Rouken Glen 10k

A 10k might not be most peoples idea of tapering but hey, last year I ran a 10k the Sunday before the WHWR and achieved a new PB! On this occasion however, I was planning on running relatively easy. Crazyboy is returning to form now that he’s managing some consistent training, but I still knew that, in racing terms, sticking with him would stop me being stupid. So stick with him I did, well until 6km anyway. That was the plan. Stay together until the top of the hills (about 6k) then it’s every man for himself. BoyRacer was also running and, hitting a bit of form, and finally deciding to actually race for himself, was aiming for sub 39:00. However he has a heel injury, probably shouldn’t have been running, and pulled out after about 6k or so. Speedy recovery mate!

19:45 6.2 miles (10km) 41:35

1-2 8:25 3 4:07 4 4:27 5 5:00 6 4:32 7-9 11:23 10 3:39  Average (about) 6:41 min/miles

Aaarrggghh… I forgot my GPS! …and so I was forced to kick it old school, and wear my old Nike sports watch. I have  to say that, especially over the latter stages, I enjoyed not knowing the pace I was running at and just going for it. I felt pretty comfortable over the first 6km, and really enjoyed the last 4k, constantly running past people, but not being passed by anyone! I averaged about 6:00 m/m pace over the final 4k and, although there is an element of downhill involved in this section, I’m really happy with that! 

A great goodybag for the £9 the race cost me, an Adidas ‘impossible is nothing’ mug (for my coffee), an Adidas Shoe bag (for my trainers) and a purple and red race T-shirt (in those colours… for dusting?!!? – even WHW Runner may have been happy to let this one go Allybea!).

An easy run with friend and club colleague, WeirRunner tomorrow morning, marks the start of my real taper… oh, and JK, the answer to the burning question you asked on your blog, I would suggest that 24 hours is the best you could possibly hope for ;-)