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Friday 4 January 2013

My 10K Run For Congo Women

Run for Congo Women logo
On Sunday 3rd June 2012 I took part in my first running event, the 10K Run for Congo Women. Early morning, on that wet and rainy Sunday I made my way to Regent’s Park, via Monkey Gate for the 8am sign-in time. Despite massive travel problems getting into London I made it to The Hub, with relief, by 8.30am. As the race start time approached I felt more nervous — a little excited also — but very nervous. Then I simply thought to myself ‘what’s the worry?’. I was there to run, at my own pace with no pressure and simply to raise money for people in need. I am very pleased to have raised £345 and hope to raise more over the next two months. Thank you to all those who kindly donated!
The race itself was great fun to take part it. It was a rainy, grey day but it didn’t matter one bit. What is one hour of slight discomfort compared to what the women in the Democratic Republic of Congo have gone through? By the time we started it had stopped raining and the drips from the trees helped to stay at a good body temperature in fact! During the run, a slight injury I have in my right foot started to play up so I focussed more on correcting my posture and running style as well as keeping a decent pace. I had set my heart rate monitor stop watch so I could see my lap times and I was doing pretty well, getting similar times for the first two laps (about 16 minutes). The total course was three laps, so in the final lap I was intent on achieving my own personal goal; completing the 10K in under 50 minutes.
I knew not to push it too early, otherwise by legs would fail me on the home straight. I checked the path way ahead of me, that nobody was in the way and just kept on, breathing steadily. Once I turned the corner towards the finish line I gave it all my legs could take, sprinting as fast as I could. I felt a little sick with exertion bur once across the line I was warmly welcomed by my boyfriend, the lovely Jenny Burrell and husband (who did the run also) and the fantastic team at Women for Women International, who organise the race. Thank you for such great support!
It wasn’t until the next day when the times were put online that I knew for sure but I was thrilled to discover that I had run it in under 50 minutes — 49 minutes and 50 seconds!!
If you would like to take part in the next 10K Run for Congo Women, you can find details on how to enterhere!

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