Donny 10k

Hey Guys,

For this race I upped my training and also began to focus more on 10k training, rather than the varied training that I was doing before in order to hone my speed. The training period was semi-successful, my birthday celebrations, which included much beer and two cakes, threw things a bit.

Anyway, I did all the proper preparations for the race, but I had felt some worrying niggles in my knee in the run up to the race, during my taper. So for the race I took paracetamol and just went for it.

The race started really well, I bought a cheap wristwatch with a stopwatch to monitor my time and I was on for a time in the low 40's, running really really strong. The course its self was a nice mix of inclines, declines and flats but as I powered downhill there was a click in my knee followed by a sickening amount of pain. I slowed, but kept going, in agony.

At that moment in time I considered stopping all together and retiring from the race, the pain was unbearable and I still had 3/4 of the race to go. But as I was running, I thought about it all, summed it up, and also thought about my Dad. Suffice to say, it helped to get the adrenaline pumping, the ultimate painkiller.

I ran on, closer to a pace of my first two races and I think I hit a time a bit faster than those two races, though I am awaiting confirmation of the final results. As the 9k sign passed me, I felt a sudden rush of relief as I got towards the end, just looking for the finish and waiting for the pain.

I got across the line, picked up a shirt and a goodie bag before the pain in my knee really hit me. I felt really sick, the pain was horrendous and still is now. It's ITB Syndrome, and i'm not sure how long the injury will persist, but I have 2 more races in the next 3 weeks. So i'm taking it easy, both in the run up to and during those races.

Though, ever looking for new challenges I am considering a triathlon, open water swims, bungee jumping, skydiving, cross country cycling and the three peaks challenge (both Yorkshire and National) for 2013/14

John