My Flitwick 10k Experience

So here I am at the start of the Flitwick 10k, smile on my face and ready to go. But how did the day pan out, well here's my account from the moment I woke up to the point where I crossed the finish line.

Up at 7:00am, showered, had breakfast (bowl of cereal) a protein drink and a pint of water....I was feeling relaxed and looking forward to a good day. As the nerves set in, I found myself making several trips to the toilet and then with my supporters packed into the car, off we set for Flitwick.

We left with plenty of time, taking into account the requirement to collect my race number and time chip by 10:30am ready for a prompt 11:00am start. After two detours due to road closures I started to become quite anxious and made the decision that if we end up having to take one more detour....I'm going home! I arrive in good time (Rachael was always sure I would) and I'm dropped off to collect my race number while Rach parks the car.

I collect an envelope which contains my number (234) and my race chip. I check the other runners and attach the race chip velcro strap to my right ankle and just before I'm about to throw away my envelope I realise that although I've attached the velcro strap, I've failed to put the race chip in place....ooops, silly me. I'm now ready, number pinned in place and chip attached...what next...where's the toilet.

I now meet up with fellow runners Dee, Paul and Shiela and supporters Rach, Oliver, Imogen, Bill, Louise and Tara. I make everyone aware of my intention to complete the run in 60 to 65 minutes, I'm not racing, just looking to complete the distance without walking or passing out in the growing heat. Bill though puts it into my head that he believes I will finish in 55 minutes....what does he know that I dont. Anyway I resign that thought to the back of my mind taking into account that my last 10k took me 1hr 20mins to complete and that was 2 years ago in London.

I head to the start with Paul, he's looking to run a 55 minute 10k so I decide that I will run with him initially and just wait for him to pull away............and we're off. Paul pulling away is pretty much instantaneous which suited me as it allowed me to concentrate on my own pace. I reach the 2k marker in 10 minutes and feel quite impressed, only another 4 markers to go (oh dear, big mistake, I'm thinking miles not kilometers. I've read the 2k marker as 2 miles and now realise I've got another 8k to go). I undergo a quick re-think and adjust my pace as I'd like to actually finish the race and find myself aiming to run 5.5 minute kilometers (can I achieve Bills time of 55 minutes, it could be possible). On I go with the support of Louise and Tara who are cheering on the runners from outside a very attractive pub (isn't that where I should be, Sunday roast and a pint).

It's getting hotter, the trip is undulating and I decide to concentrate on the scenic surroundings (advice given to me by Rach to help me enjoy the run). The scenary was nice but I find myself more interested in examining other runner styles, shapes and sizes. I think it's fascinating how different peoples running styles can be and also how body shape and size does not determine how fast a runner you are (look at those larger people ahead of me). I'm now tracking a pair of runners from Bedford Harriers, a middle aged italian man and younger chinese woman. The guy was great, encouraging all runners to keep going when they were fading under the heat and walking. The woman was irritating (I hate saying this, but this is what I was thinking), her running style consisted of very short steps (best described as pigeon steps) and even though they were pigeon steps you could hear them as if an elephant was stampeding (I apologise for my comments, this is not an attack on the woman she is probably the nicest person I could ever meet and I'm sure there are running habits that I have that people would find irritating). The most irritating aspect of all was that whenever there was an uphill climb I would pass them, but as soon as we started on the downhill run I would hear the sound of a stampeding, elephant sized pigeon and she would pass me. Heading into the last 2k I was infront and as I passed the 9k marker at the back of my mind I could hear her gaining with words of encouragement for her italian partner.......be passed by the Bedford Harriers, this was not going to happen.....I put everything I had into that last kilometer and crossed the line in 55:35 minutes to the shouts of encouragement and cheers from my supporters.

"go gordy go"

So there you have it and what have I learnt......I love running, the experience was great and I'm more than happy with the time.

Don't try and drink when you're running, it's messy and you end up choking (a lesson I learnt at the water station) do what any sensible person would do, stop running and drink.

But most of all I've learnt how great it is to have your darling wife feel so proud of you and ready to tell everyone she knows.

This race I dedicate to Rachael....she's the best and I love her.