Hugh Wilson Memorial 10k 2010

After missing the Grudge Match last week (Arrived 90 minutes late by accident) I thought that it was time to see if the Monday reps and Wednesday runs have made any impact on my running. Therefore, I decided to give the East Kilbride 10k on Sunday a try on a beautiful sunny but very cold day. This time I made the effort to leave home early enough, only to be stuck in endless roadworks on my way south. I arrived just a few minutes before registration closed. Amazing to see that the Mott family (Andrew, Maria and son) arrived even later! Nerves of steel!

Luckily the start of the race was postponed by ten minutes, so that there was enough time to get the start line before the blow of the whistle. Everything went much too quickly (no time to go to the toilet or get dressed appropriately for the weather (minus degrees)), and we were already on the way. I found a my position among the many Calderglen runners and tried to defend it as much as I could. The route on the cycle path was mainly snow free and running conditions were good. Maybe the turns through the countless underpasses had to be taken a bit more carefully, but this might have been mainly a psychological effect because of the snow cover next to the route.

At the half turn my watch showed 21 minutes, which would give me a time much below my target of 45 minutes. However, the way back was suddenly much more difficult and I started to question why I was spending my afternoon running beside a motorway in the South of Glasgow in arctic conditions. I was woken up out of my dream, when two Calderglen runners passed me maybe one or two kilometers before the finish.
I tried to give my best on the last bit, but just did not manage to catch up with them again. However, I finished in 43:07! Mission accomplished and a PB (first 10k ever :) ). So, Monday reps help!