Following the exertions of last weekend, a nice cutback week was definitely on the menu. I probably overdid it a bit - more than halving my mileage from the week before, and getting to the end of the week in no frame of mind for racing.
But my children were in residence, and wanted to race. Especially my eldest who has a decent chance of placing in the series if he does four of the 6 races.
The series is the Centurions Grand Prix - a series of 5mile (and 2K) races held on the first weekend of the month from November, meaning that Race 1 was on Sunday. Come the morning and my 3 little 'uns were all up for it. Whereas I was looking out of the window and secretly hoping that the weather would grace us with enough inclemency to have to stay indoors!
No such luck!
Overcast and a bit dreary looking, but no rain, little wind, and relatively warm in the circumstances.
We ran with the kids in the 2K to keep warm, and because it is just the Best being able to run with your kids
I ran with my middle child - who had to work hard being, as he is, the least sporty of my brood! He ran his little legs off, became pink of face, and smashed his PB for the course by over a minute - AND dipped under 14 minutes.
A magnificent achievement.
My youngest, who's 6, ran completely on her own for the first time and it was fantastic to watch her. She has a running style to die for!
She didn't pb - but I was really proud of her in completing the whole course without the need for verbal cajoling, or someone to hold her hand.
Fantastic!!
My eldest ran hard, finished in 9th place - then declared himself disappointed with the way he ran. He shouldn't be. He actually did fantastically well - and was only 14 seconds slower than his best for the course - AND there was a closed gate to negotiate which is normally open!
Having taken the kids back to the Gym for shelter and warmth, Lorna and I headed back to the start. I STILL wasn't sure how I was going to run, and was definitely not in race-mode.
I decided to see how the first mile went, and take it from there. And I felt OK!
Marginally over 6 min/mile pace, and running hard but steady.
By the time half way came, I had consolidated my place, and felt strong enough to click off pretty regular mile splits - so I did. And in so doing posted an 8 second PB.
I was reminded after finishing just how friendly our club is, as I was approached by a number of folk who all introduced themselves and had a chat. Excellent!
Back to the training this week. Not too hard, but keeping the miles ticking over.
Just one observation from todays run.
There are occasions when you run in such a way that you seem to just stroke the ground backwards with little effort, like you are only touching the ground to stop gravity pulling you downwards. Much of the 8 miles Lorna and I ran today felt like that. It was very satisfying!
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