Leeds 10k

Well, Leeds 10k was yesterday and I am recovering nicely now.

I arrived early to soak up the atmosphere that had made it such a good race last year... only to be told I wasn't allowed in Millenium Gardens where the warm up was because I had a green number. So the atmosphere wasn't nearly as good as last year. I had taken an energy drink to have just before the race started, but the distinct lack of toilets meant that I had to dump it virtually untouched. I put myself in the sub 45 starting pen in the hope that I would achieve my target time.

The start was much faster this year, but I set off too quickly - again! Not as fast as usual, but still too fast. There were no km markers too so I was glad for my Garmin. Meanwood Road was more undulating than I remembered and the little hills sapped my energy. By about 7km I was starting to struggle and the hill back up to the Headrow was baaaad. I managed to choke on some water and spill it all down myself too.

As I approached the last km I knew I didn't have the energy to achieve my time and the wind through the centre of town was awful. I finished in about 47 mins and grabbed my t-shirt. Totally forgot to hand my chip in and had to go back!

Little madam was there to watch which was nice as she hasn't seen the beginning and end of a race before.

My official time was 47:09 which is one second slower than my pb. But I was 19th woman in the open category (18-40) and 323rd overall out of 11000 runners so I am pleased about that! The course was also long (10.36km). I did overtake Tracey Morris too!!

Splits and heart rates:
1. 4:13:22 160 bpm
2. 4:25:72 172 bpm
3. 4:34:61 177 bpm
4. 4:17:64 176 bpm
5. 4:38:88 180 bpm
6. 4:33:87 180 bpm
7. 4:35:51 179 bpm
8. 4:37:18 179 bpm
9. 4:57:54 178 bpm
10. 4:42:10 181 bpm
+ 1:34:83 182 bpm