My second 5k race

I wasn't sure whether to go.  I had a stack of schoolwork to do and the beginning of term cold had just hit me (thanks kids).  Also, as the sun rose and my alarm went off this morning my bed was a warm nest of comfort.

Nevertheless I got myself up, donned my running gear plus ipod (it's not an official race, so there were no anti MP3 people) so I would have a beat to run to,  battered the mud off my running shoes and headed off to the local park.

There were lots of members of the running group already there, with friends and families there to support them.  I had two Lemsip Max capsules and a bottle of Lucozade to support me.

We did a brief warm up, mine was briefer than anyone elses as I took it as an opportunity to go the the toilets.  At ten o'clock we lined up to start. I made my way to the back declaring I might as well start there as that's where I was going to finish (don't say I don't know my limitations!).

It was a beautiful day, my favourite to run in - cool, but sunny and with that magical sunlight making all look wonderous. Up above the sky was blue with only the faintest white clouds floating high above.

I started the race at the back with three other ladies in pink, but despite their all being older than me, they all soon moved off in front.  I was definitely keeping up the rear!  

All I wanted from this race was to beat my Race for Life time from July - surely I must have improved in two months?  That thought kept me moving and kept me breathless all the way.

This race was two big loops of the park and one small one.  I smiled and said hello to the marshals as I slowly ran my way round. When I was halfway I got lapped by the race leader on his way to the finish.  By the time I was near the end I was the only one left running, but as I was racing my last 5k time (46minutes) and not other people it didn't matter to me.  Also, as I neared the last stretch I was able to go into what honestly was an amazing sprint finish.

My time?  42minutes.