Tadworth 10 and once more for luck

The Tadworth 10. I entered this event, (I don't call them races because I don't have a hope of winning), before I got the London Marathon place, so it did not fit exactly to the training plan. I shall try to find a way of posting my plan to the blog.

The start is a way from the carpark, so I got there early and ended up trying to keep warm on a wet and windy Epsom Downs racecourse. Started talking to another runner who had a heart transplant and then took up running! He is running a number of marathons this year to raise awareness for transplant donors, his website is here. Only after finding his site today did I realise he is the same age as me. It makes you realise its all too easy to take your health for granted.

I told myself all the way around to 'just go slow, treat it as a training run'. Did I? I guess I was a bit faster than a training run, but not totally pushing it. Certainly sprinted for the finish line as I watched the clock tick past 1:20. Completed the 10 miles in 1:20:03 a little slower than last year. Got the goody bag, a pair of gloves this year, and set off around again to complete the 15 miles my training plan told me to do.

On my, 'lap of honour', I got a number of strange looks from Marshalls packing up their stations and offered a second goody bag from the Marshalls at the finish line!

I am really pleased with the way I feel after this long run. The legs feel strong, and I felt I could go further. So different from when I was last at this point in my training.

My finish position 187th, I can definately improve on this and will return to do better next year.

This week I have run 5 times, 8.46km, 8.62km, 10km, 7.47km and 25.15km for a total of 59.7km (37.3 miles), this is 2km above plan, so I've started well and pleased with my progress.