So, Sunday was race day. I have been a
little anxious leading up to this race, as I've been unsure about how
my IT band would be on the day. The past couple of weeks training has
been ok and I've not heard much of a peep out of it....
Saturday I went for a brisk run, just
under three miles to warm the legs up for the next day. I got an
early night too so I was fresh for the early start, but kept waking
up throughout the night anyway.
I arrived at 7.45am as requested, got
registered, pinned my number on and strapped the RFID tag to my
ankle. I wandered about a bit before the start of the race as I could
feel my leg was a little out of sorts. I thought 'oh well, there's
nothing I can do, I'm here now so lets just get on with it!'. The
plan was to take it slow and steady, run easy.
The race started and we were off! I
kept it slow letting people pass me, just testing the water with my
leg. It was all going well so far. Just under a km down the road we
turned on to the trails and it was in to the forest proper, I started
to overtake a few people on the hilly bits (hills are my strength I
feel), and carried on plodding away at an easy pace. Which after
examining my splits after the race turned out to be about 7:50
min/mile which was way too fast! But it was going well at the time.
After a gentle steady climb I could
feel some soreness in my glutes coming on, but it wasn't causing any
issues. I kept going for the next few miles and got to the turnaround
point where we start heading back towards the start for the second
lap. I could feel my IT band getting tighter with every stride. I
knew it was imminent. Running down the tarmac I could feeling it
getting closer.
Shortly before the last hill before
reaching the start again, it went. I had to stop and walk. I got some
words of encouragement from other runners as they passed, I smiled
and claimed I was fine, after all the sun was out! Just up ahead of
me I could see the professional photographer waiting to take a snap
of me. I was able to get in to a slow run again and look like I was
enjoying it.
I walked up the last hill and got back
in to a rhythm going downhill towards the start again. I really felt
like giving up there and then, I had pretty much convinced myself
over the last couple of miles I was going to DNF, and just do the one
lap. As I came through the start again people started clapping and
cheering me, which brought a smile to my face and made me believe I
can keep going. So I said to myself 'I'll get to the next aid station
and see how I feel'. I'd started to pick up the pace again anyway!
I got to the aid station and had some
water. That lifted me a bit and I was off again, I was probably
running the fasted I had so far! I got to the gentle incline again
and the skies were getting darker. Lightly at first, then all HAIL
broke loose! Waterproofs on!
I started running with a guy nearly
twice my age, who incidentally had run the 50k the day before as
well, respect! He was going at a nice pace that I could handle so I
kept with him for the next couple of miles.
I got to the next aid station and had
another cup of water. Annoyingly it seemed every time I stopped
running now, my IT band would start hurting again. So I had to walk
it out a bit before I could get going again.
I had got back to the tarmac and set
off at a steady pace, knowing the end was in sight now – I knew I
could finish it! I got to the last aid station and had two cups of
water, then walked out my IT band again before setting off. Another
runner passed me by and gave me some words of encouragement, and I
soon set off after him.
I came running towards the photographer
again, this time with a bigger smile upon my face than before, I was
about half a mile from the end, I ran up that last hill and gave the
thumbs up to the last marshal before heading to the finish line.
I couldn't muster much of a sprint
finish, mainly because I had to slow down before turning in to the
field and the finish line. I was awarded with my finishing medal, and
I grabbed a few jelly babies as well, which incidentally gave me a
head rush!
I sat down and enjoyed the sunshine,
watched the winners get their prizes and soaked up the atmosphere. It
was a good day. Definitely considering doing it again next year. I'd
recommend it to anyone!
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