How I survived London’s Survival of the Fittest 2013

Some time has passed since the last entry to this blog. Here is a retrospect entry to how my running year 2013 ended…

On 16th November 2013 I was one of 10,000 runners taking on Men's Health Survival of the Fittest 10K obstacle race at Battersea Power station in London. As a runner I was not concerned about running 10K, but more about what kind of obstacles I would face. From mud baths, skating parks, mazes and a 5ft wall at the finish line, it was nothing that I had done before. I was excited about the race ahead of me, but instinctively felt trepidation that something bad might happen.

I was due to start at wave 5 at 13:30 with 29 other work colleagues of my office. I was determined to take it easy. My aim was to finish within the 2hrs mark but not to finish last in my wave.
The first obstacle just behind the start line were three sets of hay bales, which I managed to climb easily without any major embarrassment. These were followed by a set of thin board walls, a maze, a swing, a spider net, and many, many more. The track followed on along the Thames promenade to Battersea Park to an outdoor running track. 5K into the run, the next obstacle was a steeplechase. Hurdling not being my best strength and exhausted from the previous 5K, I climbed over the hurdles rather than jumped. Right after the last hurdle was a pool, which looked more like a puddle. I climbed over the hurdle, lost balance and fell into that pool, completely underestimating the depth of it. Immediately, I felt a sharp pain in my left foot. I slowly waddled out of the pool, trying to regain composure and holding back tears of anger and pain. One of the race volunteers came over and asked if I was alright. I was in pain and I couldn't put any weight on my foot, but I was determined to continue the race. 'I'm fine', I mumbled and hopped along, determined to run another 5K. Little did I know what damage I did to my poor foot.

Adrenalin must have kept me going from that point onwards, because I did manage to finish the race at an unbelievable 1:17:42, despite hopping the remainder of it. Still, I climbed more walls, climbed through tunnels and boxes, was hosed down and thankfully was thrown over The Wall at the finish line by a fellow racer. I have to thank all the fellow runners who kept me going and helped me up and down any obstacles I was too scared to face. Despite my pain, I was very proud of my medal as you may see from my finisher's pose.

When I returned home that evening the pain had turned for the worse. I was limping all the way from Battersea back home to Leigh-on-sea. I sensed that my foot wasn't fine at all and couldn't hold back my tears any longer. My boyfriend Robert picked me up from the station that night with crutches in his hands. The next day we went to A&E to have my foot x-rayed. The doctor said to me, 'you'll have to get used to these crutches unfortunately'. The diagnosis was a dislocated fracture of my fifth metatarsal bone on my left foot. This was the end of my running for the year 2013.

When I came back to the hospital on the following Tuesday to have a cast fitted, I was more than shocked to hear that I needed to have surgery to have screws and a metal plate fitted to ensure it would heal properly. I had surgery on Wednesday, 20th November at Southend University Hospital and was released with a cast the next day. I had to keep the cast for another four weeks, before changing into a removable air boot for another two weeks.

The last two months with injury were tough. I've had to battle with frustration and depression. I wouldn't let this be the end of my running, but I knew that a long way of rehabilitation was laying ahead of me. The new year has opened a new chapter of my running experience: rehabilitating from my injury and fighting a long way back to what I miss the most, long distance running.

London's British 10K Run

On Sunday, 14th July, Robert and I ran the British 10K run on behalf of a small charity called PetSavers. PetSavers does some great work dedicated to improving the health of pets and small animals. We've chosen this charity because we love pets and animals need all the support they can get.
So far, we've raised about £145, there is still time to donate. Check out our Just Giving fund raising page: http://www.justgiving.com/doris-runs-for-pets.

Since my half marathon in June I've tried to keep up with my training running and ran about 2-3 times a week, ranging from 5k to 10k runs. I knew I could run a 10k, now I was more concerned about my time. I found myself on a plateau lately, unable to improve my running time.

The weather forecast predicted one of the hottest days in the year with about 30 degrees Celsius, which meant hydration was key. I prepared myself by drinking a lot of water the day before and drinking electrolyte water before the run on the day. I decided to leave my water bottle in my bag as it was promised that enough water was available throughout the course.

When we arrived at Embankment it was already quite hot, about 24 degrees Celsius. We dropped off our bag and met some of our PetSavers team mates. We all made our way to the start line to watch the opening ceremony. The start line was quite a walk away and no toilets were available on the way, which meant many men and women decided to visit the bushes of St. James and Green Park instead.

The race started with about 15mins delay. We were all queued up in front of the start line in the glaring heat, waiting for the countdown to begin. At that point I regretted not having any water on me.
Once we got going I felt fine and didn't mind the heat too much. At about 2.5km we came across the first water station and I gulped down a bottle of water in one go.
The route took us across Trafalgar Square, along Embankment up to Canon Street, back to Westminster where we crossed Westminster bridge; a short sprint up to Victoria and before we ran back to Whitehall were we crossed the finish line.

For the first 6K I felt quite good running along in a steady 7mins/km pace. On the way back towards Embankment I felt the heat getting to me. My legs felt lethargic. On the next water station I poured a water bottle over my head and face to cool myself down, but to no avail. To my disappointment I had to halt to a walk. The last 4K were a combination of run/walks and crossed the finish line at a time of 01:17 (unofficial). Robert finished at an incredible 0:56 mins.

My verdict 4/5

The British 10K has a reputation for being unorganised and that was unfortunately true to some extend. There weren't enough toilets available before and during the run and routes weren't cut off from pedestrians. It was a shame I didn't get to see any of the opening ceremony. I didn't enjoy standing in the glaring heat for 15mins before the race start. However, the bag drop area was well organised and the medals were very pretty (that's where all the money went into).

The route was great and went along many popular sights in central London. The crowd was amazing and carried you all the way along to the finish line.

You can find some more pictures of the race day in my image gallery.

Race review: BHF Regent's Park 10K

Last Saturday Robert and I joined the British Heart Foundation in the Regent's Park 10K run.

After a full week of rain, the weather had mercy on us and the rain kept away for race day. However, the thermostat still only showed a chilly 4 degrees Celsius.

Robert and I arrived at the inner circle of Regent's Park in good time before the race to pick up our timing chips and complementary BHF T-shirts. When we arrived we were surprised to find a long queue in front of the small registration tent. We were told that the timing chips had just arrived and there was a delay in handing them out to the large number of registered runners. After a long back and forth, the organizers decided to hand out random numbers to runners to speed up the process. Consequently, my runner's pseudonym for that day was 'Paul Hilliman' with race number 60809. Once I had my chip and T-shirt, I was slightly worried to see that race organisers had just started to pin down the race track 15mins before race begin. For such a large and popular charity I expected to see better race organisation than that. After all, this run is a hot spot in the annual runner's calendar and attracts a lot of local runners.

However, all frustration was forgotten once we actually got going. Wave two included a fairly large mob of runners, so it took me some time to be able to set into my own race pace.

The race started parallel to the Broadwalk going North to Primrose Hill, followed by a left turn into The Regent's Park Hub and back along the Boating Lake to the starting point on the Broadwalk. The run was set out on pathways but also across water-drenched and muddy grass fields - my Brooks PureDrift shoes definitely needed a good clean after that run! For a 10K, runners had to complete two laps.

I completed my first lap confidently with an overall time of 00:32:15 and an average pace of 7mins/km. After passing the start line for the first lap, I sped up to an unbelievable 06:17 mins/km. Painstakingly, this showed revenge at the last two kilometres where I had to force my legs not to stop and drag myself up the hill to cross the finish line at PB of 01:06:26.
Two friends of mine, Berta and Laura, where waiting for me at the finish line, which sparked a sprint finish. Robert finished again 10 mins before me with an overall time of 0:55:29.

My verdict and overall race score: 3/5
Overall it was a good and flat run, suitable for any type of runner. The organisation was disappointing though. The running route could have been set out better and cut off from pedestrians. With a bit of better preparation and nicer weather, this could have been a worthy spring run.

BHF Regent's Park 10K on 9th March

Robert and I have just signed up to run the Regent's Park 10K on 9th March. This time we have set up a justgiving fund raising page to raise as much money as possible for the British Heart Foundation. Please support us in our aim and donate a few spare pennies or pound towards a good cause! Here is the link to our fundraising page.
Alternatively, if you're feeling you want to join us in the run, sign up too and enter team name 'The Road Runners'. The more, the merrier!

Race review: A tough & muddy but enjoyable 10K

Hadleigh Legacy 2012 10K - Sunday, 27th January

Robert and I before the run

This weekend I've completed my first off-road challenge at the Hadleigh Legacy 2012 run. Despite the terrible weather conditions the week before, the race day started out drizzly and damp but eventually turned into mild, clear blue-sky day with a slight easterly breeze. Just the perfect conditions for a winter run.

Robert and I arrived at Hadleigh Country Park in good time before the race to pick up our race numbers (mine was 299) and have a look around the course. Being prepared for rain or shine, I was nicely wrapped up in three layers of clothes, finger gloves, rain coat and trekking shoes. Many runners decided to go for normal running shoes, but I had a feeling that good, waterproof shoes would be an essential addition to my kit for today's multi-terrain race.

Slowly all 350 runners arrived at the County Park and just before 10:30 everyone was lined up at the start line, jumping and stretching, anxious to wake up their tired muscles for a different kind of endurance test.

Then, the shot gun went off and 700 feet started their move along the gravel and downhill to the mountain bike course. Stretched in between the hills of Hadleigh Park, the race track is tight and windy, making it difficult for runners to keep up a constant pace. It is clear that this won't be a hunt for a new personal best. In between long up-hill stretches we have to climb big rocks, while rewarding down-hill ascends become more of a mud slide. Slaloming through trees, I have to force myself to slow down and catch up with my breath.

The race track was well sign-posted with kilometre marks along the way. However, runners might have been confused seeing a 3km mark at the second lap. The race marshals were very attentive and ever encouraging, claiming that the finish line was just around the corner (I know now that was a lie).

Playing football regularly, Robert build up quite a running stamina and left my side past the third corner. I saw him again once more running past me at the half-way water point. He crossed the finishing line at about 01:08, 10 min before I could call this challenge my own. Climbing out of the mountain bike pit, I paced up the hill back onto the gravel to pass the finish line at 01:18:00. Robert was there to welcome me with a winner's hug and my runner's medal was handed to me.

My verdict and race score: 4/5
This run is nothing for the light-hearted, mud-phobic runners. It is a tough endurance run with long up-hill stretches and steep downhill passes, but indeed very enjoyable for nature lovers. Even though I was worried of the demanding task ahead of me, I'll definitely be there in 2014.

Robert and I at the finish line

My race number and well-deserved medal

Yep, it's been a muddy race

My first run for 2013: Hadleigh Legacy 10K

The first run I've signed up for 2013 is the Hadleigh Legacy 10K on 27th January, organised by Nice Work.

Hadleigh Castle Panorama © Chris Beach, Wikipedia

Date: 27th January 2013
Location: Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Essex SS7 2PP
Time: 10:30
Challenge: Suitable for runners of all standards

This run attracted my attention as is takes place on one of London 2012 Olympic venues, the Mountain Bike Circuit used for the MTB Olympic races. It is an off-road run along the MTB course, footpaths and trails on the grounds of Hadleigh Castle.
As my first off-road challenge ever it will be tough but hopefully enjoyable. Unlike my last 10K, this time I have not followed a set training plan, but continued running twice to three times a week. The cold weather at the moment makes training much harder and proves a touch challenge on my immune system. I hope the snow will be gone by next weekend and I might be able to shed one layer of clothes by the time of my run.

Hadleigh Mountain Bike Course © Teamhadleigh.org

If you feel like you're up for this challenge too, there is still time to enter online at runnersworld.co.uk.