Sometime, for unknown reasons, you have a great run.
I think we've all had them. The ones where you go out for a 'slow jog' and smash out a speedy distance run. Or the ones where you somehow find yourself full of energy, when you thought you were knackered. My favourites are the runs where you find yourself grinning half way through your run, out of nothing more than the joy of running outdoors.
And sometimes you can have a run where it simply beats expectation, as I did today. I've been ill most of the week; haven't eaten or slept well; and expected nothing special from this morning's Herts 10k.
I had a stormer!
The rain lashed down all morning, and water logged much of the course, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the runners. I started a few metres from the front - a little further back than I would have liked - but a quick start overtook a few people in the first kilometre, and by the third I'd settled in with a few similar paced runners. By now, the third kilometre, I'd typically be starting to slow, and while my fourth km was the only one over 4 minutes, it was an anomaly in a run that otherwise felt pretty good. I didn't feel the usual exhaustion - tired, yes - but not exhausted. And there was a determination that I didn't realise I'd be taking around the route with me. It's possible the new playlist had something to do with it!
Through the race I remember seeing the km markers tick by faster than usual, and having 'revised' the route a little last night I knew when I wanted to push hard. A km before the end and I dug for that last ounce of energy. I overtook someone I'd been running with most of the race, only to hear them splashing in the puddles at my heels with 400 metres to go. A sprint to the finish (with the aforementioned runner behind me!) and I caught sight of my finishing time... 37 minutes and 41 seconds.
Sorry. 37 minutes?
A celebratory fist bump was definitely in order! A PB of just over a minute, and on a day when I really didn't expect to even hit sub 40. This also put me in 9th place of over a thousand. I felt elated!
I should use the end of this rather self centred review of the Herts 10k to talk of the organisation. As it has been in each of the three years that I've now taken part, it's hard to fault. A great route (although I'm biased as a relative local), plenty of marshals and an efficient finish. The race is in cause of local hospice, Grove House, a charity I've raised money for in the past, who are doing some fantastic work in the area.
Overall it's still one of my favourite races in the calendar. I'll be back next year to crack the top 5...
