Leeds 10k

Day 73 streaking

Today is race day!

Woke up this morning and felt confident, I think from the past couple of training runs I did ok and felt good.

This is the second year that I've done this race. I enjoyed it so much last year, a it was well organised event with a great atmosphere and because the past 2 races have been awful. I decided to sign up 2 weeks ago and started training and changing my diet. I was determined to have a good race and also beat last years time 1hr 02 mins.

Had my best friend and her mini family come out and support me. I left them and tried to find my pen.

It was busy by the time I got there, my start was 9:40 and I got there 9:20. I found a way in and snuck in with the charity runners then walked my way further forward.

It started on time, by the time I crossed the starting line it was 9:45.

First 2k was through Leeds city centre and plenty of spectators. I weeved my way past runners and walkers. The course was flat for most of the way with a slight down hill at 5.5k. At the point we went back on ourselves. So uphill and the sun came out! Up until that point the weather was great, cloudy and a bit windy.

There was 2 water stations, one at 4k and the other at 7k, a spray area and also at 8.5k wet sponges.

I had a steady constant pace through the route and felt good, but just after 8k I had to stop and look for tissue in my pocket because my sweat started to sting my eyes. Anyway, carried on and the as soon as I got to 9k it started to go up hill. Which I totally forgot from last year. I suddenly felt tired and had to walk up the hill a little and the last 600m was exhausting and never ending! At 400m I heard the crowd and that spurred me on a bit more and dug deep to find some energy to have a sprint finish.

Sprint finished and the little voice in my ear announced 10k, 59mins 20secs!!! I beat last years time by nearly 2 mins and the last 10k (3 weeks ago) by 7 mins!!

Wooo! I did it I'm so happy! Two weeks of training had paid off and my hamstrings didn't even give way so I'm so chuffed!

Didn't get a PB but it's as good as one! One step at a time!

Now to keep the training up for Rock n Roll Dublin in exactly 3 weeks!!!