Race 3: Sevenoaks Rotary 10K: A lesson in why you need to train!

Well, that was tough! It was a beautiful, sunny day yesterday over in Sevenoaks for the 8th annual Sevenoaks Rotary 10K in Knole park. It was been a difficult few weeks and I've not been able to get out to run since the Headcorn Half Marathon. I went in to the race aiming for a sub-45min time, given my lack of practice. What followed was an abject lesson in a number of things!

1. Training really pays off, even if you have been suffering with a bad cold
2. A water bottle is essential!
3. Pace management pays dividends
4. Remember to learn the course before you start...

I am pleased to report that I finished in sub-45, finishing 22nd out of 452 in a time of 43:40 but it was very hard going. Were it not for the 2nd water station there is a good chance that I might not have been able to finish! I did manage a sprint finish again (that's 3 from 3!) although I needed a good five minutes lying down afterwards.

Still, I am stiff & sore but pleased with the result this morning. I have a few weeks now until the next race so, regardless of a few snuffles, I will be out running again later this week to make sure that I am as primed as possible.

No race support team for this one, sadly (Nikki missed out on the first sunny race!) so I had to make do with a rather sweaty selfie afterwards.