to be the person getting in the way after 2 minutes. So I carried on, thankfully (well I thought so anyway) we started to change direction which invloved a slight hill. This hill was to be the first of 3.
The first 3km seemed to go really quickly, I remember thinking 'as if I am over half way already' Then I looked ahead and saw the 2nd hill. I know this hill, its by the place we went for our wedding photos. So to get me up the hill I passed the time by remembering where we stood for photos and remembering walking up the hill with my husband laughing as we didn't know what we were supposed to be talking out.
The last km was all up hill. Horrible. But somehow I managed it. I am putting this down to the fact I was too stubborn to walk so close to the end. The crowd were cheering, the lined the whole way to the finish so I just carried on. I crossed the line just as my watched beeped for the 30 minute indicator I had set. I was very happy...for a few moments anyways, until the person infront of me was sick. Not nice at all. Felt a bit sorry for her.
One of my friends finished in 34 minutes and the other 2 finished it in 42 minutes. Was lovely seeing everyone crossing the line and hugging each other. Next year when I am not training for anything I will do it more as a fun run I think. Then I'll have someone to hug when I finish.
Thoughts on Bristol today - I need to remember to smile when I cross the finish line. Hubs told me I looked very serious today haha.
No comments:
Post a Comment