The Brighton 10k was a great race in many ways - flat course, good views, not too crowded, many places for good food afterwards...
However I hadn't had the best preparation for this one, due to being a bit up a down, ill, working late at work and getting up early etc. All this had affected my training plan somewhat, and I do think a lot of running is mental as well as physical!
Therefore I wasn't massively buzzing when my alarm went off at 5.45am last Sunday morning. However, a bit of a stretch and a coffee later, I was excited for the day. We drove down on the morning of the race, ready for the start at 9.30am. In the car I also had a cereal bar, a banana, some water and a vita coco - and stopped
drinking an hour before the race which is my normal routine. After a good while of searching Brighton and Hove fruitlessly for a free parking space (N.B every street is permits only or extortionate pay and display) we parked up along from the Marina. Actually I was dropped off first - as my hydration strategy meant that I was extremely close to having an accident in the car!
Thankfully I didn't have toilet access issues this time around - there were public toilets by a children's playground which weren't too busy. There were so many clubs at this event - and it seemed like everyone had friends there, club vests on, photos in groups etc. Aside from feeling like a bit of a Larry Loner, it made me think that it would be nice to get involved in a club that I could train and race with.
My mum and brother caught up, at which point I unfortunately discovered I had left my race number in the car - so they duly went back for that. Sorry guys! I shoved a few jelly babies in, posed for taken pictures (standard) and made my way to the start line.
There were just under 4,000 runners in this race, and it was pretty busy near the start. We didn't have starting pens, so being the competitor I am, I vaulted a barrier near the front to start with the big guns. Bit of a mistake!!
Unfortunately I then got carried along at (for me) a blistering pace, doing to the first mile in about 6 mins 20 seconds! I of course couldn't keep this up, so naturally slowed, but the early spurt had taken the last out of my tired legs. People started passing me quite easily which was irritating, and I basically had to talk myself round the race. The evil little voice in my head wanted to stop and walk, or stop and now out gracefully, but my pride powered me on - although it didn't feel easy! At least it was flat, which was a blessing.
I crossed the line in 43 minutes, which was a personal best of 2 minutes, compared to the Brentwood 10k in July this year. I was pleased with the result - although wish the race had felt easier! I think it was a good learning experience though - prepare properly for a race, train more consistently, don't pretend you're an elite runner at the start, and train more speed work.
I think I'm going to book in some more races to keep me going - and I really need to get focused on fundraising now. Only around 5 months to go!!
