I've come to the conclusion I like a 10am start, I'm far more awake and I can't taste my breakfast anymore during the warm up. Getting up an hour earlier is a struggle so, best take advantage of these ones.
So it's the weekend morning and I'm at Merthyr leisure center... parkrun time... wait no. It's Sunday. It's Merthyr 10k time. I rock up, have a chat for 10 with my former club mates (out in force, a great site) and then set off on my mile warm up.
After a canter and a further chat we made our way to the start line, mere yards away from the parkrun one and we were off. Well everyone else was off, I was not paying attention and was caught off guard, and too far back... oops, schoolboy errors!
After that a brisk downhill start got me going and I got into my stride quite well, my usual doubting in my head didn't start til later than normal and for not as long as usual! I was able to keep a pretty even pace throughout and pushed for the finish with not all that much left. Think I did it quite well.
On course I picked up far more places than I lost and it felt... fine! Good almost. The course wasn't flat, but you'd not call it anything past... bumpy. Caerphilly and 1/2 of Treforest are far worse for difficulty. This was an opportunity and I feel I took it quite well.
Perked up at the finish as the wife n kids were waiting to cheer me in which is always a boost at the end.
So how did I do:
Targets were:
Baseline: 52:51
Achievable: 48:00
Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time: 46:00
and I did:
Happy camper! Can never argue with a PB, but even though I still think I can go quicker. If I can sort my head in the middle of the race, I think there's more in the tank.
Things to improve of course, basic speed is still lacking, even though light years ahead of where it was, and concentration / focus in the middle where I always seem to think I'm about to collapse even though I'm perfectly fine. I'm odd.
Suppose we'll see if I get into Swansea, that's flatter and faster!
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