57:29

2:29 short of my target of 55:00.  Pitiful performance due to dreadful rookie error in the opening 3k. (I can't even really use that excuse as I can no longer really class myself as a complete rookie having been running properly for 2 years, completing countless races and a marathon), but despite my obvious wealth of experience (bu-ahem-s&it!! - sorry something in my throat there).  Oh, I'll just tell you the full saga and you can have a good ole laugh whist sitting back and shaking your heads tut-tutting my flouting of the most basic of racing rules......

After having lost the sub 60:00 target on our last 10k due to lining up too far back and consequently being slowed considerably due to much overtaking, we decided that this must be rectified.  Therefore, after having a wee 5 minute jogette, we lined up in the correct time zone of 51-55 mins and prepared to go off at the gun at a decent pace.  Unfortunately, we set off a little too fast and completed the 1st k in 5:12 (oops!), after (stupidly) keeping the pace going we passed the 2k marker at 10:42 - still not slowing down - DOH! As we were quite obviously too stupid to adhere to the set pace and slow a little, the course sorted that out for us by providing a lovely hill at 3k.  At this point my legs started to complain about the enforced fastness and things slowed.  Try as I might, my well thought out plans for a well paced race and nice negative split were gone out the window, as after reaching the 5k point at a respectable 28:13, I just couldnt pick it up to make up for the lost pace of 3-4-5k due to speed stupidity at the start. (much swearing ensued!)

There were a couple of redeeming moments, namely, keeping passing a girl who kept trying to pass me in a Paula:Gete Wami stylee (ok perhaps not!) and a picked up 5:30 min kilometre from 8-9k. Then the push to the finish was hampered by a nasty hill about 800m away from medals and glory (again, perhaps not!).  But push as much as I could, I did and finished in 57:29. 

The rest of the day was spent in the health club (conveniently situated 2 mins walk from the finish!) in the pool and jacuzzi with my family.  Who incidentally also deserve a mention as both my girls completed their first fun run today of 750m!!  V proud!

Oh well, as my teachers always used to write on my reports

"must try harder"

Happy Running Folks

xxLoLxx

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