Before the event I ran the full distance a couple of times, but had mostly focussed on increasing my 5k speed.
On the day of the event it was a cold drizzly morning. We had friends taking part in the other distances; Alison R in the 5k, Claire A in the 2k.
As I was mostly there for moral support, and as it was Clare's 1st taste of an event we hung back and started from near the rear of the pack.
We'd decided that we weren't going to run together as our paces are reasonably different so I started off picking my way through the pack.
I often ride at Alton Water so know the course well, although have only run there once before.
I'd decided not to run with any water and only took some at 1 of the water stations along the course, although as usual I wore more of it than I drank.
At the final kilometer I was still feeling strong so started to push a bit harder than I would normally, managing to catch and pass several people who'd caught me earlier. For the final 100 meters or so I had a flat out sprint with a bloke who I just managed to pip over the line! I've never had that kind of finish before which was very elating; once over the line we shook hands and he bin me "well done".
For my first 10k and having started at the back of the pack I was stunned when I found out I'd placed 30th of 473 overall and 30th of 296 males, with a time of 42m40s.
Clare came 230th overall and was 34th of 177 females, with a time of 53m53s.
We really enjoyed the event and I even got a t-shirt for being one of the top finishers! My first/only prize from an event :)
