I Can Still Run 10km!

Had an enjoyable run at Dolls Point this morning and very pleased to discover that after 3 weeks without running, or doing anything really, and about 5 weeks all up of being unwell........that I could still run 10km. And I didn't end up having a coughing fit during the race or this afternoon...      It was lovely to catch up with Cliffold and his sister and nephew, Emjay and her friends, Slowmo, and to meet WallyGator and Donny....and I'm sure I have missed people.  

I started off finding a spot at the back of the 10km 'bunch' and making sure I didn't head out too fast.    Tucked in quite close to the back and stayed there.  I had a couple of ladies running together up ahead that kept me going, and I did feel bad when I overtook them on the bridge (down hill not uphill).   I wasn't so much overtaking to go faster....but was stretching my legs out and took advantage of the downhill to go fast (well, fast for me).   Then the loop under the bridge again and up and over for the 2nd time.   I was surprised at how well I coped with the uphill, especially the 2nd time.   Hills and I aren't really friends, but I managed to keep going (slowly) today and didn't let the hill beat me.   Another fast(ish) descent over the other side and back down to get some water before the last few km's.   By this stage, I knew the ladies were back fairly close behind me and I wasn't really consciously trying to hold them off, but as we got closer to the finish, I was a bit put out to have them both pass me in the last km.    I resisted temptation to pull out faster and stay with them, knowing that I wasn't racing this one and needed to keep it steady.  However, the last few hundred metres, I thought, so close so I'd have a go at catching them.   And I did!   1, 2, 3 with a gap of 2 sec each....I was in the middle.    Garmin says fastest pace for the last km was 3:53      which I'd like to believe was correct....but not sure about that. 1:08:14 officially, 1:08:05 by my Garmin, and I'm quite happy with that all things considered.

I really like this course - it was the last race I did last year before Vanuatu, so is a bit special because of that, but you get a chance to see the other runners a few times as the different distances cross over.  And I know I don't like hills, but I do like running the bridge.

After enjoying a hot pancake and maple syrup, met CR Donny and had a brief chat, I then came home, had a nice warm shower.    Off to look at a car......and bought it!!!!  Woo hooo......end of a stressful few weeks trying to bring myself to replace my favourite car.....it's done and I am very happy with the outcome - and I get to pick it up on Thurs evening.   And then back home, back into running clothes and out for 3km with Gadfairy before the rain hit.....which it didn't end up doing (and we ended up walking not running).

Feeling rather tired now.

So, will head confidently to the Hunter (in my new car   ) next week that I can do the 10km and make some sort of effort at a decent run.     I start my running coaching/groups this week, and 10 weeks (I think) to go to Blackmores HM - time to get serious!!!!