So, there it is. My first race of the comeback is officially complete - and I've the T-shirt to prove it. As I sit and type this, I am thoroughly knackered, and I've twisted my left foot so I'm expecting that to hurt tomorrow. Who knew a simple 10k could take such a toll? I guess with 220m of ascent, rutted ground and some lumps and bumps along the way, it wasn't your typical 10k. It was also very hot and muggy. Which was less than ideal for me. I've never run well in the heat. I had a run out midweek in the heat and did not enjoy it but despite that, I was still really looking forward to it...
My aims for the race were simple, make the top 50% and clock inside 55 minutes. I was confident of the first count but less so on the second, on account of that damn humid, muggy heat. Anyway, I spent last night (well, twenty minutes of it) looking over the route, to work out my tactics. With a steepish lumpy (descent) start and then some steady climb in the second half I decided my best tactic was to go hard and hang on. I knew I'd wilt in the heat, so if I went off steady, I'd never make anything back. So that was the tactics set.
I stuck to the plan. Murdered myself in the first half to get some time in the bag and then hung on as best I could. It was not pretty but I did make it across the line with both goals met. I actually made the top 25% which was a surprise and I clocked 54:15. My next race is a flattish road 10k in a few weeks which will be far more conducive to running at an even pace - or trying to...
The race was the Magic Roundabout 10k, organised by Hay Hotfooters. So big thanks to them for putting such a well organised, marked and marshalled race - if you could arrange for it to be a little cooler next time though, that would be great.
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