2010 Bupa London 10000
Last Updated on Monday, 31 May 2010 05:39 Written by The Virtual Runner Monday, 31 May 2010 05:36
I’ve successfully completed the Bupa London 10000 again with this year’s event being just as great as last year’s. Sure, there wasn’t a personal best for me this year but I had a really great time and a great run. I ran with a friend who used this as their first (and hopefully not last) 10k so I took my time and ran with him the whole way and walked when he walked.
Overall it was a great day out and Bupa spares no expense on their events. Well worth the additional money you pay for one of their events as opposed to others. Lots of toilets (always important), loads of runners, loads of supporters, well marked, well organised with a great goody bag and a quality-feel medal (I love the medals!).
If you’ve never done the Bupa London 10000 before then I seriously recommend you register for the 2011 event because you won’t regret it. I got my personal for a 10k at the 2009 event so I’d give it a high personal best potential rating (I mean, if I can do it then so can everyone else!).
I previously mentioned that a work contact of me managed to get me last-minute entry to this event. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to run with my friend and I as he has been ill the past few days. Frankly, having not been able to complete the marathon because of illness, I can relate. We just told him to stay home and chill out; there are always other events.
My super supportive wifey also came along to cheer us on. She is such a great supporter and she was at the start line as we went by yelling and cheering us on (and even ran beside us for a few metres) and she was at the finish on the Mall to cheer us on again.
I think my friend was quite nervous about the event because the last event he took part in was the Santa Run which was 5k and over off-road terrain. He thought he would make it to about 4k before he needed to take a walking break. Nope. He made it 6.2k before he had to walk the 1st time. Overall, we only stopped to walk 3 times. For his first 10k, that is a fantastic achievement and I think he felt that too.
I tried to explain that 10k is a great distance because it’s over before you know it and you also get that fantastic feeling when you cross the finish line. Whether you’re first or last! (Note: I’ve never been either – yet.)
You can check out our route and split times here:-
Overall a great morning out and a great event. Like I said, if you haven’t done it before then give the Bupa London 10000 a go!
Learn More20 Miles of Fun
Last Updated on Sunday, 18 April 2010 06:34 Written by The Virtual Runner Sunday, 18 April 2010 06:31
Okay, today’s long run wasn’t the greatest. First, let me just say that I have run three times this week and I’ve been running three times each week. I haven’t wanted to do too much, especially with the long runs on Sundays.
I think that I should’ve been running more each week but it’s too late now. Some things that I’ve read said that running should be done on consecutive days and that’s what I’ve been avoiding.
The weekday runs have been okay and they’ve been about 10.5km each time and at a pretty good pace too. I always feel good after having done one.
Today’s long run, different story. I was walking within the first 2 kms due to shinsplints and it just set the mood for the whole run. It really pissed me off and it’s a pretty big blow mentally when all other runs have felt pretty good. I was also using my new pack to carry gels etc and it just didn’t feel right at first. It took miles to get used to it.
I ended up walking loads and avg pace went through the roof compared to the last long run. This long run clocked in at 06:45 min/km! I know that’s an okay pace though and if I finished a whole marathon at that pace I’d be happy, however when you’re actually out there and end up walking all the time it’s really frustrating. I wish I could get over that mental downer.
Here is the summary of the fun run/walk (that’s another thing, I’m tired of calling my “runs” a “run/walk”. Before I started doing all of this marathon training I actually did “run” the whole time, just like my mid-week runs):-
You can also view it here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30464687
So, if I was to finish the marathon at a pace of 06:45 min/km that would be a finish time of 4 hours and 44 minutes. Who would be dissapointed with that as their first marathon time? Not me! So, why the upset with these long runs and all the walking? I think because in my head: I’m supposed to be running.
Tapering begins now. That means the mid-week runs will remain the same but long runs will get gradually smaller up until the marathon. This next long run will be 15 miles (24km), so still pretty long but manageable. The following Sunday will be 10 miles (16km) and then the Sunday after that is the Fredericton Marathon in Canada.
And, most important for last, I’d like to thank my lovely wifey for being so suportive even when I’m a miserable bastard after having what I felt was a crap run. She’s good.
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