A place in the British 10k London Run 2014

After years of avoiding larger events, it looks like I'll finally be running the British 10k London Run on 13 July 2014. This event attracts 25,000 runners. It seems like a lot of people to squeeze through the streets of London, but they seem to manage it each year. I'm quite nervous at the prospect of running with so many other people but I'm sure it'll be a brilliant day with plenty of support around the course.

It's actually quite a fitting race for me to take part in because I was in central London and logged my first ever run on the day of the 2010 event. I didn't know about the event when I went out that morning, but I remember jogging around St. James's and Green parks and seeing lots of runners turning up and preparing for the race. At the time I remember thinking that 10k seemed like such a long distance to run.

2014 is the centenary of the start of the first world war and in honor of this the race will have a number of commemorative aspects - more info here. It starts on Piccadilly and works its way through to the city via an out and back route along the river, then passes the London Eye, Parliament and Westminster Abbey before finishing on Whitehall.

New Balance are the official sports brand of the event and will be supplying 'individual and corporate' runners with a commemorative tech t-shirt.

It seems so far away at the moment, but I imagine the time will fly by. And of course, I have a few significant events booked in before this comes around. The Paddock Wood Half being my first flat-course half-marathon (where I'll be hoping for a pb) and the North Downs Way 30 (that's 30 kilometres) being the longest and toughest race I've entered to date.

2014 is looking good - all I have to do is stay in one piece!

Tonbridge half-marathon (13 days to go)

It's less than two weeks until my first half-marathon so I thought it was about time to post an update on the half-marathon preparations.

The race has reached its limit of 1000 entrants. It's definitely going to be the biggest race that I have taken part in. Also, they have confirmed that Dame Kelly Holmes will be starting the race.

My race pack arrived in the post last week. It contains my race number, timing chip in a sealed envelope which I must not open until race day (I don't know if I can resist the urge to peak inside), directions and parking information, and a luggage tag in case you need to store things during the race.

race pack contents

The race director has also sent a few emails with further details. I like that he is keeping in regular contact with the entrants. There will be a company selling commemorative tech t-shirts on the day (I had hoped there would be one included in the post-race goody bag). You can pre-order one but as I'm funny with sizings I'll have a look at them on their stand and decide whether to buy one on the day.

Training

I have done six runs of half-marathon distance or greater and been consistent with my five runs per week schedule, apart from one week back in July when my left hamstring was playing up so I only did four. But then I did six a couple of weeks ago, so it balanced out.

My mileage has steadily increased and is firmly in the 50-55km per week window. Last week I had some time off work and that enabled me to put in a 59.7km week. Very happy with that side of the training.

The only part of the training that hasn't gone to plan are the Wednesday speed training sessions. The weekly parkrun races that I have been taking part in have made me nervous about going for too much speed during the week. I have gone as far as a few tempo runs during the week but that is about it.

I'm now in the window where my training plan suggests that I taper. There is one Sunday long run left before the race and the plan is for that to be around 15k. I suppose I should stick to the plan rather than doing the full long run, after all Bob Glover knows better than I do.

All that's left is to get through the next 13 days without doing anything silly, and arrive in one piece at the start line.

7t

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Weald 10k Race pack arrives

I had some post today. For once it wasn't a bill. It was my race pack for Sunday's 10k. The contents were - the race number, driving directions and advertisements for various local business in the Weald.


I hope people don't keep stopping me to take down the number of Beadles VW. That'll really mess up my time.

bye for now!

Sevenoaks Weald 10km pre-race thoughts

On Sunday 4 September 2011 I will be taking part in the 'The Weald St. George's 10km race'. The latest news is that Dame Kelly Holmes will be starting the race. I am looking forward to it.

This 10k is scheduled into my training plan as a warm-up for the Tonbridge half-marathon. It's not intended to be the focus of my running. So as it stands I don't know what my plan is for it. It seems a shame to go to the effort of entering a race and then just cruising along, but perhaps that is the point. I'm going to have to re-read my HM training notes for guidance!

Dame Kelly Holmes starting the 2009 race
(photo:Weald Parish Council Website)

Course:

All race details including the course description are on the race website.

The direct link to the official map of the course is here.

I have also plotted the route myself (to check the hill profile), hopefully you'll find it here.

Due to it being an undulating course it is going to be impossible to set a new personal best. For the record my current 10k PB stands at 42:07, that was a fairly flat course in Staplehurst.


Goals:

• Sub-50 if I stick with HM pace practice OR sub-45 of I decide to race properly
• To not injure myself
• To enjoy it and the scenery
• To get a high-five, low-five, hand-shake etc.. from DKH at the end
• To cross the finish line smiling

Other:

As of 28 August there are 257 entrants. I'm sure I read that last year there were over 400, what else is happening that weekend to make such a big difference?

My race pack was scheduled to be sent out on 27 August, so it should arrive early this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed because my last 10k race pack did not arrive and I had to contact the race director to have a spare number made ready. It couldn't happen on two consecutive races, could it?

I will of course post a race report as soon as I can after the race with lots of lovely photos taken by my number one fan (the wife).

Don't forget to follow me on twitter. I am @copy7t - I'll probably tweet my provisional result straight after the race. (although the official result may not be available until later).

Take lots of care, run and smile (all at the same time if you feel like showing off!).


ich.bin.7t

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Pre-race thoughts - Staplehurst 10k

This weekend I am registered to run another 10k race, this one is in Staplehurst, Kent. According to everything I've read it's supposed to be a fairly flat course.

My current personal best (during a race) for 10k is 47.13. My goal for this race is to break the 45 minute barrier. I feel like it should be well within my capabilities, I recently ran a 20.55 5k. I've increased my mileage significantly over the last few months and I'm feeling good while running. But you never know what will happen on the day!

Today I've been in contact with the race director because my race number and instructions have not yet arrived. He has been extremely helpful and if it doesn't turn up by Saturday I can contact him and he'll have a replacement print-out of my number waiting for me on race day.

All I have left to do is a couple of easy runs and then a nice rest on Saturday. The weather forecast looks good at the moment, although it's so random at the moment it could easily change. I'm really looking forward to this one, probably more so than the others, and mostly because it's supposed to be a flat course!

I try to get a race report with photos out on Sunday evening!

7t

Pre Race - Bedgebury Forest 10km

I've been feeling quite groggy for the last few days (headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, congestion etc..) but today I feel like I might be turning a corner. *fingers crossed*

The off-shot to that is that I haven't felt like running as much as I'd like, plus I have a race this weekend and I don't want to do anything silly in the next few days!

Anyway, the race....

It's the Runner's World Trailblazer 10km at Bedgebury Forest, near Tunbridge Wells.



This is my first race that has staggered start times, I am in wave 2 - which is the first sub-50 minute wave. Unless the course is extreme hilly I should comfortably come in well within 50 minutes. If I have a very good day I could be looking at a time somewhere near 45 minutes, if I break 45 minutes I'll be ecstatic! (current PB for the distance was during a training run and stands at 47.12)

There are 894 entrants listed on the race website (I'm no. 761), I'd be really happy to make it into the top 10 percent - So overall 89th position or better will do that (unless some people drop out).

You can see some course details - here! It's the second race in the series.

I'm hoping that the wife will be able to take a few photos on the day and I will of course write a race report at the weekend.

7t.