First 10k!!!
It felt like a big step up to join the 10k group. My overthinking threatened to hold me back as usual. “Can I manage 10k?”, “will I hold everyone up?”, “it’s a new group, will anyone chat to me?”. These are just some of the thoughts trying to stop me pushing myself!
Well, I put my big girl pants on and I did it. It was unusually cold, it tried to snow and the wind was blasting us in the face. I forgot my ear warming head band which made me really sad half way! I struggle with sore ears when running even when its even a smidgen cold!
Let’s talk about the group though. At this club there are 6 groups in total, with varying distances and paces in each group. This was the 10k group that run around 10-11.5 minute miles. There was around 8-10 of us, I can’t quite remember. The pace was perfect for me, I didn’t feel like I struggled, but my legs did tire towards the end. We did some looping to keep everyone together and meant a little extra mileage!
Every month the start point of the club changes and therefore the routes change too. It keeps things fun and different. It helps me learn new longer routes too. I’m starting to find my usual routes from home boring, so the more new routes I learn, the better.
I liked this route; it had a bit of everything. A nice big loop of Bedford ending up down by the river. There were some short hilly sections but nothing too steep. Hills are not my favourite and I’m still working on the running up hills thing!
Everyone, as usual, was really friendly in this group. I think they were all a little dubious whether I would manage the 10k though! The chat often turns to food, as we run pre-dinner. I am always starving by the end, and running past fish and chip shops doesn’t help! We were also joined on our run by a shopping delivery robot. These things fascinate me!
So I booked a 10k a little while ago for the summer, thinking the distance was a bit daunting, and I’d have to work up to it. Now, I want to book more 10k races, and sooner!! I really want to do the vitality 10k in London, which is in May. It looks like a fun route with a nice goody bag and medal at the end. I’m trying to convince my husband to join me. Any suggestions for any interesting 10ks are most welcome!
