I did it! Finished my first competitive running race yesterday, if you call 58m39s a competitive 10km time!
I have been doing a bit of running training in the past few months but lost some ground due to my busy social schedule over the past five weeks. In fact if it wasn’t for the fact that I managed to convince Oanita to do her first 10km run with me a few months ago on a Thames boat, and THEN got Guy “Running Snake” Laister, Russell “Red Face” Hatcher and Brendan “Iron Man” Gray to join in the fun, I might very well have pulled out last minute.
The race was around my neck of the woods, in Guy’s words - The setting for the race was the stunning Moor Park Golf Estate and surrounds, near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire (northwest London).
For the first couple of hours before the race I was very relaxed considering I should have been quite nervous. Once the race started off, I settled into my stride, Owie and myself pacing ourselves with the help of Brendan who was taking it easy to help us through it. I was hoping for sub 60 minutes but wasn’t counting on the killer Moor Park monster, a 1,5 kilometre 60 m ascent hill! It almost killed me but with the help of Owie and Brendan I got over it and made my way fairly easily through the rest of the course kicking on to ensure I got home easily under 60 with a little gas in the tank, surprisingly.
Guy was a little disappointed with his 51m28s, nothing like being ungrateful about the talents you’re blessed with! Russ stunned the crowds by coming in just behind him on 51m51s. Truly a remarkable feat for somebody also running his first ever race. I think he was still filled with adrenaline after shaking William Gallas’ hand whilst celebrating his first goal for Arsenal the day before at the new Emirates Stadium.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day especially the beers and burgers afterwards and of course my knee held up and didn’t give me any problems, thank-you Dr Joshi in Bombay! Owie’s knee didn’t fare quite so well, but I’m sure with a bit of rest she’ll be back to join the team for the next big challenge. A few 10km runs and then either the Stockholm Marathon or the Midnight Sun Marathon (I’m only doing the half, obviously).
Photos are here, Guy’s are here, and the information contained in Brendan’s amazing arm computer is uploaded here, seriously worth a gander just to see what kind of technology he runs with e.g. Garmin GPS, Altimeter, Heart Rate monitor etc.
18 comments
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26 September, 2006 at 2:25 am
Kristian
If you settle for the Polar Night Half marathon, you definetly should start running in cold weather. Tromsø in january can reach between freezing -10 degrees (celsius) and -20 (rare), and you need some time to get used to the clima. Luckely it doesn’t reach the extreme temperatures common for these latitudes (69N). Definently worth a visit during the winter season (nov-mar).
- Kristian, student in Tromsø
26 September, 2006 at 11:06 am
Champagne Heathen
Well done! Impressive. I think. I have no clue what sort of time one should make when running/walking/swimming/partaking in any sporting activity for 10kms.
26 September, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Colin
Nice one. I’m in the process of getting my fat arse fit again. I used to do tons of road running when I lived in SA, but on arrival in the UK I discovered beer and I really couldn’t haul my arse out of bed to go run in the pissing rain on a freeeeezing winters morn. I’m really starting to miss running now.
26 September, 2006 at 1:27 pm
truman
Any nipple rash incidents to report?
26 September, 2006 at 4:46 pm
K
I dont belive it !!! I would have to see it for my own eyes to believe it. How did your body react.?? I remember back in the day when your body use to reject fruit salad. And now a 10 km run !!!! Impossible.
27 September, 2006 at 6:27 am
Peksta
If you’re getting this excited over 10kms then you’ll probably declare yourself Bruce Fordyce after the half marathon.
27 September, 2006 at 10:51 am
David
Thanks for that Champs and Colin.
Champs, it would be really pious of me to suggest that you really should try do some exercise given that I haven’t done any for the last 3 years! BUT it wouldn’t be a bad idea now that summer IS approaching the Southern Hemisphere.
Colin, I can easily empathisise with you there, London just isn;t conducive to a fit and active lifestyle, especially in the bloody long winter months. If I didn’t live out in the “country” I don’t think I would ever have started running.
Truman, Kramer and Peksta, you lazy f*cking slobs! Get off your ass and start getting fit, life is too short. I get support on here from my virtual mates but not my real life mates, thanks a lot. I suppose it also comes down to the fact that you all have girlfriends and hence you’ve become complacent, make sure Sarah, Monia and Lindsay are locked up when I get out to Aus/SA goes they’re gonna realise what they’re missing out on when I get back!
27 September, 2006 at 10:55 am
David
Kristian, welcome to my site and thanks for visiting. Do you know the name of the airline which flies between Tromso and Oslo? Am definitely keen to do the Midnight Sun which is in June, I know it is obviously peak season, whereas winter is low season, but to be truthful being from African stock I don;t think I can handle such cold climes!
27 September, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Kristian
Hehe, actually in Tromsoe winter is high season an summer is low season =). The midnight sun (beetween 31. may - 31. june) obviously attract tourists, however it is the aurora wich is most spectacular. The airlines can be found her: www.sas.no and www.norwegian.no where norwegian is the cheapest, and as we say to the americans, don’t wory there’s no polarbears here =)
Thank’s for a nice site
27 September, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Peksta
Kleintjie,
Don’t start that cr*p. You know that I have completed numerous 10km runs already including photographic proof in the KZN newspapers. In a maids outfit to boot. I too have equalled your 20km cycle in a triathlon at Midmar dam where even the best triathletes have confirmed that the midmar cycle is the hardest on the calendar because of the relentless hill climbs in freezing conditions. On the cards now is the Amashovashova 40km cycle which AJ has already done and the Midmar Mile early next year. Face it, we have been competing while you’ve been opening park crackling packets…
27 September, 2006 at 12:39 pm
truman
I currently walk 200m to work and home every day. I think my fitness program is adequate. Good luck with training.
27 September, 2006 at 12:59 pm
David
Cheers Kristian, of course, totally forgot about Aurora Borealis!! Thanks for the info on flights etc.
27 September, 2006 at 1:08 pm
David
Porksta, don’t take the michael mouse matey!! You know damn well you never actually “RAN” that 10km you did in maids outfit, if so then what was your time?
The day you complete the midmar mile is the day I will actually accept that you have in some way started some form of fitness regime in your life.
That mountainous region around Midmar must’ve been a killer in comparison to Gordons Bay on a brand new bike with a massive hangover and only 3 gears (Struggled to write that sentence because I was on the floor pissing myself laughing - Midmar, hahahahahaha)
Anyway Porkaldson, sign us both up for a race in December, make sure its a two lap circuit because I can’t wait to pat you on the back when I lap you Fordyce style.
Oh and Truman, thats my boy, at least its more than Porksta.
27 September, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Guy
Nothing like a bit of adreneline to get the boys up for it!! Dave, you can post on the 5th Nov about your PB that you’ve just run in that 10km trail race. And, dont worry, training doesn’t let up during winter, you’ll enjoy the pain of the burning sensation as the freezing air enters your lungs!!
2 October, 2006 at 12:34 pm
strategy
Why is your face so red and the others not and they ran it faster?
2 October, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Peksta
This is ridiculous. I return from a week away from the PC to read your trash talk. It is the usual from you. The slightest hint of a swallow and you’re calling it the hottest summer ever. Trust me when I tell you that I do way, way MORE exercise than you do!
2 October, 2006 at 8:13 pm
David
You need to Porksta otherwise you’ll have heart failure at 30!
3 October, 2006 at 11:06 am
Peksta
I think you should worry about the ticker brother. Most midgets don’t make it to the mid life crisis!