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Some of you will know that I have been feeling that I’m not running as well as  I was last year and that I started my training in not such a strong place

My parkrun times seem to be consistently getting slower and this Saturday parkrun at 34.44 Was probably one of my slowest ever, my legs were hurting, and my right leg foot feel misshaped somehow as if the inside of my leg had shrunk and I was running on it lopsided somehow with my foot curling up.  I walked several times I experienced a twinge in my left leg and my blooming aching left hip which had not ached for weeks seemed to be saying “hello, I’m still here don’t get carried away, you’re not 20 anymore!”

I wasnt feeling confident of a good run at the Brass Monkey but although I was saying that it was just a training run for me, I wanted to use it as a measure of where I am in my fitness and training. How much slower am I really, what does my body feel like running that kind of distance. Now you can still read last year’s report at http://morekayslondonmarathonchatter.blogspot.com/ week 3,  where I took you through mile by mile to my PB of 2.12.04. I was expecting a similar race story but a slower time this year.

But here is how my race felt

Mile one – nine

Initially my legs ached a little but not too bad, I went off at a good pace but didn’t allow myself to get carried away, Though I was worried  when for  a while I kept with Vikki. I spotted a HPH vest in front, Rona and ran till I caught her, I spotted Gill from Kirkstall and ran till I caught her, I spotted another HPH, Geoff and caught him,  I had my gel then  spotted the girls from Eccleshill so kept going till I caught them . . . I took my gloves off, my hands got cold I put my gloves on my hands got warm, off , on all the way round . .!

Mile nine and half to twelve and a half

I wanted to walk – I didn’t, I spotted two more HPH vests, Zoe and Russell I began to do the maths, a new Brass Monkey PB was looking very promising and IF I could keep sub 10min mile going possibly a new Half Marathon PB, I caught Zoe and Russell and kept going but with no one I recognised ahead my pace slowed, plus I had forgotten to allow for the two little hills at the end.

Mile twelve and half to 13.1

Before I knew it I could see the race course and the wonderful Paul Sanderson who runs back to support us all in. I just couldn’t quite summon up enough drive in my legs to break 2.09 but I did knock 1 min 11 seconds off last years brass Monkey for a 2.10.53 finish.

Now the Brass Monkey would not be complete without stopping off at the Fox and Grapes for dinner afterwards with 25-30+ HPH runners and supporters, it was great to catch up with everyone and listen to their races but as my legs started to stiffen I wondered how I was going to do my last session of the week, winterswim round 5. But having rearranged my Saturday to try fit in with someone else schedule Adele and I had no choice but to do the swim this afternoon otherwise we would miss the round!  Strangely it was my arms that felt more tired than my legs.  Swim done and some ten hours after I left I arrived back home

Dutifully I check facebook and smiled at all the ace reports and stories from HPH and other running buddies, I updated my Jantastic runs, 5 runs done for the week, entered our winterswim times and had a quick check of the results and guess what?

 I’m back to being ranked number one! Now I ‘m sure by morning it will have changed but if your quick you can check it out at http://www.winterswim.co.uk/winterswim_2010.php?sort=tot_rank_asc&round=5

Just one thing left to do before I drift off to sleep . . . . enjoy my  Yorkie Bar, ok so it’s not for girls but I’m not just a girl . . . .

 . . . .  I am a Hyde Park Harrier Girl and together we can tackle any race and any chocolate bar going!