An epiphany - Coventry War Memorial 10K

I’ve had a revelation. Get this – training works.

It actually works! I started my training plan on the 4^th of November, and did my first race last Sunday. And I PB’d it! *does happy dance*

Clearly this wasn’t part of the training plan, and being honest, this wasn’t my first race (I’ve been very average in lots of races).

But anyway – it was my first race since starting my London marathon training. A 10km run through Coventry War Memorial Park.

It was a slightly odd race. For a start, it wasn’t sign-posted at all. We (me and t’other half) arrived at the park wondering if we’d gone to the right place. The only indication we had was the steady flow of Lycra-clad people emerging from the car park. With no signs to guide us, we followed the crowd.

After registering, stabbing myself with safety pins, and playing with a very fat dog called Rolo (an awesome Cavalier King Charles spaniel, very similar to my Mum’s little pup – cue gratuitous photo opportunity of Buddy), it was time to start.

Buddy 

Except we didn’t start. Instead we trudged through the park at a very manageable 20 minute mile pace, wondering what on earth was happening. Eventually (practically back at the car park) we stopped, and from up ahead an undecipherable noise - which turned out to be a man with a megaphone – delivered the race instructions. Three and a bit loops of the park (hence the walk), finishing back at the registration area.

Once the race actually started, it was great. The War Memorial park was beautiful, and being so close to Remembrance Sunday it was full of poppy wreaths and each tree was tied with a knitted poppy. The air was cool, and other than the puffing and panting of runners, it was very peaceful. I do love a nice park.

Now, for the past year I’ve very much been a run/walker. Since injuring my knee I’ve found it hard to sustain a decent pace, and the temporary relief of a walk break was all that would see me through. At least that was how I felt – in retrospect, I think a fair bit of that was my head saying ‘stop!’ Because on Sunday I ran the whole race. No walking. Not one step. I ran the race comfortably, keeping a fairly even pace (with the help of my Garmin. Have I mentioned how much I love my Garmin? Best present ever!) And I can only assume that the regularity of training actually works.

So there you have it! I’m a convert. No more going for a run and just taking it as I find it. I do enjoy the freedom of just running because I feel like it, and I’m fairly confident that my days of heading off to the local park to run and look at the ducks isn’t over. But structured training has shown me results in just two weeks. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself J