Today I ran my first race since the Glasgow injury. It was hard and hilly, but I finished.
This is one of the Sussex Grand Prix races, and one I had never done before; as I have tried this season to do races that were new to me, it fitted perfectly. But I only returned to running two weeks ago. Would that prove enough?
The route is the quintessence of the English countryside, roads and lanes that run by hedges and through woods. It is all on road, and the hedges hide the views, but nevertheless it was glorious. I and a fellow-runner exclaimed in delight when one section took us from the glare of the sun into cool shade, smelling of autumn.
At the start, talking to fellow Striders, warnings were uttered about the hills. At first the route is flat and then descends slightly, but then begins a steady climb and is uphill until the 5k mark. I managed well, and didn't have to stop to walk, unlike others. The Garmin shows only 100m of ascents, so the hills are not terrible; I suppose it is the continuous ascent that puts some runners off. My knee didn't hurt and though my breathing was perhaps not all it should have been, I felt well. After half-way, the route eases a little, and some welcome water freshened me. But by 7 or 8k, I was really struggling. Another runner encouraged me and, following his pace, we passed a farm offering a full English breakfast, and another selling horse manure, he entertained me with thoughts of how one's running technique might have to adapt if carrying a sack. I let him go on and others overtook me. By now it was really hard and as we arrived at Hellingly village, I wondered if I could finish. I kept going, to finish in 1:04:35. I must have looked as if I was in trouble, as another runner, someone I vaguely recognised from the Sussex Grand Prix circuit, asked me if I was all right, and said he had seen me struggling. And perhaps I was close to fainting, for I felt much as I felt once when, as a boy, I was on a walking holiday in the Peak District and collapsed in a swoon. Some liquid restored me.
For official results see: http://www.hailsham-harriers.org.uk/Main%20site/Main%20site.htm Dave Rogers took some photograohs, which may be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_rogers_photos/sets/72157631479713122/with/7962038516/
Thus with a 10k under my belt, I can prepare for another next weekend, the Hove Prom 10k. I hope to be inside the hour this time.
