This was the PB that I wanted! The 10km PB of 44:52 set in 2012 at The Mens Health Forum 10k in Glasgow. I have never got below 45mins since and it's always been the target. In 2013 at the same event I ran a very annoying 45:02 (and nearly vomited at the finish line in the process). I have been running really well recently, and the conditions were perfect on the day of the confusingly named Bella Belter race in Pollok Park (named for the organising Bellahouston Harriers I believe, not the venue). It was dry, cool, the course was flat, I was fit and light (all things are relative) and I was hopeful if not optimistic that I could run a PB. And I did. By some margin. I ran in at 43:02.
Still taking start line selfies. Number 113. Yesterday I was 213. Spooky!
My Garmin Forerunner 310 is being repaired at the moment so I am using my old Garmin Forerunner 10. The Forerunner 10 is really neat, it's small, light, and simple, but it doesn't tell me all the information I want on one screen. It was telling me my lap times every 1km and I calculated in my head at about 8km that I might be able to do a 43 minute something. Prior to the race I had no idea what pace I had to run to do 43 mins because I was aiming for sub 4:30 per km to get below 45 mins. So when I crossed the line and I heard the nice lady say, "something, something, blah, blah, :02", my first reaction was "NNNOOOO!!!!!". I thought I'd come in at 44:02 and just missed out on 43 mins something. Then I checked my watch. At first I was delighted and then I was a bit annoyed because if I'd just checked my watch 30 seconds ago I'm certain I could have found 3 seconds to bring my time in under 43 mins. Lesson learned. But I am very happy.
Baby Hielan' Coos at Pollok Park. Surely the cutest thing ever?
I know that the hardest race you've ever ran is the one you have just ran or the one you are still running, but having now run a few half-marathons and many 5km races, I think 10km is the toughest distance. It is for me anyway. It's the mixture of distance and speed that the other two don't have that make it so tough(for me) . 10km is still my favourite distance and that's why despite recently setting 5km and half-marathon bests, this PB means the most to me.
The finish line. Not many people here yet because I was so fast! :-D
Very well organised and friendly race again and I really hope to run the full Tour of Clydeside next year if it is held again. I only ran the last two races of the series but they were both excellent and a credit to the organisers. They deserve more than the relatively small number of runners that took part - but maybe the intimate nature of the runs partly make them what the are? Also I love the starter pistol. You don't get enough starter pistols at races.
So that was
Day 71 and I keep on running. Next up is the 250th Edinburgh Park Run and 21mins 21secs to beat!!!
N.B. A significant improvement on my 2009 time!
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