Liverpool 10k
Ran the Liverpool 10k this morning. I've not got the proper time for it yet, but I undoubtedly did better than at the last one, what with staying upright for the entirety of the course and not pulling, twisting or otherwise damaging any body parts.
I think I've done it just under 52'. Still good news, my previous best time was something like 53'15" or 53'10" so I've nothing to complain about there, I just wanted 49'59", lol!
One of my running chums insists that 3 minutes over 10k is a bit much to expect in terms of improvement all in one go, but there you go.
There was this woman in a pink top that helped me right through the race. I was using her to pace myself, and whenever she looked like getting away I ran up to her stayed close. I always get a bit of a wobbly time just before the 4 mile mark, and today was no exception. I like to think that I snapped out of it sooner than normal though, and eventually managed to kick off in the last 1500m or so. My next target was this old bloke up ahead. Who the hell wants to finish after a pensioner? Actually, that'd be me every time, since the first of the over 70s in the women's race always finishes within 48'. But I digress. I legged it after the old man and outsprinted him to the line.
It comes to something when one's personal goals are reduced to outsprinting a pensioner, but we all have to operate within our limits, I guess. I found my woman in the pink shirt afterwards, and went over to thank her for her unwitting help. She said she'd spotted me - or rather, my hair - a couple of times because we'd been passing each other along the route, and in the end, when she saw me take off, she decided to give it some welly to stay with me, and she was really happy with her time as a result. Favour returned, then.
The course was good, uphill to start with and downhill from about halfway to the last Km. Ideal for me because at least I was going downhill during my least favourite section.
I was also happy with my playlist for the race, with the possible exception of the positioning of Sugar we're going down, because by the time it came on I was running too fast for it and didn't need any encouragement to slow down. I think it'll make a good first song though, must remember to re-arrange the list accordingly.
Time for a nice rest and then Tango!
I think I've done it just under 52'. Still good news, my previous best time was something like 53'15" or 53'10" so I've nothing to complain about there, I just wanted 49'59", lol!
One of my running chums insists that 3 minutes over 10k is a bit much to expect in terms of improvement all in one go, but there you go.
There was this woman in a pink top that helped me right through the race. I was using her to pace myself, and whenever she looked like getting away I ran up to her stayed close. I always get a bit of a wobbly time just before the 4 mile mark, and today was no exception. I like to think that I snapped out of it sooner than normal though, and eventually managed to kick off in the last 1500m or so. My next target was this old bloke up ahead. Who the hell wants to finish after a pensioner? Actually, that'd be me every time, since the first of the over 70s in the women's race always finishes within 48'. But I digress. I legged it after the old man and outsprinted him to the line.
It comes to something when one's personal goals are reduced to outsprinting a pensioner, but we all have to operate within our limits, I guess. I found my woman in the pink shirt afterwards, and went over to thank her for her unwitting help. She said she'd spotted me - or rather, my hair - a couple of times because we'd been passing each other along the route, and in the end, when she saw me take off, she decided to give it some welly to stay with me, and she was really happy with her time as a result. Favour returned, then.
The course was good, uphill to start with and downhill from about halfway to the last Km. Ideal for me because at least I was going downhill during my least favourite section.
I was also happy with my playlist for the race, with the possible exception of the positioning of Sugar we're going down, because by the time it came on I was running too fast for it and didn't need any encouragement to slow down. I think it'll make a good first song though, must remember to re-arrange the list accordingly.
Time for a nice rest and then Tango!