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Helen C
485 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 6:14:39 PM
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This was my first proper Race since Edinburgh in May due to combination of being injured and very busy. I wasn't expecting great things today as I'm still in the process of building my mileage back up after recovering from a calf strain.
The first couple of miles were pretty congested, and so it took me a while to get comfortable at a decent pace. Due to my recent lack of fitness, I had decided to play things by ear when it came to pacing, but I'd forgotten just how much I love racing  Due to the good weather, there were far more people out supporting than last year and I found that the crowds and the music really helped to spur me on. I think this was one of the most enjoyable races that I have run, probably because I had taken the pressure off myself a little bit by not aiming for a particular time, just to get round and have fun.
When I got to the five mile mark I found that I was feeling a lot fresher than I had expected and decided to try to up the pace a little. I found that I could fairly comfortably maintain a sub 12 minute mile pace and I settled into my stride and watched my average pace fall to just over 12:04.
By the time I reached the 8 mile mark I knew that a sub 2hr time was on if I could keep my pace under 11:30 for the final 2 miles. I was starting to feel my lack of training at this point, but I dug deep. Turning onto the seafront for the last mile and a half was agony because we were running into the wind and it was gusting just over 20mph today. I felt sick and wanted to slow down, knowing that I was guaranteed a PB anyway, but that 2hr carrot was too much to resist so I swore at myself and kept pushing. At the 9 mile mark,I saw I was still on target but it was going to be close. Oddly, I felt a wave of euphoria come over me, despite the fact I felt exhausted and my legs felt very heavy. I remembered how much harder this part of the race had felt last year, on my own at the back and in pain. This year I was surrounded by people and I was overtaking them  .
With less that 800m to go I knew it was going to be close. There was a bottle neck and my pace slowed to 12:30/mi and I began to wonder if I was going to make it. I saw the finish line in front of me with less than 2 minutes to reach it and I knew I had to absolutely floor it. I threw everything at that line to the point that my heart rate maxed out, my vision went grey and like a tunnel and I saw my breakfast again fairly soon after crossing the line  . The medics helped me through the finishing funnel as my legs had turned completely to jelly and it took ages to get my breath back. I don't think I have ever put that much into a race - I left absolutely everything on the road.
I almost didn't dare look at the time, and it took my a good 10 minutes to build up the courage. I almost cried when I looked at my watch and saw the time 01:59:50 - under 2 hrs with 10 seconds to spare. That matches exactly the official time and I am ecstatic. A full 17 minutes and 24 seconds faster than last year   Roll on the Brighton 10k in a few weeks for another pb shot. Based on today's performance, I'm in with a chance.
Splits: 10.14 miles in 01:59:50
Mile Pace Time AV HR %max
1 12:20 12:19 78.3%
2 12:15 24:35 83.3%
3 12:04 36:38 85.2%
4 12:09 48:47 86.8%
5 11:58 01:00:44 89.1%
6 11:47 01:12:31 89.3%
7 11:40 01:24:11 91.6%
8 11:48 01:35:59 90.9%
9 11:16 01:47:15 96.3%
10 11:15 01:58:30 97.0%
10.14 09:41 01:59:50 99.7% (!)
A good day's work
Steh auf, geh raus und mach's einfach.
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LittleBigMan
1070 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 6:39:04 PM
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Helen
Absolutely fantastic performance!!! 17:24 off last year too is amazing! Very well done and good luck with your 10k!
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"The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare." |
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Heavyweight
1453 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 7:24:39 PM
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| Superb race & last mile Helen. It certainly was a bit breezy down there this morning. |
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Dips
4077 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 7:30:46 PM
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Fantastic Helen and good to see you back in the land of Uknet. 
I love the idea of you 'flooring it' for the finish.
Will probably see you at the Brighton 10k where,if I run,there is every chance you will over take me.
Dips x
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis
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deano
821 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 7:35:54 PM
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brilliant run helen, 17 mins is a great improvment in one year..well done.
Deano.... Always enjoy your running. |
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mdunn77
1545 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 8:18:15 PM
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| Good stuff Helen, and well done on the massive improvement. |
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colinhewes
182 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 9:39:06 PM
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Excellent effort Helen. That was a huge improvement on last year's time.
Colin Hewes
Stage 4&5 vet. |
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Mij0
848 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 9:56:41 PM
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Excellent! All the best runners revisit breakfast at the end of a race
Fat again but not for long :-) |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2009 : 7:41:01 PM
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Brilliant Helen.... and LOL re your finishing touches! I thought that was my trademark!
Quite glad I can't patent it
So...fast girls puke
A superb time reduction...you must be chuffed to bits. Great to see you |
Edited by - claire1 on 27 Oct 2009 7:41:59 PM |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2009 : 08:18:42 AM
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Great stuff Helen! You must be the happiest you've been since the Man U match Anyway, never was a hearty chunder better deserved!
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Steve
http://www.runsaturday.com/athlete/fishyweb |
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Ian B
1336 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2009 : 9:27:24 PM
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Excellant run Helen, Good to see you have developed some steely determination and confidence to be able to up the pace when you know you can ........and also to throw up in public
Ian B |
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Bupa Great South Run
