Race Report: Run To The Beat 10k

September 14, 2024 / No Comments

When I started running a year ago I couldn’t even run the 2 mile journey home from work without walking and it annoyed me so much that I refused to accept it. I’ve spent the last year getting fit and working on my running to the point that I decided to sign up for my first 10k, having never run further than 5.5km. Big challenge…

The Training

I completed a 6 week training programme, you can read about part 1, part 2 and part 3 here. It went pretty well despite having a cold in the middle of it so I went into the race feeling really rather excited and well prepared, something that I’ve never had before going into a fitness challenge!

The Race

Having slept like a baby the night before I woke up feeling fresh and excited. I scoffed some porridge made with oats, water, strawberries, flaxseed and chia seeds in the car on the way over to Wembley and tried to drink as much water as possible.

The race village was bathed in sunshine and had a few food and drink stalls set up although most of it was just the bag drop. I ended up swapping my Run To The Beat t-shirt for an Allergy UK t-shirt to support Heron, who I was running with, and to make it easier for the boys (Simon and George) to spot us as we made our way round the course.

Heron and I made our way into our pen where we had quite a long wait with some very annoying Fitness First warm-up people. They would have been better on a cruise-ship rather than warming up runners…

Once we were walked down to the start line we were only waiting for 5 minutes before we hit the course which helped keep the nerves under control. After a quick good luck hug we were off.

The first 3k flew by as we were shouted on by the boys at 1km and we found our pace. The first small hill came at 3k and we powered up it, skipping round all of the people who were walking and feeling pretty proud of ourselves.

Pretty quickly we reached 5.5k where the real hills started. Between 5.5 and 7k there were a number of steady inclines and steep hills. We put our heads down, dug in and climbed those hills without walking. Looking at the splits, we didn’t even slow down too much!

When we reached 8.5k (further than I’d ever run before) I hit the wall. Heron hit her stride and took off and while I tried to keep up for a bit, I lost her at around 9k.

The last 1k was one of the most difficult bits of running I’ve ever done. My arms and legs were like jelly, the sweat on my face had dried and become salty and the sun was very hot.

When I turned the final corner the finish came into view along with the clock. It read 01.08.00. I’d been pacing myself to a 70 minute finish so I had only 2 minutes to make it round the next corner and down the hill.

Cheered on by one final sighting of the boys I flew down the hill. stopping the clock at 01.09.02. Success!!

The Results

1st km: 06:53

2nd km: 06:18

3rd km: 06:47

4th km: 06:31

5th km: 06:51

6th km: 07:04

7th km: 06:54

8th km: 06:46

9th km: 06:51

10th km: 07:07

TOTAL TIME: 01:09:02

Now the real question… what next?!

I’m definitely going to be signing up for the London Triathlon next year and I’m eyeing up a Spartan Race or two… Any thoughts on new fitness challenges for the next 6 months?

Run To The Beat 10km Training - Part 3

September 11, 2024 / No Comments

I’ve (nearly) reached the end! I’m now 3 days away from the big race and I’m feeling very calm, prepared and rather excited which I never thought would happen. Anyway, here’s how the previous couple of week’s worth of training has gone:

Week 5:

Monday: Rest or x-train - Quick 2.5km run to the gym followed by Mash Up (30 minute circuits + 30 minutes boxing)

Tuesday: 25 minutes fartleks/hill training - only managed 2km with 1 sprint session before I got a horrible stitch and had to walk the rest of the way home

Wednesday: Rest - felt too energetic so I did a 30 minute PT session followed by 60 minute boxing session

Thursday: 45 minutes (moderate) - felt a bit sore so I walked 5 miles and stretched out my legs

Friday: 25 minutes (easy) - still feeling sore from Wednesday so I cycled my 5 mile commute and ate a burrito

Saturday: Rest - I knew I was going out on Saturday night so I squeezed in my last long run, 8.3km, early on Saturday morning. Despite getting a horrible stitch at 5.5km I struggled through and felt pretty good by the end

Sunday: 55-60 minutes - Hungover. As planned

Week 6:

Monday: Rest/x train - I tried out Kate @ Form Fitness’ new class, #PumpSweatBurn and I did all of these for an hour. Top class!

Tuesday: 25 minutes (easy) - Wasn’t on top form so walked home and had some comfort food, a bath and an early night

Wednesday: Rest - Nailed it

Thursday: 35 minutes (easy) - I’ve cycled for half an hour and I’ve got a 30 minute PT session this evening

I’ll be resting Friday and Saturday, ready to shake the little legs off on Sunday and blast through the 10k.

BRING. IT ON.

Run To The Beat 10km Training - Part 2

September 1, 2024 / No Comments

Weeks 3 and 4 of the 6 week training programme are done. And they’ve largely been a bit of a disaster (with a few moments of glory). We’ve been having our bathroom redone so I’ve spent the last couple of weeks moving round between my brother’s flat (thanks Jonny and Sam!), my parents (thanks Mum and Dad!) and my boyfriend’s parents (thanks Sylvia and Tony!). I’ve also had a cold so running has completely taken a back seat…

Week 3:

Monday - Rest day - Yep, rested so hard

Tuesday - 25 minutes (hard) - Managed 22 minutes up and down the hills of Hendon. It reminded me how flat Hackney is and how I’m not used to hills!

Wednesday - Rest day - Rested the hell out of Wednesday

Thursday - 35 minutes (moderate) - Nope

Friday - 25 minutes (easy) - Again, nope

Saturday - Rest day - Aced this one

Sunday - 45 minutes - Ummmmmmm nope

Week 4:

Monday - Rest or cross-train - Switched this with tomorrow’s run and did 4km in 29 minutes up and down the hills in Radlett. It was pouring with rain (which I normally love) and I had a stabbing stitch but it felt good to be back out and over my cold

Tuesday - 25 minutes fartleks/hills - Rested hard

Wednesday - Rest day - 4.5km in 32.50 minutes up and down the hills in Hendon with Amy (massive props to Amy who hadn’t run in a year but kept up!)

Thursday - 40 minutes (moderate) - This just didn’t happen but I did stay up until midnight painting my new bathroom if that counts?

Friday - 25 minutes (easy) - Ran on the treadmill at the gym as it was the only way I could fit it in. I HATE treadmill running, it’s so boring and monotonous. But needs must I guess

Saturday - Rest day - Switched around my weekend runs as I went out on Saturday night and didn’t fancy a long run on a hangover… Heron and I nailed out 7.3km in 52 minutes which is the longest that I’ve ever run. Well proud of myself…

Sunday - 50-55 minutes - Well deserved rest day!

2 weeks to go until the race and I’m going to draw my (time)line in the sand. I’m going to be aiming for under 70 minutes which is about the pace that I’m currently running at. Seeing as I’ve never run 10k before, whatever I manage will be a PB!