Race Day........The post mortem

So today we did the Bristol 10k. For some reason I ended up with a red number, which is the first wave that goes behind the elite (HA.HA.HA) and before the yellow and green (e.g: most normal people) However I saw this as a 15 min head start and psychologically it worked brilliantly as I wasn't struggling along with the stragglers from the start! Even though all my friends who started after me over took me I still felt mentally ok abut my pace etc.

So after mother nature deciding to hit me with "the curse" on Friday I was very worried about running on day 3 of my cycle- a day when I normally curl up in a ball with a hot water bottle and a cold flannel for the hormonal headache.............Great timing

So my race went something like this;

Km1: OMG Im in with fast people. Must keep up. Cant breathe. Cant breathe. Need to slow down. Shit Im in red. Cant slow down, they will recognise me for imposter I am. Glad I have inhaler.

KM2: YAY! Its now a 9km. Oh! I need a wee. Ok Head to portaloo on Portway. Yes, a nice little jog along the portway to the loo. Why am I running? Why did I want to do this? STUPID sport. AM old and fat. Cant breathe. Need a wee.

KM3: Ok. 3 down. It always gets easier after 3. Oh! I can breathe! Shit was that a green number? Oh no everyones overtaking me. Wheres that loo? Shoulders feel more relaxed.......Daft Punk sing to me and spur me on on the iPod- harder better faster stronger- feel momentarily like a proper runner

KM4: OMG nearly halfway. Look theres everyone coming back down the Portway the other side. Still haven't seen a loo. Why am I doing this? Its raining. Im fat. Oooooh!! Don't stop me now on iPod. Just what I needed.

KM5: Coming back down the portway now. Fab! Homeward bound. Britney Spears keeps me company on the iPod and buoys me up a bit. Get to water station and have a few glugs. Rub water on face, remember I have Race Day Make up applied. Why is my big toe numb?

KM6: Oooh this is where it REALLY hurt last year.  Maybe it will again. Maybe I ought to walk. Oh! I have a gel in my pouch. Have a gel. feel like a twat having a gel on a 10k and get middle class guilt about chucking the wrapper on the floor. Im still running! Its a miracle. And I can breathe

KM7: Ow. Bit hurty in the bum cheek now. Haven't seen any supporters I know. Starting to feel a bit over it now. Why am I doing this? Its ONLY 3k now. Get on with it. OOOOHHHH theres the TMR supporters. get given some jelly babies. Realise chewing means I can't breathe. Am still running. Or plodding.

KM8: Pat Bentar "Hit me with your best shot" on iPod. Ive got this. AM invincible. But my bum hurts. Stop and stand still for a minute. Realise I feel really dizzy. Wobble slightly. A lady runs past me and says "Come ON! You can do this. Not far now" Thank you, I say, I needed that, and start to plod on again.

KM9: Loads of spectators now. You can't stop the beat from Hairspray comes on iPod and makes me whoop as thats my "dig deep" training song. Running round Bristol city centre. Not many thoughts now. 1k to go. Ive got this. Then I spot my family- husband, all 4 kids and in laws! Run over and get a hug off my boys. Promptly burst into tears and run off. See the 500metres sign. Try to compose self and keep going.

 KM10: It doesn't feel real as I get over the finish line. I know my time is much better than last year but just feel hot, cold and tired!


Its now 6.15pm and I have looked up my time, looked at loads of pics and had a big carvery!
I am shattered and can't think of anything funny to say so I will be back tomorrow when Im over it and can start looking toward the half marathon. OMG...........