A confidence boost and a kick up the behind

By Paul Bradley on Aug 4, 08 10:00 PM

After six weeks of training, injuries, and spending at various sports shops, we finally ran our first 10k race.

We both made it round in one piece but it was more than a little of an eye opener - especially for one of us!

Because as we warmed up for the race in Tenbury, Worcestershire, we realised that the men lining the outside of the field were not just stretching but 'watering the flowers'.

Wisely, I covered Hannah's eyes and made sure she only ran round the centre of the field when we warmed up.

But after the rather bizarre pre-race experience we both got into a solid rhythm and finished in respectable times.

I recorded a time of 53.21minutes and Hannah did 62.03 minutes. We were both chuffed.

But as hard as I tried not to look like an amateur, I did, in fact, look like an amateur.
So much so that on the second hill, when I decided it was time to attack, my arms pumped, my legs pounded and, as I reachd the summit, the insides of my stomach nearly made an unwanted appearance.

Only slowing down to a mere trot saved an embarassing mess...although the indignity of being overtaken by a 70-year-old man was enough to make me feel more than a little sheepish.

Lesson learnt, confidence boosted and a kick up the arse to run more consistently next time.