So today was the day… my first “competitive” race, the Beverley Lions Club New Year 10km. It was freezing cold at Market Cross (literally -2!) though it didn’t take too long to get warmed up. Around halfway through I was running a reasonable time but flagging a bit - one of the old boys from the athletics club got alongside me and helped pace me round. But before I get to the final time a lesson in humility!

As I ran down the finishing straight on market cross, as asphalt became cobbles I slipped over! The only thing which was really hurt was my pride, though my little finger and knees are a tad sore and my running gloves are wrecked! I’m also generally quite tired but that’s probably got as much to do with staying up to see in the New Year!

My final time was 54 minutes which I really happy with (under the one hour that I hoped to achieve!). Now I’m really starting to think about the Bath Half Marathon in March.

You’ll notice sponsorship link on the right of the page and a donate link in the menu at the top. I’ve set a target of £400 to raise for Shelter a charity who I’ve supported for a number of years and whom have done incredible work making sure that children have safe housing in which to grow up in. Please give generously!

….and so is the 10km Lions race!!! (See the route at realbuzz.com) I’m now into rave race preparation mode - laying the kit out, checking trainers, thinking about what I’m eating and making sure that I have my money for the entry form! It’s incredible how nervous I feel about the whole thing - especially as I ran 10km last week on my own and didn’t feel too bad afterwards. I keep reminding myself that the only aim for the event is to finish and to keep running/jogging throughout the whole thing!

I’m just thinking about kit and stuff at the moment. Whether to go ready to run, or take some rubbish kit and a bag dumping the kit not caring too much if I get it back at the end of the race! The later seems attractive because I stay reasonably warm until the race, though I do need to find some clothes I happy to say goodbye to!

Anyhoo, look at me gabbing on like an old lady - the nerves are really starting to show! I’ll let you know how I go :) Blessings…

So I did a 30 minute 5km today around Loughborough. It wasn’t too bad and excitingly I was able to use my brand new trainers (a nice pair of supporting New Balance 913s). It has however been pretty cold over the past few days and at 2c this morning it was rather chilly!

Anyhoo, short update, I need to pack and sleep! Blessings :)