10k-tastic

This year, April is 10k month.

It kicked off with a very-nearly-10k last Saturday with the East Cliff Easter Quarter Marathon.  I've never raced this precise distance before - it's 10.548 km.  Naomi from work had organised no fewer than 3 OS teams, so 15 of us plus WAGs and children turned out on a bright, cool spring day at Boscombe Pier.  There was a great atmosphere of seasidy expectation.

Off we went... it was the first time that I've raced this distance for ages.  I passed the first mile In about 6:15 which felt about right.  I was steadily overtaking people - almost exclusively club runners. A very simple course - out on the beach promenade, then home on the cliff.

The pacing felt good.  I was really hopping to arrive home in under 40 minutes.  I was looking at my watch as we got closer.... 37, 38 minutes... it's not going to happen... ah, but there'll be a fast downhill bit to the pier... Mrs S and J both told me I had my most awful face on at the finish and I was really working hard, but it was 40:28. Still, that was my first quarter marathon and still early days in terms of returning to racing form.  A thoroughly enjoyable morning out for everyone.