A new 10k PB and only within 6 days of my previous 10k run.
In what seems to be the hottest few weeks of the year and indeed my running, I have managed to push further and break boundaries I never thought possible. Last week I ran the British 10k in considerably hot weather and packed race conditions, yet I managed to kick all the way to the end with a respectable time of 39:45.
This week I ran the Datchet Dash and luckily with it being slightly cooler to start with, I was able to not only post a new PB 38:33 but also finished 20th from 750 and 1st in the Burnham Joggers Club which is also a Club Championship race.
Tuesday I couldn't make the final 5k of the Summer Series which I was gutted about especially as I had W2 L2 against Chris and was getting used to the other clubs runners as well. My aim next year is to hit the top 5 and post a top 3 position at least once if not more.
Run 1
A warm jog in the hills of the Cliveden National Trust forests and only one hill was tackled. Quite a few of the group stuck close together and it gave me a chance to chat to some of them including Lucy who I now admire even more because her and her partner hardly see each other through his job in the Navy in Cornwall yet they have managed to find the time to gain a mortgage on a property and are using time together to decorate the place.
It was also nice to catch up with Tamsin who had cheered me on with Darren last week at Handy Cross. A young runner Donald, whose Dad also runs with the club is an impressive youngster and kept up with me whilst going up the hill without stopping to catch a breath.
Nike App Result. Distance: 13 km Time: 1:04:29 Avg Pace: 4'57''
Run 2
This was the race I had been waiting for since I heard about it. The Dorney Dash 10k is hosted by the Datchet Dashers Running Club and held at Dorney Boat Club, using Dorney Lake (home to the Summer Games last year) as the route.
Once being dropped off by Jo, who had to go and start her Summer Schools job at Eton College, I met up with other Burnham Joggers and started preparing for the race.
It was nice to see how many other clubs were there (over 90 represented clubs) and there was also JAWS (Joggers and Wheelers) celebrating their 30th Anniversary so had the numbers 1-30 on their running vests.
Chris Rose and Pete Walker were at the race and this gave me some people to challenge and also pace against. The race organisers had kitted out pacemakers to assist those who wanted a rough pace time 40,50,55 and 60 mins.
At the start I let Chris go on ahead and kept an eye on his progress. I ran 1k the fastest, based on the Nike+ app in 3'34'' and this was a nice piece of flat road winding its way to the far end of the Lake and towards the 2k point in which I reached in 3'46''. A drinks station was ahead but I didn't take a drink this time as I wanted to concentrate on catching up with Chris and making a challenge. At around 3k, which I made in 3'45'' I caught up with Chris and stayed with him for a few hundred metres. With the extra energy stored from not starting off too quickly I pushed on ahead. The race was heading back towards the boat house and was straight but over some bridges as well and I reached the 4k point in 3'59''. This was also the same time as 5k, in which I picked up a cup of water and splashed myself down for coolness rather than thirst.
The race had completed a large loop and was now on the beginning part again. At the 6k point I managed it a lot quicker in 3'47'' and found the heat picking up which seemed to affect my speed. At 7k I did it in 3'54'' and knew that having a second drink and going around the last part of the lake, meant that it was going to be the home straight.
8k came slightly quicker at 3'49'' and the final stretch to 9k was 3'53''.
Then the unfortunate happened and my phone armband came off about 300m away from the finish and as I called out in dismay I heard Patricia shout- just run. She stopped it for me when I crossed the line and this only made a small difference to the actual result.
The results came in pretty quick but I was just pleased to finish and also get 1st place in the club points.
Nike App Result. Distance: 9.96km Time: 39:03 Avg Pace: 3'54''
Actual result. Distance: 10km Time: 38:33
Position 20th Club position 1st Team Result 1st
The next few weeks I will be working at Eton College but aim to get out and run along the Jubilee River to help my half marathon training.
FUTURE RACES
Helpers Half Marathon (Burnham Joggers) 11th August
Wooburn Park 10k on 8th Sept
London Zoo 10k on 15th Sept
Windsor Half Marathon 29th Sept
Henley Half Marathon 13th Oct
MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BLOG
Remember I am doing this blog to raise awareness and money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and have set up and fundraising page on the virgin money giving site.
Jo's grandad was a hugely popular figure in the local community hence why I am pleased a lot of the running is taking place in areas he knew well.
For anyone wishing to donate please go to the donation page below.
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