So, on to the 4th Midweek League Race in St Albans. For the first time in a long time (maybe even ever) NHRR were safe in Division 1 before the race even started. The Ladies and the Vet Men still had a chance at overall glory but as a club we didn't need to stress too much about this race which certainly made a nice change!
The weather for the whole week was very hot and muggy which made me think twice about running. However, on the day itself I felt very perky and decided I would run carefully (as if my bod would let me do anything else!) and drop out if I was getting too hot and bothered. I set off on the
7 mile hilly course armed with my attractive yellow Paris marathon hat and some water looking forward to a nice run round a course which I find hard but enjoyable.
To be honest, I didn't even feel the heat that much (unlike
Statto who really struggled) but I suspect that may be as there is virtually no chance I would be able to go fast enough to be able to get that hot and bothered. After a couple of miles I spotted a St Johns man on a bike and a bit later on he came back to me after having been told by some kind fellow NHRR of my 'condition'! He ended up not getting too far away from me for the next few miles which was nice of him and, although I was feeling fine, quite reassuring too!
I really enjoyed this run, I knew there was someone behind me so I was able to feel confident I wasn't going to come last so it didn't matter if I walked a bit.
Even
Mr C must have been a bit concerned as he came back as far as the last mile to check I was still in one piece and then proceeded to encourage me up a hill by saying I could catch the girl in front of me!
It isn't very often in your running career where you get encouraged in the final few metres of a race by "well done, don't sprint, don't push it too hard"...I think I might adopt this mantra for future use!
All in all, a successful day, I enjoyed my run, didn't conk out halfway though and didn't finish last, what more can a girl ask for!
