5 mile run, decided to just run how I felt and got slower and slower as I went along – seems I need a psychological target, if I run to how I feel I feel like slowing down and without some kind of target, I have no motivation to experience pain!
Was good to just run easier though, it all helps.
Was due a training run with my niece, so I ran an easyish mile to her house, and then took her out for an easy couple of k, which was enough for her, although she had a sprint finish with me for a bit of fun and demonstrated amazing natural speed – I fear for my pride if she keeps it up!
Ran the mile back to my place as hard as I could and ended up with a one mile PB of 7:25 
My preparations for this race had not been the best, what with bereavement, a funeral, wills and all sorts of correspondence! Had managed less than 10 miles a week the previous 2 weeks, so had decided to just run the first half of the race easy, then see how I felt.
I was up early to a glorious looking day, and walked the dog – it felt decidedly chilly but the rising sun suggested it could get very warm while running. I had to be in Bolton for the 9am start, and also had to collect my number and timing chip, so had booked a cab with plenty of time to spare. I always seem to get the same driver early on Sundays and sure enough he turned up, and remembered the last time he drove me out to the Boggart Chase 10k, which had also been a nice day. We chatted as his sat nav took us along the shortest route. Got to Bolton in plenty of time; a couple of online friends from a running forum, Dawn and Neil were in the race so I was looking out for them but couldn’t spot them. I got a locker ok and located several lineups for toilets before finding a less well known one hidden away! Nobody seemed to know where the start was, but eventually droves of people were heading in one direction. I ran around a bit for a warm up and then it was time to line up. I had a few things going around in my head, but felt quite good.
The gun went off, and off we went. I spotted Louise Gilchrist in front of me and decided to keep her in my sights as I know she’s a 50ish 10ker (at 76!). I did the first k in 5:01, then there was a bit of a hill which I attacked, and I was feeling good, but determined not to push too hard too soon. It was starting to feel warm and Louise had pulled away into the distance somewhere, but I kept to my own pace and was running around 5 minute k’s. About 4 or 5 k’s though I seemed to slow to 5:20, and at the 5k mark I decided to push harder, producing a 4:49, I overtook quite a few people, and had caught up to Louise by the time we reached the big hill at 6k (it hadn’t seemed to steep driving up it in the taxi!) – it took it out of my legs a bit but I refused to stop. Louise took a little breather, and I overtook her, and felt good when I crested the hill – until this marvellous lady came flying past me again! The downhill stretch was a relief but I was starting to tire and can’t remember much about the last 2k apart from this chap cheering me on, I had no idea who he was at the time, didn’t even really know who I was (it was actually Neil one of the online people!). By the time I got onto the athletics track for the finish, I had nothing left for a sprint and just kind of stumbled over the line. I certainly felt the lack of miles in my legs by that point, and PBing off less than 10 miles a week is not going to keep happening. But my time wasn’t bad at all in the context of my other times, at 51:12 it wasn’t far off my PB and with some proper training in coming weeks, I am going to smash that 50 minute barrier soon!
Afterwards I cheered on some of the later runners and Neil came and found me, then we went and cheered Dawn in. It was really good to meet a couple of other runners I had only been in touch with through email, and they are thoroughly lovely people. I went off to wait for my taxi and they offered me a lift, but I doubt the taxi driver would have been pleased as I hadn’t paid him for the trip yet and he knows where I live! He did turn up a little late but got me home safely, and I relaxed for the rest of the day. I will certainly revisit the Bolton 10k next year, and look forward to more races and better times
Just a very gentle run before tomorrow’s Bolton 10k – although niece was exhausted, I didn’t break into a sweat or breathe hard. But she’ll get there
5k time trial with 1.5k warm up jog.
Blasted the first k in 4:40 and felt good, then started to struggle a bit with the heat of the midday sun – kept it going at around sub 25 pace thereafter, but slowed to just under so by the end a sub 24 was out of the question as legs were getting heavier and heavier. So ended up with 24:32 – maintaining that pace for 10k would be hard, but you never know on race day as long as I can reign myself in for the first half then switch up a gear.
Felt good to run in new Adidas Supernova’s – no knee or thigh pain, so I think the cheap Asics I was using were past their sell by date, and had economy cushioning anyway. Have another pair of the cheap Asics which might come in handy for shorter runs or trails to keep my precious Supernovas for best!
My niece Laura has decided to do the Race for Life and asked me to train her, so we got some suitable running shoes from Sweat Shop Hyde first and this was our first run out, she did quite well, running the first kilometre in 6:16 – I have run a lot slower!
I ran to her house as a warmup, measured on the Garmin as a mile, so did my first one mile time trial in effect in 7:36. Will be interesting to see how that speed comes on!
A pretty knackering 9k. Was going to do 12k if I felt OK, but after last K up very steep hill knew that 9 today (along with warmer, sunny day) was my limit. Could have pushed on but no real need – am easing back into it slowly after a turbulent time that will no doubt have tired me in many ways. Had a lot of admin to do and only got any real sleep last night with the help of some Nytol – apart from that have not slept much this week and been feeling quite tired. Do seem to be running slower and slower, but am no longer trying to replicate race pace (except in time trials or fartlek) in training, and as the Bolton 10k is only a week away, don’t want to push too much, just keep the legs turning over and save the speed for the race (if I still have any speed!)
First run after the Salford 10k, Mum’s funeral and a mountain of admin to come back to after the Easter weekend.
Felt OK but just took it easy and was quite puffed out and sweating by the end – some hilly bits on this route. Always find it hard to come back after more than 3 days off, but felt OK and will see how next run pans out!
Well I had a race report here, but it vanished 
I posted it on a forum though so it can be read at:
http://www.runnersforum.co.uk/10k-5-miles/7606-salford-10k-2009-race-report.html
My Mum died on Monday after her long struggle with cancer, so this week has been thrown into a bit of chaos, though it was by no means unexpected. Have been feeling a bit drained, and still undecided whether to run the Salford 10k on Friday. It might do me some good, although today’s “easy” run had me feeling terrible – ran the first k in 4:58 and felt great, then just got slower and slower, more out of breath and heavy legged, so cut my 5k planned run short at 4k and took a while to recover – probably just a symptom of the hectic last few days and anticipation about funeral etc.
I will decide tomorrow whether to run the race on Friday – my natural tendency in such situations is to carry on with the things that define who I am, as there is no surer reminder than the death of someone close that time to do all the things we need and want to, does not come in an infinite supply.
Rest in Peace, Mum xxx
