​Lincoln 10k is an event I always look forward too – my hometown 10k means there are constantly lots of friends I know taking on the challenge, both from my running circles and wider connections across the city. It was also my first ever running event back in 2013 and I have not missed one since. The fact the race was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic made this year’s event feel even more exciting.

My excitement to have the 10k back was however slightly tainted by the fact in the months preceding I had been battling with an Achilles injury which had meant my running miles had been few and far between. As the weeks of injury ticked along, the ‘Lincoln 10k’ written on my calendar loomed closer, but I remained hopeful I could make the start line. My dedication to rehab paid dividend and I was delighted a few weeks before race day when my Sports Therapist said I would be able to complete the event. I was under no illusion that I would be quick, or challenging a PB, or any similar notion, but to know I could be there running with friends around my City felt fantastic.

Usually, the Lincoln 10k is held in Spring, and the weather tends to be cool and crisp (if you ignore the year it got postponed due to snow and was then held in a June heatwave…). With a Covid shuffle, this year’s October date instead greeted us with a wild and wet morning, which only proved to become increasingly wetter as the morning progressed. The forecast had not been great, so I had at least prepared for this weather. At our final Run Club session pre the 10k I had advised fellow members taking on the race to bring an old jumper and bin bag to the start line to try and keep warm and dry before running. A few of them seemed to think I was mad, but as I met up with my club on race morning, I was pleased to see a bin bag wearing crew huddled under the vague shelter of some trees. I had walked to the race start with my sister who was visiting to take on the event too, and whilst it was only a steady rain when we set off, as the time ticked by the droplets became increasingly heavier and the wind even stronger.

By the time we were stood in the start pen the weather can only be described as truly grim. Despite this fact, I was excited to start running; I felt no pressure, even less so in the conditions, and my only thought was to enjoy running again. If I could get sub 50 minutes, I would be happy, and if my legs made it through 6 miles, I would be even happier, as I had not ran that far since July.

As soon as I stared running, I felt such joy; for moments I almost forgot about the cold rain pelting my skin and the puddles instantly soaking my feet. I know the 10k route like the back of my hand, so had no need to contemplate the course, I also felt no desire to look at my watch either; I simply wanted to run to feel and just see what my body was capable of. The first few miles just flew by, several people I knew in the hardy crowd braving the rain to spectate cheered my name, and I knew my smile was beaming. Halfway came before I knew it; I felt good still, keeping amongst a similar crowd of runners and showing no sign of my legs giving up on me.

During the final three miles the weather deteriorated even further, if that was possible. The roads became flooded in places and the wind seemed more noticeable into my face. I still could not believe how well I was running though; I felt really fit and my legs were still moving at a good pace, perhaps just lacking that power I know I used to feel when running quicker 10k times. I was certainly happy though.

As I entered the final mile I realised I was catching up with my sister, who had been in my eyesight throughout the race, but I now seemed to be closing in on her. Turning to enter the long road to the finish, which very gradually inclines, I was just about to catch her up, when she pulled up at the side of the road next to me. I instantly shouted to her asking what was wrong. She had a stitch which was making running very painful. With less than a mile to go there was no way I was letting her stop nor was I going to leave her. I urged her on with me, and we ran side by side heading towards the finish line, as I relayed words of encouragement/distraction to keep her going. It was this final mile I feared may be the point where I blew up, my legs not used to working so hard for so long. I was ok though, and as we turned by the famous Lincoln Cathedral to head towards the finishing arch, I urged my sister into a sprint finish. She had the legs on me now (there are some great photos of me chasing her down in the finish straight!) but I did still have some sprint left. It was only when I finished that I actually looked at my watch – I had not glanced at it at all during the race. 45:11 it read. My sister finished a second ahead of me. 
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I was absolutely soaked as I stood at the finish with my sister, absorbing not just more water into my saturated clothing, but also what I had just achieved. I did not expect to run a time close to 45 minutes, nor to feel as comfortable as I did in the process. My fitness pleased me; I have been working hard even during periods when I have not been able to run to maintain my fitness, cycling and spinning constantly over the weeks. This race was a real indication to me that this dedication has paid off and left me with a good platform to continue to build from.

Post-race the weather showed no sign of letting up; I took off my drenched gloves (I ran in a rather strange combination of shorts, vest and gloves..!) and literally wrung them out, water pouring from them. The heavens opened fully as I collected my medal and I felt for all the people still out on the course. The fact so many of us turned out in this weather to run I think shows just how much events like the 10k mean to people, and just how important running is. It was good to be back in many senses. ​

Long time no blog (again!) – but this time less due to lack of inspiration to write about running (or lack of running as was previously the case!), but more due to life and work just being busier, which has been nice to embrace after we all know what some of the challenges of the last year have been like. Indeed, quite a lot has progressed since I last wrote in the Summer, including my age. I am now a new member of the SW 30-34 age group at parkrun and a year closer to maybe a slightly more realistic Boston Marathon qualifying time…! My running progress has been the most positive change though, and I feel like I am making large strides in my comeback from my Achilles injury.

Running wise, I am now at the point where I am back running three times a week, with a shorter faster effort run, a 4-5 mile easy run, and a Sunday ‘long’ run starting at a base point of 5 miles. Its nothing like what I was running preinjury, but it’s a huge step forward from the Summer when I was only able to run/walk for a few minutes. I have built back cautiously and gradually, and I listen carefully to my body even more so that I did before. I still am Spinning a couple of times a week to maintain my fitness and keep intensity in my training, as well as doing strength and rehab work. So whilst my running is not back to what it was pre injury, and I would say my dedication to training is still the same; training just looks slightly different at the moment.

I look back to when my Achilles injury first hit and I was not even able to walk without pain, barely able to stand up on tiptoe, and my Achilles was visibly enlarged with a huge bump on it – a lot has changed! I must thank my Sport Therapist for her guidance in getting me through the past months, her reassurance and knowledge has been invaluable. I am also proud of how I have coped – if someone had told me I would spend what has now been over 16 weeks injured and not able to run to my full ability, I think I would have feared for my sanity. But I have made it through – and I am also still aware I am most definitely not fully recovered yet, which is just as important.

So, what have I been doing with my new found ability to run? I have returned to my running club, which has been great to reconnect with friends again, and I have been able to both lead and participate in a few sessions. I have managed my first solo (without my little running buddy) parkrun since March 2020 at my home event in Lincoln. This felt hard but wonderful at the same time, and was the first time I had been able to run with speed and whilst pushing myself for many months. I managed 22:34, which when I set myself a goal of sub 24 minutes, I was extremely pleased with. It’s a long way from my old parkrun times, which tended to hover in the 20:50 – 21:20 bracket, but its not a bad start!

​Outside of my solo parkrun effort, I have continued to enjoy weekly Lincoln parkruns with my mini running buddy, who himself has progressed considerably. He has reached his 10 milestone, marking this achievement with an equally impressive PB of 36:14 – considering on one run we logged a time of 1hr 10mins, I am incredibly proud of him.

I was even more proud when his mother told me my buddy has been talking about his running technique at home – “Alice says I need to use my arms when I am running”– so he must be taking some of my mentoring in! parkrun has taken a new meaning for me having my buddy to accompany around the course, but I am really enjoying it, and I hope that the collective parkrun community is helping to instil both a love for parkrun and running into him.

Perhaps most significantly since I last wrote, I have run an actual race - the Lincoln 10k. I wrote last time that I hoped I would be able to take part my hometown 10k event, and I am so pleased I did, despite the truly horrendous weather on race day. I will write more on this, but I completely surpassed my expectations on the day. I hoped to be under 50 minutes as a start point, and I hoped my legs would make six miles having not ran that far since July. I was therefore delighted to finish in 45:11, without pain, and loving every single stride that I took. I have Doncaster 10k booked at the end of November, and my performance at the Lincoln 10k has given me confidence I can try aim for a sub 45 minute time here, as long as things continue to go well.

My focus for the rest of 2020 is still very much a gradual rebuild, that has not changed, but my progress over the past couple of months has given me extra belief I can do this, and that my hard work to build back from my Achilles set back is working – the comeback is on. ​