I love Lincoln 10k day - its official. There is something about your hometown run that makes you want to take part even more than normal; yes I could run that route every single day if I wanted to, but its just not the same. I love seeing the streets I train on filled with runners and lined with supporters, and I love seeing the city where I live caught up in the running and race day bubble. The other great thing about being involved in your local event (other than rolling out of bed and casually walking to the start line!) - is that I always know so many people taking on the distance, so its great to support and encourage each other. 

Despite having completed Manchester Marathon the weekend before, which was a particularly physically and mentally demanding race experience, I knew I wanted to run the 10k. In a perfect scenario I wanted the race to be a bit of a comeback after a disappointing marathon. However, I had to be realistic about my capabilities after a mid week run highlighted just how tired my legs were still, on top of the occurrence of knee and hip pain. I like to run a 10k in sub 50 minutes (one day a sub 45 min!), but instead I reasoned with myself that anything under an hour would be acceptable under the circumstances.

​This was my fourth consecutive Lincoln 10k and the weather has always been perfect. Once again, blue skies and glorious sunshine bathed Lincoln's Cathedral as my friend and I walked up to the race start. I was a little nervous; not for once about what time I was going to run, but about whether or not I was going to enjoy the race. I wanted to finish with a smile and be happy, something which I did not achieve at the Manchester Marathon. The last thing I wanted was to run the whole thing in pain, hate every step, and just feel even worse about myself!

The start of the race was very crowded, they seem to be making the starting section narrower each year and its really not a good idea (Run for All please take note!) Due to this I was forced to start slower than normal, before managing to get into a stride. I was pleasantly surprised that my knee and hip seemed silent though, the race adrenaline possibly masking any niggle. My legs felt heavy from the first steps, but this I could live with. 

I am not sure if after a marathon this sounds blatantly obvious, but the distance then seemed to fly by, and I was soon at half way. My pace was reasonably consistent, the heaviness in my legs was a little restrictive, but at this point I felt good. I was running much better than I had expected and possibly could sneak a 50 minute time. 

​Reaching 9k I managed to speed up slightly for the final kilometer. I was a little tentative as my body's collapse in the final stages of the Manchester Marathon was still there in the back of my mind. I know a 10k is not a marathon; but the thoughts and fears were there. Quite timely, I passed the volunteers from Lincoln parkrun who were out in force supporting. I had to smile as the Race Director called out to me, joking that I should try and catch my friend up - I laughed it off knowing full well that was never going to happen (I was right too, as when I found my friend at the finish she had ran a super 47 minute time!) I carried my speed into the finish though, making a real effort to sprint for the line. My time - 51.02. I was so happy. Yes, it was not a sub 50 or anywhere near my own 47 minute PB;  but I had done it and I had enjoyed it. It just felt so good to be running happy again.

I had my medal engraved with my finish time in the race village, not because I was particularly amazed by running a 10k in 51 minutes, but because I wanted to remember the happy feeling I had when I crossed that finish line. I then went and enjoyed a post race cider with my friend; something which again I didn't get to do/didn't feel like doing last weekend at the Manchester Marathon. The Lincoln 10k may have on paper seemed to be a poorly timed race, but actually the whole day was exactly what I needed. ​

The week after a marathon; I knew from running the London Marathon last year to expect to be unable to walk properly and to fully hate the sight of stairs. However, last year I was proud to recount my marathon story and wanted to tell everybody passing that I had ran THE London Marathon! As some of you will know, my Manchester Marathon did not go to plan so reliving the marathon over and over again to various people has been tough. People have been extremely kind and supportive though; the responses I received to my race review blog alone were unexpected, overwhelming and humbling. 

Physically, I think I actually hurt less than I did after the London Marathon; instead of the overall body ache I had acute muscle pain in more specific areas. I like to think this is a sign perhaps my legs are a bit stronger than last year!? My working week was busy; on Monday I was straight back into it, on my feet all day playing Street Golf; with the rest of the week including supervising gym sessions, badminton, football, table tennis and more golf (if you had not guessed, I work in sport!) Being lightly active seemed to help keep me supple though, the odd time I found myself sat for a while I soon ceased up!

My 'training' week has looked like this:

MONDAY: I will hold my hands up and say I went to the gym to do my usual Body Pump class. I did not complete it to any level of intensity though; to be honest it was more the fact I did not want to be sat at home mulling over Sunday and welcomed the distraction and to be among friends. 

TUESDAY: Rest Day - the full post marathon tiredness hit me today

WEDNESDAY: back to the gym for some light cycling and then gentle Body Pump again.

THURSDAY: more light cross training and the return of the foam roller. This was the first day I felt able to withstand foam roller work - and it still hurt!

FRIDAY: I attempted a gentle run today, aiming for between 3-5 miles depending on how I felt. I ran a very steady 5k; which gives you some indication of how I felt! My legs were heavy and sluggish, but worst of all my left knee hurt and my right hip hurt even more. This was a bit of a shock as neither had been bothering me all week. With the Lincoln 10k on Sunday I was despondent. In a dream world I wanted this run to be a bit of a back-in-action, confidence booster after Sunday. However I now knew that if I was to run it, I needed to really evaluate my race goal. 

SATURDAY: Rest Day

SUNDAY: The Lincoln 10k - after a bit of a debate I decided to run the race (see start line photo). I did not want to miss my hometown event, and bargained with myself to instead just be realistic about my capabilities. I like to run a 10k in sub 50 minutes (one day a sub 45 min!), but instead I decided anything under an hour would be acceptable under the circumstances - full blog to follow. 

Thank you once again to everyone for your comments, tweets, messages and general support this week - it has very much been appreciated. ​