I woke to a cold, damp day. Not the best weather, but in truth, pretty good for racing.
I arrived about an hour early, as planned. Giving me time to settle down, have a wee warm up run, then get set for the race.
Not having done a 10 mile race for many years, it was difficult to judge a target time to aim for. Last year I did two Spring time 5m races on Gt Yarmouth seafront (pan flat), so, as I felt I was in a physically better place, I decided to aim faster, and aimed for a 4:30 pace.
At the sound of the horn, I set off. Keen not to get carried away and go off too quick, I monitored my pace closely. I'd set my Garmin 920XT for pace (4:15 to 4:30), and kilometre splits, so I'd soon know if I was pushing too hard.
I soon settled into a good pace, and held it for the distance, having enough at the end for a little kick, just to reel a couple of runners in.
Coming in at 1:10:55, I was happy to have held a 4:24/km pace for the 10 miles, covering both 5m splits faster than I covered the distance in last years races, and a negative split, to boot! Yes, you could say I was happy.
Now looking to the Broadland Half Marathon, and taking into account how I felt during and after the race, I am keen to try to aim at 4:15/km, for the 13.1 miles...
I was fine the next day, and felt good enough to increase the 'usual' pace of the Fartlek session, without feeling to battered.
With around 6 weeks until the HM race, I am now increasing my track 5k pace for my intervals, same with the fartlek session I do mid week, too. Target 1:30:00...
