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http://www.flitwick10k.org.uk/ |
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Check out my new red hair! |
Around this point I was aware of a lady running in a thick T-shirt and long trousers, panting like she was about to collapse (I imaginatively nicknamed her panting woman). I targeted and then overtook her, only for her to speed up and retake me. Damn, she can't do that!
There was a water station at 5 km (roughly 3 miles) and I gratefully took a cup, only to almost drown myself by inhaling most of it. This is why I don't drink while running. At 7 km there was a rather daunting looking hill and at this point I sneaked one of my two secret weapons (a jelly baby) from my back pocket, and the energy boost/placebo effect got me up the hill without faltering. And I (finally) shook that blimin' panting woman!
There was another horrible hill around 8 km (another jelly baby consumed to help) but by this point I knew I was nearly at the end (and that it was mainly downhill). Ignoring the advice I'd been given, I upped my pace and overtook dozens of other runners. THAT is a fab feeling! As I saw the village green come into sight I knew I was almost finished. A spectator shouted "Come on Stotfold!" (YES!) and I managed to find a bit extra to get me over the line quickly.
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Rear shot because I have a nice ass now, apparently ;) |
The pain wasn't quite over for me; both my kids wanted to run in the children's 1-mile fun run. I told my 5-year-old son to stay with me and his sister, but he sprinted off into the distance! My husband spotted he'd got away from me and I have never seen him run so fast to catch him up so he could run with him! Son finished in less than 10 minutes (future runner I think [Stotfold juniors?!]) and me and my 3-year-old daughter in about 20 minutes (she said "Mummy this is really hard!"). But neither of them stopped for a moment, so I was very proud. And we all have a medal to show for our hard work.
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Proper medals! |
Roll on my next challenge. Any ideas what I should do?!