I wasn’t really sure what to expect performance-wise from this one. While there’s been plenty of speedwork in my current half marathon plan, I’ve not done much short fast stuff recently – my parkruns have almost all been easyish efforts or part of longer runs for probably the last eight or nine months – and this wasn’t an A-race, just a sharpener en route to the Edinburgh half in a couple of weeks. I had no idea what kind of 10k shape I was in. It was also forecast to be a hot day.
In sum, it was pretty unlikely that I would be able to keep my streak of Sunderland PBs following my 48:59 last year. But I had to try and give it the best go I could.
In recent years there’s been a good number of Benchies doing this race and so it’s always a fun morning out. Friends are a good distraction from starting line nerves!
I started too fast (knew that would happen, it always does), settled by about mile three, resolved early on not to look at my watch until the end as I knew it would just wind me up, was suffering in the heat by the second half and felt tempted just to give up and jog it in so many times… but I stayed steady and never let the effort level drop. Couldn’t manage a sprint at the end so I know I couldn’t have done any better on the day (at least not without risking collapse). 50:22. In the ballpark of last year’s summer efforts so I’ll take it.
Might do another 10k around November or so in the hope that I can still get a PB in the distance this year once I’ve recovered from my autumn marathon. In two minds about that, though. It’s not my favourite distance!
Thanks for eventually putting me in the over 80 category JOHN COLLINS 5459…after originally put with the over 70 youngsters..Just thought after running 61 mins as a 83 year old. should be recognised. Ta !.
My blog and I have no connection to the race organisers John, but well done on your result, that’s a fantastic age category time!