I really wasn't sure about doing this race.
I felt tired, achey, really unprepared plus it was raining and all the people I knew who were going to be running it pulled out/couldn't make it etc. Not a great start...
It was also logistically quite difficult to get to being on the north side of Wimbledon Common. For people relying on public transport getting to the start location was hard with the nearest station definitely not within walking distance. Mark drove but it was literally just off the A3 (dual carriageway) and we were coming from the wrong direction so had to go past to the next roundabout and turn around and come back. We ended up doing this twice (!) as there wasn't enough parking and when we initially turned up the car park was also still full of large lorries who had to be moved on.
Anyway, eventually I got my number and timing chip and after joining the long queue for the toilets, and taking part in the warm up took off around the 5k course. There was 10k and 15k as well, which was just 2 and 3 laps of the same route.
It was a beautiful and lovely trail run- a muddy track, with tree roots, soft sand and squishy mud. It totally took my mind off everything and I loved the signs en-route telling us to watch our for horses or low-flying golf balls!
The 2nd km was all up hill and I had to walk some as my calves were screaming at me (so tight - I need a date with my foam roller, or a sports massage!)
We ran through thick undergrowth, under tree canopies and past a lovely lake - despite the hills and feeling very unfit I really enjoyed the course π It rained on and off but I didn't really mind.
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| The lake en-route - on a sunnier day however! I wish I'd taken some photos while running as it was a beautiful course. |
I finished in an ok 35:19, which is about a minute slower than my 5k PB but considering I've only run twice since theΒ We Own The Night 10k, and neither of those runs have been longer than 2-3k I wasn't expecting much.
I just went out there to complete a new fun and off-road course, and take it as a training run rather than a race. I'll definitely be scoping out more trail routes! And adding some hill training to my running schedule π
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How do you deal with not wanting to run/race and feeling un-motivated? Do you love trail runs?Β
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Beki x
PS. Mark kindly came along and took photos again.
![[LEAVES] So many crunchy leaves, so much fun with big sister... ππ₯°π
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Love the medal! Well done hun π
I'm loving the trail runs this year. So much more to look at!
That medal looks nice. I like that it congratulates you right on the medal!!! π
Thanks! π And yeah it's a pretty nice medal.
I totally agree! It's much nicer than running on roads. Haha yeah I liked the medal for that reason too! π
That looks gorgeous! Have you ever been tempted by Parkruns? My Dad loves doing the Wimbledon one- if the scenery is like that then I can see why.
I've done a couple of Parkruns- the one in Bushy Park is my nearest which is nice π I just need to get organised on a Sat morning to get there more!