Back in action
Twitchy feet, sweaty palms, butterflies in my tummy, the panic questions; did I tie, double tie my shoelaces? I should have gone for another wee! Did I do all my drills? I should have done another stride and BANG!! Just like that racings back, all thoses pre-race thoughts when you’re stood for what feels like a lifetime on the start line, however it’s just seconds and they disappear and there’s no going back.
Last Saturday (the 17th August) I was lucky enough to get a place in my first race post covid-19, the Podium 5k. Not only that but this would be my first in an ‘elite’ race. A daunting word and not a word I would usually associate with my running. Looking down the start list Judd, Dixon and Nesbit, an olympian and two international athletes were just the start, this list was full of strong inspirational women.
However this was an opportunity not to miss so l put on my big girl pants and persuaded my partner to drive me up to Lancashire, (he is currently still reminding me that we traveled nearly 5 hours for me to run less than 17minutes. So thank you Ryan).
I went armed with the knowledge that I have worked hard throughout lockdown and been adding up the miles, although I am the fittest I have ever been, I wasn’t sure that I was race fit.
After panicking all week that it was going to be hot, when we got there it was cooler than expected and quite breezy. So I laced up my new race shoes, (thank you to the Lincolnshire Runner for their always excellent service) and off we went. 29 other women and me battled in the wind around the road cycling track for 4½ laps. I got tucked in the middle group and we worked our way round, turning onto the finishing straight and pushing hard to the line was something I don’t think my body was ready for, but gasping for air and wobbling around on jelly legs I still managed a smile as I crossed the line with a new PB of 16:22! The race was won by Beth Potter who took the ladies course record and Jess Judd second. The elite men then took to the stage which wasn’t to be missed. Just like the women’s race this was full of talent, Mark Scott took the win with a new British record of 13:20.
It was a great evening filled with PBs and race excitement, the event was well organised a
nd all covid 19 related precautions were put in place.
I’m over the moon with my new PB of 16:22, I had a sneaky feeling I had a sub 17 in me however if someone had said sub 16:30 I would have bitten their arm off.
I’ve competed in my first elite race in a very respectable time and exactly halfway through the pack. (I had placed a bet I was going to come last) Confidence in my running is something that I need to work on and this race has definitely helped me see this. I’m now looking forward to getting race fit and HOPEFULLY a sub 16 is on the horizon.
So Racing is back and I’m so excited. It might be smaller races, distanced start lines, one way systems and limited spectators, but slowly they are coming back. Even with all the precautions you still get the anxious/excited pre-race feeling and at the end you still get the buzz and excitement of it being over but like you want to do it all over again. (that is until you realise your legs don’t even want to walk to the car.)
So whenever it might be Good Luck in your first race back.