Happy Monday everyone! I hope your week got off to a great start! 🙂
As promised its time to announce the winners of my amazing giveaway.
The winner of the first prize is…
…the lovely Ffion!!!
The winner of the second prize is…
…the lovely Eleanor!!!
Congratulations!!! Could you awesome ladies please email me your delivery address so that I can get your prizes sent out to you!
Well yesterday saw me take part in my very first 10K race for Race for Life. The race was scheduled for a 3pm start, which already had me worried about whether I would be able to run my best or not. Despite running several 10K distances in previous weeks I tend to always go for my runs as soon as I get up. This way I am well rested and feel refreshed an tat I can put all of my renewed energy in to the run ahead. By 3pm I was certain that I was going to be half asleep.
Since I went to a wedding in Leeds the day before we didn’t get back until quite late I managed to sleep in until 11!! This is quite unusual for me as I’m normally wide awake at the crack of dawn week days and weekends. I must have been super tired, but I’m glad that I gave my body the time it needed to rest up. For breakfast I decided to load up on the carbs and made a huge bowl of warm banana and chocolate oats.
1/2 cup of oats, 1 large banana, 4 dates, 1tsp of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of lucuma powder, 1 tsp of mesquite, 1 cup of vanilla rice milk, 2 cups of water heated in the microwave. I topped this bowl of deliciousness with raw shredded coconut, carob coated raisins, cacaco nibs and some white chocolate wonderful…yum! 🙂
The race itself was taking place in a beautiful park in Redditch, which is about a 30 minute drive form my house so not to far. There we met my Mum and her partner Nigel. I was so glad they could make it as I really needed the extra support. I felt like I had everything going against me by that point too as not only was it going to be an afternoon run, but there was also the factor of the 24 degrees heat too.
At the beginning of the race I felt pretty strong. It took me a little while to get used to running amongst a pack of other runners as usually I run alone with no one else around me. Once everyone found there own pace things started to free up a little bit and more room became available.
On most part the course went through the park, but also went outside of the park on to the road for at least half a mile on the route. Since the race was set in a park it meant that we were all subject to the occasional uneven running surfaces. We ran over pavement, grass and a mixture of uneven grass and dried mud.
On the second lap the heat from the strong sun started to get to me and I could feel a headache coming on so I made use of the water station at the 5K check point, which helped a little. What also helped was the random strangers and supporters along the course that would clap and shout as we went passed, which I thought was lovely. I even managed to spot my very own supporters as I ran around the lake on the first and second lap. My very own Mario Testino (Alfie) was there snapping away and got some shots of me running.
Coming towards the finish line I saw that it was possible that I could achieve a 60 minute sub I sprinted towards the finish line. My finishing time was 1 hour and 1 darn second!!! I’m so happy with my pace as my last 10K run only a few days before took me 1 hour and 2 minutes. I’ve wanted to run 10K in 60 minutes for so long now fair enough I was 1 second over, but to be so very close- I’m still buzzing about it now. Totally chuffed with my achievement!
I’m so glad that I took part as at the end of the day that is what it’s all about!!! 🙂
What I learnt?
Never give up. Never loose hope. Never doubt your own abilities.
What was your last greatest achievement?
Have you taken part in or got any upcoming races line up?
How do you prepare mentally for your races?
Wow, congrats on running the race and achieving such a great time!! Great job! 🙂
Thanks so much! 😛
Aww a hugee well done girly!! You did amazing!! And GAH for that flippin’ second but still, you got a great time!! 🙂
Love the action pictures! And looks like it was in such a beautiful park too.
Thank you! Hahah! I lok super goofy in the action shot, but I guess it’s all part of the fun!
Well done!!! I love the race for life! I’ve done the 5k version 7 years in a row now!! I’ve run 4, walked 3! My best achievement was running 6 miles for Sport Relief last year! I managed it in 67 mins, which for a nonrunner I was chuffed with!! Xx
Congratulations! What an awesome time 🙂
Can i just say as well; your skin looks amazing!
Woahhh! 7 5k’s that’s awesome! Congrats! Race for Life is an amazing race 🙂
This makes me want to do a race even more! you superstar you! congrats girl! =)
Thank you lovely!
Aw love, so close! You totally know you can know that second off though, & many more to come. Well done you!
*knock, not know
Thanks Kate! I hope I can shave the second off next time! 😀
Yey for winning the competition 🙂
The race looks like fun, I hope I’m able to run one soon!
The race was awesome! Have you chose one to run in yet!?!
gah looks like funn!!! my next race is a 1/2 marathonn!
Good luck for your half! 🙂
Well done! Awesome Time! Forget about the 1 second 😛
Thank you!! I think I will forget about the second. It’s just so close!
Welll done n the race thats such an achievement,
Thanks!
Wow, congratulations! Brilliant achievement, especially in that heat, and great running pictures, I love your last comments 🙂
And woop, can’t believe I won! Thank you so much, I’ll email you now 🙂
Congratulations!!! Munchy seeds taste amazing- I hope you enjoy them!! 🙂
Excellent well done! Such a great time 🙂
I have a few races coming up- I just updated my page (http://runningcupcake.co.uk/about/my-race-calendar/) I have a 10K, 10 mile GSR, and 2 half marathons in early 2012. Exciting stuff 🙂 I am still aiming for that sub 60 (or 60 on the dot) 10k too! Keep believing I say!
Wow! Lots of runs planned for you! Good luck with them- I know you will do great!! 🙂
I say the last second didn’t count 😉 Either way, it’s a ROCKIN’ time!!
mmm, carob covered raisins look delicious!!
Thanks! The carob covered raisins are amazing!!! 😀
wohoo! you go girl! and i agree with Jess…that second didn’t count 🙂
Thaks lovely! I think we should forget teh annoying second!! 😛
That is an awesome time! You go girl 😀
Thaks so much!! 🙂
You did amazing!! One second is no big deal 🙂 Racing in the heat is murder- that’s a great time!
Thanks!!! 🙂
Congratulations 🙂 I bet you could have shaved that second off if it had been a bit cooler – the heat really affects me!
I mentality prepare by visualising finishing strong and I keep this is my mind all the way round.
It was so hot! i was surprised that I was able to finish the course! Thank you!
I’m pretty sure the second doesn’t count as it always takes a few to get over the start line 😉
Congratulations on your great time!
Thanks! Lets pretend the second didn’t happen lol! 😀
Well done! What a great recap, it looked pretty warm too so well done on that time! I prepare by just making sure that I’m properly fuelled and that I have all my stuff, then I tend to sit and think to myself that its not that much of a big deal, just go out and do your best etc as I find I don’t do well when I put myself under a lot of pressure 🙂
Thank you!!! Yes I think having really high expectations of yourself when you go out and run can really hinder your overall progress. Sometimes I find that when I push myself too hard I begin to struggle which turns into a real nasty run! 🙂
Wow sounds like you rocked your first 10k! That second is so frustrating but you still did an amazing job! well done!
Thank you!!! 🙂
Well done you!
I’m so sorry I’m late to the party as it were. It takes me a while to work up to reading any posts about running. Hope this is the first of many fab recaps to come.
Nothing can replace the memory of a first race…I still recall my first 10K, which was actually a 9K because the weather deteriorated into a raging storm and part of the course was across a pier, which obviously had to be sectioned off due to huge waves. I had no Garmin then and didn’t really even know my training distance, and when the finish came into view I thought I still had about 3K minimum to go. I thought I’d come dead last or wouldn’t even finish, but was so proud of myself then. Okay, I’m tearing up at the thought of when I could run so I’ll have to leave it at that…
<3
xxx
Well done Jemma! I really enjoyed my Race for Life too, I loved all the pink, haha!
Look at you go girl! Congrats on a great finish. 🙂 That’s something to be proud of!
Congrats – that’s a great time!
My last great achievement was going to running club last night and running 5.25 miles in the rain.
What a cool race! I did the relay for life a few years ago, I’m not sure if that’s similar or not!
Hmm well today’s accomplishment was 75 minutes of cardio! Much more than planned!