Well, after a few weeks back on the training we all headed this weekend to the Bupa ‘Great Capital Run 2008’, a 10k race around Hyde Park.
We were determined not to repeat the mistakes of our last London trip (see http://jerseyrebels.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-race.html or http://jerseyrebels.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-offical-im-runner.html for full details).
So, on arrival in London, Marathon B headed straight to his running clinic for a check-up, while my other half and I went into town. The good intentions lasted for an hour until we found ourselves in the ‘Moet & Chandon’ bar in Selfridges, at this point and after the first glass slipped down I realised drastic measures were called for otherwise the afternoon would be lost. We quickly got ourselves to Leicester Square and into the cinema before the lure of the pub became overwhelming. After watching Wall-E (excellent) – we had a wander around Covent Garden (buying shoes and a handbag - my partner is an absolute female cliche!) then made our way to Miso to meet up with Marathon B.
As a surprise for my partner we had bought some tickets to Les Miserables (seats this time – not four hours on our feet) – so went there straight after feeding. Spent a few hours being wailed at in a dreadful show (not my thing) – interspersed with another glass of champagne and a jug of Pimms. After the show we went straight back to the hotel for an early night – and rest before the main event.
Sunday morning started clear and bright – which woke me up at 5:00 – the hotel curtains were shocking! After a healthy breakfast of muesli and juice, we got our gear together and met up with my folks in the park. We wandered with them down to the start and met up with Marathon B – after a quick photo shoot, and a round of high-fives – we split up and made our way to our individual starting pens (as we were expecting different finish times).
The run itself was ok – except I started off too quick (due to a poor pacing calculation) – passed 5km in 21:12, and finished in 43:10. The only slight annoyance was the over-estimation of many of the runners at the front with their timings. I started in the 44 – 47 min group, but by 1km was streaming past runners who had indicated they would run around 40 mins but looked completely shot (except Alesha Dixon – who looked fantastic – I was sorely tempted to follow her around just for the view, but the size of her security runners put me off!). Luckily it was a fairly wide course and allowed some room to overtake.
Marathon T - feeling ok at 1.5km - still on a high from following Alesha Dixon's arse!.
My partner finished in 1:15 – in her first ever road race, and after less than three weeks training – so an outstanding effort. She is now officially an endurance athlete (Marathon K), and has already started talking about the next one and ‘PB’s’!.
Overall it was a really well organised and supported run. Great surroundings and a chance to see world class athletes up close (as the course around Hyde Park loops back on itself a few times – you get to see the guys at the front – awe inspiring).
Team Bupa 10k - Post-Race...Marathon's B, K & T...
Now onto the Marathon training; I managed 10 miles last night – as a warm down – in a steady 8:14/mile pace. There’s a long way to go.
Marathon T
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