Brighton 10 – 2 days to go

Posted: November 14th, 2008 | Author: Mark | Filed under: Events | 1 Comment »

I have no idea if anyone still reads this thing, since my post about the Hampton 10k drew no response and the one about next year’s London 10k only a couple, but anyway – it’s here for a reason and so I should update it.

On Sunday I’ll be running in the Brooks Brighton 10k, an event I was talked into by my boss, a 40-minute 10k-er. I am hoping to do it in 1hr15m, since the Hampton Court race was done in 1hr19 over bumpy, grassy ground. This is flat, on a road, and will be frighteningly cold so I’ll want to get it done quickly. I’m also 10lbs lighter than I was 6 weeks ago, which will no doubt give me a couple minutes benefit. We’ll see.

Anyone following my Twitter will get updates as it happens, as I will probably run with my phone (as I always do, so I can tell my missus when to expect me at the end, although last time I had to run past her waving my arms to get her out of her bored daydreaming).

I will admit, I’m nervous. I’ve been doing a lot of training, but it’s all been body weight exercises and HIIT cardio (on the stationary bike) to strip the fat off me (hence, the 10lbs loss). However, it will also be the first time I have more people on the sidelines cheering me on than friends running with me (even when they zoom ahead), which will be quite cool.

Wifey and I are going down to Brighton tomorrow night to stay with friends (aforementioned cheerleaders), and I will be ferried to the start line which will be nice. Afterwards, a piggy reward meal.

A friend mentioned this week how amazed she was at how I’ve turned my life around this year. You see, 18 months ago I weighed over 20 stone (20 stone 7lbs to be exact), very little of which was muscle. Now, although I have only lost 30lbs in weight, I’ve also gone from over 40% bodyfat to around 24-28% (my readings are inaccurate), so I’ve put on a shitload of muscle.

Running hasn’t done this, but it’s the reason behind it.

I’ll stop now before I get more melancholy and soppy.

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