Few lessons learned from this, my first running race. I know in training I run 10min miles (and I timed my long run last week and was even slower than that) but to give myself a bit of a push I queued up in the section that said 9 min per mile pace. Big mistake on 2 counts. Firstly with hindsight I ran faster than this (woo hoo!) but secondly most of the people in that section were running A LOT slower than that. I spent the first quarter of a mile or so just trying to get out and round the crowd to get my pace going. In fact it was past the one mile marker before I had got to a place that was my pace.
Couldn't quite believe it when passed the mile marker and a man was counting the time and said 8min 14sec. Having found my spot then didn't get overtaken (or overtake) until last half mile when a few women went past me. I was determined not to slow down but I couldn't go any faster either.
One water stop just after half way and I took water just to get practice in. Got most over myself and not in my mouth and then I felt like a real litter bug throwing the cup on the side of the road.

Needless to say I am amazed and quite shocked at my time.

Should also add that the race atmosphere was pretty inspiring

Get a bit further forward at the starting line.
Should work on getting stronger at the finish but as my ultimate aim is longer distance triathlons I'm not too worried about this.

Pretty much collapsing (whilst standing) - unable to talk and walking around (with husband asking "where are you going?" and me completely unable to answer.

had a banana and water


HA can't really say I could have gone faster - but I guess positioning at start and also fitness and lack of speed work (been working mainly on endurance)


Nice flat easy course just right for what it is aimed for (charity race).
First experience of chip timing - this was disposable thing on my race number.
Very impressed how quickly results up at the end and on the website