Sorry you’ve not heard from me for a while. I would love to say it was because I’ve been out pounding the streets and haven’t had the time to blog – but that wouldn’t be the case. No, just before this year’s women’s 10k, I developed a severe bout of laryngitis which meant antibiotics and 5 days in bed.
Despite getting my voice back before race day, I still felt weak and exhausted and I kept thinking that there was no way I would be able to complete the whole 10K.
I was devastated at the thought of not being able to take part in the race. Most people who know me, know that my mum’s illness was actually the reason I decided to put on a pair of trainers in the first place and I promised myself, that as long as I could walk, I would take part in the Glasgow Women’s 10k every year in her memory.
Anyway, I talked myself into running by deciding that it didn’t really matter what time I did it in. I just wanted to take part and complete it. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I completed it in 1hr 5min 2secs (nearly 3 minutes off my time from last year). Despite feeling unprepared for the race I actually found it easier than I had in the past. So I have to ask myself, why?
Was it because I had been doing the 5×50 challenge (run 5K for 50 days) before Christmas and then again, for 35 consecutive days before I fell ill? Or was it because I’d been going to interval training exercise classes – circuits and metafit? Or maybe because I was running with my friend and despite the fact we couldn’t talk to each other, I knew she was there for me and I was there for her? Or just that I had no expectations of a good time so felt less pressure? Who knows?
All I do know is that I feel incredibly proud of myself.
My new goal is to to try hard to continue running on a regular basis and hopefully one day break the one hour mark. How I do that I’m not sure? But if anyone out there can point me in the right direction, let me know.
Thanks, Laura x
