The Journey - (almost) at the Finish line

Is it a half (or a full) marathon? It's very likely to be an ultra....

Unlike most 'races' I have prepared for - 'THE one' in 2015 is one that has an undetermined finish (although at 40 weeks+, I am almost there).

Mantras, Nutrition, Visualisation and warm-up exercises are the norms for a runner training to get the finishing medal.

With this one - the 'medal' will be big and heavy, with long lasting effects!

In this blog, I've very often referred to my 2 regular courses that help me in bigger races ahead:
1. Richmond Parkrun - 5km's on hilly terrain
2. Wokingham Half marathon - first one in the year, rain or shine.

This year, I've been behind the scenes in both - seeing the ones that come in first, a sense of achievement, and those who just get around, grateful to have completed the course.

My 2015 challenge isn't one that will be determined by a Personal Best (yes of course it will be my first), or there will be any prizes for getting there the perfect way.

My Asics GT-2000 (since Autumn 2014) have only gone through a 10k at its max, but with bump in tow - we have been places. Mule trails on the Greek volcanic island of Santorini,

on a yacht in Oslo Harbour, to my first training ground for Paris Marathon (Regent's Park and Primrose Hill)

My load increasing with every step I take, and yet my midwife advises , "you will stop when your body tells you to stop".

so there we go. The only 'race' I signed up this year - the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge on Wednesday 8th July at Battersea Park. 

My 8th entry (out of 9 years in London) - again a very familiar 5.6km course. With the option of running or walking - which suits me perfectly at 34 weeks. I chose "Walk" with a conservative estimated finish time of 70 minutes (probably same as my first ever 9-10k over Sydney Harbour Bridge (main objective was to be on the bridge to take pictures) - so all back to square one, with minimal training, and starting off with my first 'proper' Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand t-shirt (the logo wasn't ready for last year's entries as the merger was still to be finalised).

It's great to report that I had friends along the way. I had an old friend who started with me (who had a 10k race lined up for the coming sunday), which I encouraged for her to take off, as it became increasing hard for me to pick or maintain speed in the first kilometre when the crowd was at their most energetic state. 

As I slowed, I looked around and spotted another familiar face at JPMCC, walking with a backpack! I said hello, and glad to find out that she was also on my journey (2 trimesters behind), so we took the time walking the course.

I remembered the journey over this route in the last 7 years, rain, or shine, the years when I rushed to the start, or when it was very hot, or when it was totally pouring and the course was muddy. We were encouraged by the marshals at an easy pace, took time at the drink stations and enjoyed.

The course became flatter and smoother as we approached the end of 4kms, my legs were warmed up and I had an urge to run. I said goodbye to my mate and thought I would give it a go.

The last 1.7km, which usually involves going around a playing field, almost felt like a 'Forrest Gump' moment when he broke free of his crutches. I'd like to believe, but not quite.

I picked up speed, altering my running stance as I go (as I have been doing in my last attempts in the previous month to take hold of the increasing load). 

I felt the cheering in the background as I passed more 'able' runners who were not dashing for the finishing line.

My breathing felt good, although my right knee was starting to give a little. 

I tried to imagine going for it as I would in my old days (although in previous attempts I would be exhausted at this point), which taking into account how fast I can *actually* go....

I held on....didn't slow down, and reeled in the finish line. 

The text came on my mobile. 00:58.42. Wow...a sub-1! I was proud of myself.

My friend who was with me at the start greeted me at the finish - I was grateful for her hanging around to meet me there!

So - another proud finisher t-shirt to add to my collection, and this one will be going to the bag with me soon as I approach THE big day.

and of course, visualising the memories of the last 1.6km at Battersea Park on that sunny afternoon in July this year.

The Journey 2015 - right from the beginning (Wokingham the 4th time round)

The typical February weekend finds me at Wokingham, for the start of the year's running season, and 2015 is no exception.

Wokingham Half Marathon is a 'fast, flat course' and I have done this in 2011, 2012, 2013... 2014 it was cancelled due to the floods, so our entries were carried over to 2015.

It's a race that 'has become like a Parkrun' due to my familiarity of the course, and having done it in rain and shine (the muddy shoes at the finish). A mantra for the days when I hesitate to go out for a long run - that 'I've completed the 13.1 mile at Wokingham whilst raining throughout, nothing can stop me'.

This year, I have special privileges.

I have a special parking pass, which I placed on the dashboard, and walked around 300 metres to the start, upstairs into the building.

This year, I am a race official - a marshal for the Wokingham Half Marathon.

We worked in pairs, and I teamed up with Mark, a veteran marshal on the course (but not a veteran finisher of the course like myself) - together we gathered the space blankets, the high viz jackets, a set of instructions, as well as my backpack with thermos and a paper bag of official snacks, a director's chair - we boarded the van that would take us to our marshalling point, just off the first mile of the course - a strategic location as we will see the runners start and return.

"So why am I not running today?" he asked.

He would be one of the very first people to be let in on the secret! I was in my first trimester of pregnancy and didn't want to take any risks. Another 'benefit' of being a marshal this year was that you get automatic entry into the 2016 race - which means a deferral without an extra fee. Who knows what next year might lead me, but at least it is in the calendar.

Being a marshal and speaking to Mark made me appreciate the work that's been done behind the scenes. Most of these marshals are sourced from local charities, and these men and women give up their 3 hours on a wintry sunday morning to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Interesting observations that I hope to take into my future training (whenever that might be)...
- The keen runners actually run up to mile 1 as a warm up before the race starts (thats 2 extra miles on top of a 13.1!) (well it's nothing, I still remember passing Liz Yelling doing bonus miles after she's completed and won the Half one year)
- the ones that finish earlier return to mile 12 with a more refreshed look than the later finishers who seem to be walking and looking tired.

It's a local race, and the atmosphere was great. Kiddies supporting their parents, or neighbours pouring out to the streets to cheer everyone on. I had my colleague to cheer on as well - having previously told no one that I'm not doing the race...she was a little surprised when I called her name on the way out at mile 1. Its always good spotting someone you know amongst the runners.

It's so much 'easier' being a runner, to be on the course for a time that you can sustain, and be rewarded with honour afterwards. Ladies with medals returning to their families and the pram with their little one , smiling with pride on finishing in good time - could that be me next year?

This marshalling experience will encourage me to say my Thank You to all those who helped. After 3 hours + standing there, we were picked up by the van (luckily containing no runners) and drove into the finish....following the very last runner of the race, as the clock ticked 3:00:00.

What will this year hold for me in terms of staying active? It was still early days in February, and one needs a crystal ball to be only able to imagine....

The Perfect Pace

It's the start of the second month of 2015, and I have taken on again the role of a volunteer Pacer at Richmond Park on a saturday morning.

(That is to absolutely prevent myself with the excuse of 'oversleeping' - the first time it happened ever last week from making my now sometimes only exercise of the week!)

This time I have been 'promoted' to be able to select from a range of times , sub-40, sub-35, sub-30 and sub-27:30. Glad I wasn't forced to pace at 35, and was almost tempted to do sub 27:30. But logic overruled and I chose what I am most recently comfortable with - sub-30.

Thinking I was unique, I headed to the starting line, only to see another (older) guy with the same bib on, he was chaperoning a boy half his height. 

"We are going to stay close to each other" I said.

"I did 29:50 last week that's why I'm pacing sub-30 today" he replied.

I started next to him, quite close to all of the starters, and as usual, I let every one (even Miss sub-35 pacer!) get their adrenalin out of the way and take my pace slowly up the muddy patch, towards the not-yet-set-up finishing point, and a left down the middle of Richmond Park.

A clear saturday morning, and I am so glad to be out there. No deers that I saw this morning, but quite a few people on tripods. as usual, some prams (with a 2 year old girl with a dummy), the owner with the Jack Russell, and a group of teenagers were amongst us, weaving in and out..

This clearly wasn't a session to target my PB, but I took the relative tranquility and the mindset of maintaining the pace, and not chasing it, as I reflected in the first kilometre of the run, the Runner's World article on pacing your best 5K - which states that to race a good 5km (or 3.1 miles), your first mile has to be 6% faster than your average pace...(so not even pace, and definitely not negative split!)

I could occasionally hear Runkeeper blaring away in the distance, after 1 km, it was saying 5:something per kilometre - my mind said 'you are going too fast' and I slowed....typical before rounding the first corner...and just like my first time as a pacer, someone started talking to me:

Mr Orange Jacket : Are you on target?

Me: Yes ...pretty much

....basically Mr Orange Jacket is a regular 30 minute Parkrunner - he identified Mr Grey-Hair-in white top (aged 70) is his 'peer'...last week (grey hair) beat him (orange) and when usually the overtaking takes place..

I Thanked him for the insight, and Congratulated him for being able to identify friends within the group.

The second and third quarters of the race....I had my sub-30 colleague within 3 footlengths, and kept to that. Enjoyed my workout and the slow climb....the times I have replayed this scene in the last 5kms of a marathon (if I can do it in Richmond Parkrun in 30 mins...I am therefore 30 minutes to home)..never have I been at such peace with my pace - even breathing, not rushing to stop...

As Runkeeper made the 4km announcement...I saw Mr Grey-hair-70-year-old stop. (Oh no! I thought, like Mr Orange said, maybe today isnt his day?) I didn't hesitate to encourage him...."go on, you are almost there!!" It turns out he was just taking a break (by the lake- near the starting point), he picked up speed, and got me to go on....so he was more qualified as a pacer than I am! We both picked up speed...my stopwatch was starting to say 27 minutes something,... I let him go ahead of me, also waved the pram ahead of me (no jogging on the spot for 2 minutes like last time though!), and ran up to the funnel...

I stopped my stopwatch. 29:45

I stopped Runkeeper. 30:00 (spot on!)

My official results from Parkrun 29:59

This is the perfect pace. For the first time ever I have landed a perfect sub-30! I nailed the pace!

Very glad to have also spoken to another lady who was trying to chase me but fell short - after scanning her barcode I passed her 'the tricks of the trade' - what I have written above.

One of the joys of being a pacer is the opportunity to encourage and motivate. I may not be the fastest runner but it absolutely warms my heart to be able to share experiences, and encourage people to do better each week, and that is what Parkrun is all about.

Route today on runkeeper

http://runkeeper.com/user/bontotry/route/3648658

A brief rest now, and for another backstage job on the course tomorrow...

This year I am taking a break from competitive running and working more behind the scenes, in preparation for greater challenges ahead.

Get off that couch!

The first month of 2015 is almost gone - life has been a bit of a whirlwind, with year end closed and a bit of time again to get ready for a year of renewed focus. First of all, to start the year with a spur-of-the-moment entry in my Toastmasters Club Speech Competition, which, despite not having brought home the coveted Cup, have motivated and inspired a few to admire and maybe do the same, and get off the couch! Sharing my written version below with you all, Hope to keep on inspiring as I have done with this blog and my previous running entries.

Happy Start of the 2015 Spring Running Season for those with races in their calendars! :)

Post by Riverside Communicators.

Do you think you can run a marathon? 

Do you think you can run from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, in a couple of hours, and arrive at the finishing line in 1 piece?

I’d never thought I could do that. 

I’ve never got through the Athletics heats at school and was never a sporty person.

I was only forced to take an interest in Marathons when I started going out with a marathon runner, and supporting him is harder than running one yourself. At the Paris Marathon expo, I registered my mobile for alerts, which will send me a text message when he reaches the 20km and 30 km mark. 

Saw him off at the start, got to the 25km mark with lots of time to spare, surveyed where I would stand on the course, and went to the nearest café for a croissant and a coffee. Beep! Came the text, I got my bill, eased into position and snap snap, got 2 nice close up pictures of my runner, then hop onto the metro, for the 31km spot at the Trocadero. 

Having had to change trains twice, the 30km text came just as I was getting out of the station. I had missed him – so had to run to the finish myself.

So the following year, 6 of my friends decided to sign up for Paris –was I going to wait around for all of them to come through the finish? If you can’t beat them, join them…hence my number 1 tip to be able to do a marathon: Just Sign up first!

I had 6 months to prepare. They say, you cannot miss any of your weekly long runs, and build on no more than 10% increase in distance each time, so that you can one day complete the full distance.  Regardless of how much running I did during the week, every Saturday morning I was up for my long run, the pressure was off as I was meant to go really slow….I enjoyed myself, getting to know more and more of the Thames Path as the weeks go on, but one day, I learnt the real reason why I was out there doing all these miles. After going for what must be 3 hours, I flew over a tree trunk and fell on my hands without gloves. The shock totally woke me up!  It really taught me to: Do all your long runs properly, and do not fall asleep!

With less than 4 months to go in the New Year – I came to realize that I have never even done a half marathon– how can you do a full then? Watford was the logical choice, being on the 1^st February and on the Metropolitan line. Unfortunately it was a very cold day, I thought it was best to rug up with a long sleeved running top, a fleece top, AND another jacket. A bandana to cover my nose, and also a beanie – I looked more like a bandit than a runner. Well I was more than equipped for a ‘rewarding course in country lanes with undulating hills’! 

My water bottle fell off the belt, and I was almost trampled at the start. I soldiered on and my felt my vision getting blurry, because it started snowing and little wisps of it was landing on my eyelashes! I almost felt lucky that I have so many layers on, until the second half of the race, I was getting warm and sweaty, and had to choose between stripping everything off and littering the countryside, or carrying them around with me. I kept them on, but ended up getting a headache and had to walk at times. Which taught me another lesson – don’t wear too much for a race, you will definitely get warmer!

The Big Day came in April, I felt more than prepared: 

I have one race under my belt, 

done my longest run in 4 hours! 

I have my gloves,

I got rid of that bandit look and 

know that I cannot fall asleep.

I really enjoyed the run around Paris, it’s good to take in the Bastille, the Eiffel tower and the Trocaedro with my camera and on my two feet. I ran at an easy pace, until the last 5 kilometres, when I had to go slowly through the park. A nun offered me a glass of wine, which I gladly accepted and then spat it out as it was warm! That got me to rush to the finishing line in just over 5 hours and luckily, still in one piece!

My first marathon experience taught me not to do anything you haven’t done before on race day (such as accepting red wine from random nuns that appear in a park!) and remember what you learnt from each training session.

But it’s signing up and getting yourself onto the starting line that makes the difference. You are the winner of your own race if you put are willing to put yourself out there.

So move away from that couch…you too can become a marathon runner this year!

The Bandit Look - Watford Half-Marathon (my first!) 1/2/2009

My first Half-Marathon - Watford 2009
My first Marathon - Paris 2009

The Talk Test

The last few months have been crazy,  temperatures have fallen, the miles have slowed, with the exception of the weekends while we were away, a memorable one exploring Bruges' Windmills before breakfast and along the shores of the Rhine at Dusseldorf.

I've had a taster personal training session from my gym recently and those lunges with weights have put me out of action for a week( just like Willpower and Grace), and I'm considering whether to quit the gym..

My latest focus is on improving my speaking skills and rediscovering my creativity, by joining Toastmasters, Riverside Communicators in Twickenham in October.

Ever since joining, I've had the chance to play an active part in the meetings, having already served as Timekeeper and Table Topics Masters (on Guy Fawkes Day!), on
3rd December I earned my first ribbon for giving my first speech, The Ice Breaker.

One of my favourite parts of the speech was the bit about running (of course) - and I suppose the runners amongst us will get the pun!

our love flourished along the shores of the Thames, as he was training for Paris Marathon, I was forced to keep up on the bike...  it wasn't easy. ...    but it was for the long run. 

It was a sunny day on the day of my Icebreaker speech, and feeling cooped up in the office, I had to make an escape at lunch. There wasn't room to practice my speech again, and the only way to not refer to any notes, was just to not have them with me. So off I went into Gunnersbury Park, knowing the speech can only go on for slightly more than 6 minutes (before Timekeeper will turn on the red lights and ring the bell), so I practiced this as I was going around the park,. Twice (the speech, not the Park). It really made me realise what I don't remember, or what I can speak from my heart. So with that bit of fresh air in my lungs, I feel more prepared for that evening.

At that same time I was preparing for my first ever volunteer role at Richmond Parkrun by using that practice as a 'talk test' to be able to run without being breathless whilst carrying out a conversation. As a free event we are supposed to volunteer a few times per year, but since I don't even turn up enough for the 5km first thing on Saturday, I chose a role where I felt comfortable and that some running can still be done - and that was as a pacer on the first saturday of the month.

There were a few 'random' times on the usual bibs, and being out of running for a while, I didn't want to pace at my own target pace of 27:30, instead I opted for a sub 30minute. But when I arrived on this frost morning (0 degrees celsius!) this was the only bib that was left for me to choose!

I haven't ever run at a 35 minute 5km before (especially not in this cold weather!), so even though the other volunteers say I can announce myself as a 32:50, no one will have time to believe me.

It's an unpopular role. Runners at the start line look at me and wish they can be in front of me, only thing I can say is 'see you all at the finish, I hope you don't see me again!'.  I do not want to appear to be walking to discourage other runners merely getting by, so had to stop myself from overtaking anyone.

In preparation I had printed out my run keeper map, and know for the first time the location of the exact kilometre markers. My first kilometre was the most relaxed I've ever done (almost like the start of a weekend marathon long run) - it was a cold day and I cannot help by glancing backwards to see who else was behind me...  there wasn't too many at all. At the end of the second kilometre I did speak to one woman who was aiming at 32ish...  again, being able to carry out the 'Talk test' (not out of breath when talking and running at the same time) -  I was careful to let her go first after- but not sure whether  I did eventually overtook her at any point (hope not).

At the 3rd to 4th kilometre, where the hills usually start in Richmond...  for the very first time I wasn't even out of breath...  I went slow...  but not sure how slow can I ever be (and not walk!)? Again, not many people behind...   

Towards the last 200 metres, I glanced at my watch. only 30 minutes!
I really don't want to do the thing where I've seen pacers do and stop and walk...  so I had to jog on the spot, and do a big big wave of with my back facing runners - hurry up...  you can make it!!!

So I must've done that for about a minute...  and got home at 32:15. Luckily still not my personal 'worst' at Parkrun (the worst time goes to Bedfont Lakes, when I was 10 mins late to the start due to no parking space).

The grass was slowly defrosting after the ordeal...  my poor hubby also doing the same waiting for me (a PB for him the second time this month!), and then I couldn't stop sneezing. Almost for a week!

That's the price of being a volunteer to motivate runners and to sacrifice a better time for myself.
I hope it was worth it in the end, and to get myself talking to more people, to be in an easier pace.

Willpower and Grace

It's one of the moments when you walk in a room and realise that you haven't 'got the memo'.

I was prepared as any attendee to a yoga/body balance class in a gym would: black tights, no socks, trainers on, a towel....but a runner's short sleeve shirt. FINISHER, it boasted, from the latest jp Morgan corporate challenge.

Everyone was wearing black singlets, black tights.

Instructor welcomed me, and asked me to stand to the right hand side (inner side) as I was new, and asked for my name. Take my 'muddy' shoes outside and come back only with the towel and water.

The other 2 girls, relatively newbies: Tatiana and Polly smiled and relaxed me as we waited for the class to fill up. 7 in total.

The word of the day, on the mirror is DEPTH - as they say on the site: to do something
In depth, you need to work hard.

And thats what instructor repeatedly said, if you are not trying hard, you are not in my class!

But Bonnie, since you are new, you can put your hands on your waist! (while others hold them above their heads in various manoeuvres)

This class certainly has it's standards, and I'm not sure how long my concessions will last for if I come back another week!

The first exercises were some sole awakening. Lift and drop toes, roll feet from side to side. Highly recommended for runners! I love the way my feet felt against the new re engineered wooded floors, unlike the normal dance studio at a gym.

Then it got more intense, but not unmanageable. With music, core strengthening, dynamic plank. Yes, I have been there before, but not that long.
It felt good, towards the middle of the class I was sweating!
My heels were free of pain on those arches, a new experience since my last Pilates class when I was in full running training mode and had struggled with balance.


Another encouraging word from Polly during the water cooler break, that's why she kept coming back!

It's such a supportive environment, and a good stretch, almost as good as a (Thai) massage. I feel activated, and hopefully another slot in Thursdays calendar to improve my gym attendance rates!

Willpower is what everyone needs to have to succeed. Not everyone is born with Grace..and perhaps with a bit of persistence, it can be learnt!

Video of the type of exercises involved:
http://youtu.be/OuHVVyNQQes

The DOMS for the Willpower and Grace class (on further research, a proper method of conditioning), came on the next day, when my whole body ached as if I'd finished a half marathon the day before! It was so bad I skipped my Saturday Richmond parkrun for fear of a below par time as I've been building up since the 10k.

The lesson? Need to keep stretching and exert willpower, and those barefoot exercises, and you will carry yourself with Grace.



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EMC Million Makers 10k

It was a perfect day for racing. Cooler temperatures, no rain.

The runners on our floor sat excitedly at their desks, still chewing on last year's stats, if it were to indicate this year's success, and last minute tips on race strategy, nutrition and estimated time.

Glad to have had a breather and a sneak peak at Race Central by marshalling at the 12pm race (there were 3 times: 12, 15:30 and 18). It was a long walk up from the office to the start, and luckily I brought my brompton bike along to save my legs from walking up and down the park, to and from the marshalling points.

I managed to secure a 'complicated' marshal point, a t junction where the 5k/10ks would turn left/right to complete their 2 or 4 loops around the left, or right of the park to the finish. (The 10k runners run the first route of the 5k route anticlockwise)

Sounds complicated, but as I found out later as a runner, it was ok and minimal chance of collision!

I had a good time supporting the lunchtime runners, along with a supporter who 'paid for them to run for him' :) here's pictures of the fastest female and male. Love the running style, long strides








Both feet of the ground at the same time!










I also had fun watching the myriad of lunchtime normal activity in this park: the fitness training (squats, burpees, laps) & the furry friends! It's good to take a breath of fresh air at lunch!







I signed off my post as most of the 10k runners have been through -was expecting some more, but later realised they'd made an 'executive decision' to get ready for the ice bucket challenge, saving some showering after a 5k??







Rollforward to 5:30pm. Energy levels waning, a coffee, spoons of honey and a nutrigraim bar later- I was out onto the start line with my fellow runners. It was good chatting to quite a few of the runners at the start, colleagues I've never met, some from last year (who remembered me as 'being quite fast'!) and checking from the little sticker on our bib whether we were a 5k-er or 10k-er.

A storage tent. An organiser's gazebo - it was the friendliest race I have been to.

Off to the start! I picked up on the advice of 'breathing every 4 steps for a 10k', and starting playing the 4/4 time standard, Miles Davis's 'All Blues' in my head... As always, the first kilometre was too fast! But as I overtook the fancy dress Gorillas, I ran the long uphill on the big loop, regulating my breathing and trying to stay calm and not 'hit the wall'.

'Would you like a drink of water Bonnie?' Personalised service at the drinks station, how can I refuse? Very conscious of the small race numbers (77in total and half at the 1800), I spent my first 5km staying on pace, taking advantage of any downhill whenever I can. During this time, I overtook this guy and girl and when I went round lap 2, I saw that the girl was gone and 'mr. Green' shot past me on an inner tangent, and was impossible to catch up.

So, it seems. 10kers pairing up with a slower 5ker - what a good way to induce negative splits!

But the humble me didn't have enough in the tank to spur my fellow male runners on when I overtook them. I just let them be - and pictured the nitro boost happening anytime...just anytime. You never know.

How many 16-bar sets of All Blues have I gone through...the faint murmur of runkeepers 'current pace: 9 minute twenty...per mile' kept me focused. My strategy at Parkrun last week...latch on, reel them in. But where were those to reel in? My only, only chance came in lap 2 after mr Green disappeared, was to go after mr navy blue.

I spotted him (the only aspiration for approximate a 3 minute aka 0.3mile distance since the 2nd drinks station at 6km)..and used the gravity of the downhill again to let my legs go. Kept a safe distance. A pain in my rib cage, a bit of a stretch. Tempo. Tempo.


The km markers disappeared, and I really couldn't care. I was more interested in testing out the reeling strategy. I picked up my stride, kicked back more, breathed harder, replayed the downhill speed up when I took down mr green and blue girl...but me navy was still in the distance. Closer. But still not close enough. The imagery of passing through mr white shirt at 5k, and the 'ghosts' of miss white vest from last week, spurred me on harder.

I passed my marshalling point at 12pm, and knew it was the rough bumpy batch on the Tarmac before the uphill grass finish. I jumped a little bit, my back started aching, my stomach aching, will I be able to do it, am I going to catch him in the barricaded area? ? Are we actually going against the same placings???

I let him go. With 2 metres of a distance apart, 6 seconds apart. They called my time. 55:08 for a 10k, witnessed by a few supporters, and a final lap (to me) as exciting as a Mo Farah in the 10,000metres in 2012...a very close shave.

Is it really a PB? A properly measured (not certified) course, with an uncalibrated runkeeper GPS. I just love these almost perfect splits!!


The day after I was overjoyed to do a bit of quick analysis on the results spreadsheet. I was the 4th fastest female in the 10K category! 'Once again' in the Top 5 (this for someone who never made it through athletics heats in school). Only here I get such a chance. You think, 'what if' ? Looking at all the finishing distances and times, analysing the circumstances, The results and dynamics would be all so different if we'd all ran at the same time...

Which is why I love distance running - you run your own race, and the 5k and 10k is totally a different game. Compare same runners year on year on different distances, yield different results. A year older, a year wiser? Or 4 quarters more weary?
Time has told, and may/will only tell again.

Donations? Please visit my just giving page:
http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Bonnie-WongEMC

Thanks to David Koffler, you can find official photo's of the event here
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