Race day has arrived!
Woke up and my knee felt terrible so a bit worried about it. Couldn’t actually believe that I felt nervous. I think I was most worried of getting parked up and getting to the race in time to warm up properly.
Only had one cup of coffee beforehand which is quite a challenge for me, a banana and about a litre of water. Drank my electrolyte drink in the car after arriving and getting my number which was about an hour before the race. Started my warm up at 9.10. Jogged a kilometres and then did a few pre-run dynamic stretches. Had a good read of this section in Paula’s book this morning. Wanting to give my muscles the best chance possible. Cross overs and side to side hip swings and forward back hip swings were my main focus as well as some lunges and knee flicks too.
Didn’t actually catch up with anyone from VPRC until actually getting to the start where Dan Dunbobbin shouted out to me. John Fitzpatrick and Marie Arnold also there ready for the start. Only there for a couple of minutes before the race actually started. So glad I wasn’t standing around for long. Interesting to see that this race with 1500 entries didn’t have any group starts like the High Legh. But it seemed about right were we were as didn’t really get passed by too many people.
John, Dan and I ran together for little more than the first kilometre where John just zoomed on ahead. I said to Dan not to bother chasing him and that no doubt he would come unstuck later as he had started too fast. The first kilometre was 5.04 so bang on with getting in at the 50ish time. Dan seemed happy with the pace and had the goal of under 55 minutes. My goal, under my last race at 52.47, but ideally to get around 51. I had originally planned 50 but given knee issue, took a minute off so as not to push the injury any further.
Then let Dan set the pace and I kept with him for the next couple of km but I said after the 2nd that we were going too fast at 4.52 and needed to steady but were still at 4.54 for the third. At this point I was relieved that my knee was not hurting at all. Could feel some tightness in my right thigh and gluts. Need to have this looked at and wondering if this is because of compensating for knee on the left.
the fourth kilometre it felt like my feet were on fire. They were so warm. Problem is I need the two pairs of socks because of the blisters, so perhaps I need to get some thinner socks! I was also feeling really thirsty as the sun was out and even with the breeze every so often it really was warm. Just before the 5km marker there was a water station. Couldn’t have come at a better time. Blessed relief. This is where I did end up slowing down as I was worried about getting a stitch whilst drinking the water. Tried to take in as much as I could. Wanted to hold onto the bottle but didn’t want to at the same time as it can unbalance the running. Managed about 100m and then threw it. There is something quite liberating about being able to litter on race day! This slowed the speed downs to 5.04 and the 5.17 which was after I let Dan go on ahead. I said you have you steady pace, stick to it and just carry on. I have my pace and I will stick to that. Perhaps I could have stayed with Dan but I didn’t want to take any chances really. I had to listen to my body and it said stay with what you are doing!
Obviously when I heard Strava say the 5th kilometre was 5.17 I was annoyed with myself for slowing down too much so I sped back up get to 5.09 which had been my original planned speed, with possibly a bit faster for the last couple if legs permitted. Felt great with the breathing at this point and very happy with how my knee felt. My hip still really tight, but I think the stretches I had done had really helped else there would have been a lot tighter. The jogging no doubt helped warm up my knee too.
I managed to keep this pace up and the 7th was 5.07 and this is where I caught John up just past the 7km marker. He looked to be struggling. I didn’t want to distract him as he really should have been taking it easy with having an half marathon tomorrow. Most people I am sure would say he shouldn’t have raced and should have rested…but not John!!! After I passed him, he caught me up again, then passed me then slowed down and then passed me again. He kept this yo-yoing up for the next two kilometres. I have to say it was a tad distracting and I don’t know how he managed running changing his pace all the time. For the 8th and 9th kilometres I did slow down at 5.19 and 5.15 but partly I was distracted but also hip very tight.
When I got to coming up to the 9km marker I knew I needed to pick up the pace once more. It would have been nice to have a sub 5min but I just thought I would go the best I could. John caught up with me again but I told him for talking to me “John shut up, I’m concentrating” I said. I could hear him behind me for a little while and then just carried on. Legs felt quite light actually as I turned into Arley Hall for the finish. Didn’t really feel that I would get much of a sprint in because of the gravel finish but picked up pace a little for the final stretch. I didn’t actually see the clock so don’t actually know what the gun time was. The last kilometre was 5.07 so happy with that. Didn’t really feel out of breath when I crossed the line so there is definitely more in me when injury free. Felt great and jogged on for another 100 metres just to ease off. Managed a couple of quick post-run stretches and then eventually the Strava app played ball and let me turn it off giving me a time of 51.27. This included the section after the finish so I may be closer to 51 than that. Waiting now for the official time.
Didn’t see the clock like I said, I say the camera man and wanted to make sure, well hopefully, that I don’t look like a plonker on the photo. Would nice to have a decent photo of me running so I can get one for mum. Dan caught up with me after the race and it seemed to take us ages to find anyone else. We went to the finish line to see if we could catch Marie finishing. Saw Becky Scully cross the line before the hour marker but it got to 1.05 and we thought we must have missed her. Finally found everyone and caught up with Mike Hall who was there with Hettie. He must have been there when I got to the start line but I was too blinkered. Oops.
Dan and I were also interviewed by a girl with a camera she asked if we wouldn’t mind being videoed. She asked “So how did you find the race” It all felt a bit awkward and I think I said “it was great, really fast course , nice open roads and great scenery. Really enjoyed it”. Dan said “Really enjoyed it and great race”. I then added “plus we both got PBs so got what we came for”. She looked at us and we waited to see if she would ask anything else. Think she was waiting for us to say some more. Then she thanked us and went on her way.
Also total bonus was the bananas, oranges, flapjacks and sweets at the end. I had love hearts. Mine said “crazy”.
Andy just checked my results for the High Legh 10km and my actual chip time for that was 52.32 so I was actually faster than I remembered. Still waiting for the results for today. Will update later.