Run > Race

New Forest 10 - Went into the run with the worst preparation I've had going into a race. 2 months of not being able to run properly because of very painful Sciatica, finally recovered with about 3 weeks to go and thought I would be able to run the race, then I picked up a bloody nasty stomach bug 5 days before the race. Wasn't sure until yesterday if i would be able to run, but in true marathon Talk style I decided to "Zip it up".
I set out realising that I should treat the race as a long, slow training run. Had to go on my own as Mich had done night shift. Got to New Park Farm 30 mins before start. It was a lovely morning with sunny spells, approx 20C, which was not as hot as feared. Good atmosphere at the start of the race, which had 1200 entrants. Set off nice and slow, approx 10 min pace, wouldn't have been able to go any faster even if I had wanted too though as it was very congested for the 1st mile. Was getting a bit frustrated with the congestion in the 2nd mile and picked up the pace to avoid the crowded trails. I soon found out that I would not be able to continue at around 9 mile pace, so settled back into a nice and easy 9:45 pace. The scenery was lovely and I ran within a foot of a Highland Cow around mile 3. Was feeling ok but knew there was still a fair way to go, so i just concentrated into not being sucked into a faster pace and kept telling myself to ignore anyone who was going past me (instinct was making me want to speed up when I saw some of the runners who i would not normally expect to overtake me, remember it is a long, slow training run, you're just coming back from injury).
The temperature rose quite dramatically whenever the sun came out from behind the clouds, but it would soon disappear again.
I continued with my slow steady pace, ensuring I took on water from the drinks stations (to go with my bottle of Viper I was carrying). The marshalls were superb and very encouraging. Started to feel it in my legs from around the 7 mile mark but I was determined not to slow to a walk. Gave the big ginger fetchie some encourement when she slowed to walk up a hilly bit with less then 2 miles to go (she smiled, picked it up and soon left me behind).
Was very cautious when I reached the 9 mile marker as instinct was screaming at me to pick the pace up, but i knew that I would struggle badly if I sped up to soon.

I gradually got faster (legs were very tired now) and decided to see what I had left with a 1/4 mile to go. As I passed the ginger fetchie she smiled and said "I'm not letting you beat me" while I know it was said with good humour it made dig deeper and I sprinted away from her down the home straight. I crossed the finish line in 1:37:23 and was pretty shagged.
Although it was a very slow 10 miler for me (I new that the time was irrelivant before the race though) I was really pleased to complete the race without walking considering how unfortunate I was my trainging for this one. I definately want to come back and give this one another shot next year, as I feel this could be a relatively fast course and could certainly challenge my 10 mile pb.
The race was extremely well organised in a beautiful setting with superb marshalls. Hopefully I can get some others to join me when I run this next year