Glooston 10k - 21 June 2008...

Distance: 10k (6.2 miles)

In a time of...
hh:mm:ss
00:38:58

Finishing Position: 9
Number of finishers: 108
Putting me in the top: 8.33%

By now I've got quite used to the format of turning up at the start of a race; though it's not very often I travel more than 20minutes or so to one. June 21st 2008 was a little different; it was a social event organised for members of the internet discussion forum, RunnersForum.co.uk, and to go with it, the Glooston 10k road race.

I set off in the afternoon, guided by a trusty Garmin Sat Nav, and had a pleasant drive over to the small village/hamlet just north of Market Harborough. I found my parking space in a field and soon found the other forum members, saying hello and sorting my on the day entry for the race. A jog back to the car and I was soon in my racing shoes; ready and waiting for the start around 45mins away at 6pm.

The time soon passed whilst talking with the other forum members, and after a short warm-up we were lining up on the start line. The weather was near perfect for me, just to my liking; it was cool and damp, and as the starter got us underway there was a hint of it starting to rain, but no real rain developed, a bit of mist at worst.

I started at a reasonable pace, and was amongst the front line of runners; for what it's worth I was probably in 2nd or 3rd place until people started to fall into position. One guy broke away alone and looked likely to stay there for the whole race, a chasing group formed from which I began to fall off the back – I think I'd have blown up if I tried to stay with them.

The pack started to spread more as we passed the 1mile marker, I was passed by one runner and took a first mile split of 5:58, a virtually perfect pace. The runner who passed me continued his chase to the now more dispersed group ahead, passing the next runner as we approached the 2mile marker, that runner was to be my next target.

The 2 mile marker was followed by a left hand turn back towards the start, and with it came the start of the hill. I was aware the course was perhaps undulating, but I certainly wasn't expecting a hill of this magnitude. It started off steadily, and got progressively steeper. My heart rate rising I could see the road turn to the left, thank-goodness, as I wasn't sure I could climb any further. I turned left and there in front of me the hill continued, possibly even steeper than before! I closed the gap on the man ahead and joined him, but my lungs were bursting – the hill leveled off briefly, and I just couldn't seem to get myself going; I seemed to be at walking pace! The hill climbed a little bit further before EVENTUALLY reaching the summit.

Thankfully there was a long steady descent to follow. Without doubt I'd have preferred the course to have been flat, but given the huge ascent, I was more than pleased to free-fall down towards the 3 mile marker. The gent I had now passed on the climb came passed me again towards the end of the descent, so I sat on his shoulder. We passed through the start line again to commence the second lap, where support was given by one of the forum members and I pushed on to break away from the man running with me. I managed to put a bit of a gap between us and felt a little more comfortable, I changed my breathing pattern as I had been struggling a little with stitch and also shortened my stride (something I didn't seem to be able to do earlier in the race). The gap steadily increased as I ran alone, though I didn’t seem to make any ground on the next racer ahead. I passed under the buzzing electricity cables and approached the 5 mile marker, which meant only one thing, the inevitable second encounter with the hill. I was eager not to lose the place I'd worked so hard to gain, but had no real idea of the gap since I'd checked before the 4mile marker where the course had virtually turned back on itself.

I tried to be strong running up the hill, though I could feel my heart rate rising, and I was soon breathing very heavily trying to get air into my system. My legs surprisingly didn’t feel too bad, it was the heart/lungs that were seemingly letting the side down. I glanced over my shoulder as I neared the top, praying that there was a reasonable gap between myself and the man behind. A race marshall told me I was well clear, which was somewhat relieving. I began my descent towards the finish and felt like I was picking up the pace well, almost flying! I closed on the guy ahead a little, but nowhere near enough to be able to make a challenge for position.

As the descent finished, the race turned away from the course start and followed a short incline to the finish. A cheer from the crowd lifted my spirits enough to pick up the pace for a strong finish. I raised my fist I the air in celebration, and for once I even managed to stop my stopwatch as I crossed the finish line!

Not a Personal Best, though following recent events (including 2 weeks of solid rest following an operation on my nose, and a holiday on which I was unable to run more than a few miles) which had left me well below previous fitness levels, on what was most certainly NOT a PB course, I was more than pleased with my finishing time. I waited to cheer the other forum members in before we waited for the awards ceremony (fellow forum member Trinity achieving 3rd Female), had a refreshing drink at the local public house before setting off in pursuit of food.

It was a most enjoyable event, which felt even more worthwhile owing to the social event that was planned alongside it. It's also left me feeling confident that on a flatter course and with a bit more high intensity work, I should soon be able to beat my 10k PB and be back on track to achieve my 2008 goals.

Next race, Stratford Summer Six.