Croydon 10k - Run


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Croydon, England
United Kingdom
Croydon Harriers
12C / 54F
Overcast
 		Total Time = 10h 15m
Overall Rank = 43/714
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got up three hours before race and had a pint of water, a bowl of museli with water instead of milk and half a toasted wholemeal pitta with olive oil spread. I ate something similar before my twenty mile race last week and it seemed to work so I repeated it this week. Went to the loo a couple of times had a lie down and got my number and kit ready before starting my jog to the event.
Event warmup:

For once I actually made the effort to put some thought into my warm up. I plodded to the event which is about 2-3 miles away from my home and then walked, jogged and did a couple of sprints before stretching.
Run
  • 38m 25s
  • 10 kms
  • 03m 50s  min/km
Comments:

Aim was to run a sub 40m, started had and managed the first few ks at 3.45 pace. Got to the halfway mark at about 18 minutes and knew that my target was possible. Faded a little at around the 7k marker but knew that if I kept going I was sure to get a PB. Funny how much of an improvment in mood can be made just by seeing a familiar face and hearing your name isn't it? Felt better after the water station, didn't drink much water but managed to get most of it over my head which really seemed to help. By the time I got to the 8k mark I was confident that I was going to get my time, the only thing that could stop me would be a tram. Low and behold just as I pass the 400m to go marker I spot a tram, luckily enough it had gone by the time I got to the track and I went straight up the road to finish in my new 10k PB - Woot Woot!! I must really be working hard nowadays as I crossed the line and started retching, thats the second time in my last three races. I'm acually quite proud, I must be some sort of weirdo?
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, I'm really pleased. Croydon 10k is quite a tough course and I managed to get a good respectable time. Last race before the marathon, bring it on.
Post race
Warm down:

Jogged about half a mile with some mild stretching. Had a cup of tea and a hot cross bun as well.

Event comments:

http://www.croydon10k.com/IMAGES/Route10k.jpgroute map
http://www.croydon10k.com/IMAGES/Route10kHeight.gifprofile


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Last updated: 2006-03-25 12:00 AM
Running
00:38:25 | 10 kms | 03m 50s  min/km
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/714
Performance: Good
Course: The course is quite undulating and I didn't expect to go as well as I did. You start in a side road next to a large park run to a main road turn left and run up a mild incline for the first 1200m then turn left and the course is flat for about the next k. Turn left at the end of the road and begin a long downhill before turning left onto a level road lasting about 1km. You then turn left into a residential area and hit the 5k mark. This area is full of twists and turns, ups and downs and can be quite demoralising. when you get back onto the main road your are coming upto the 8k mark and there a couple more hills before a long mildly uphill straight to the finish. The course crosses tram tracks three times on the course and if you are unlucky you'll have to wait for one to pass as the seconds tick away.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4