The Snailtastic Runner: Hold On... Another 5k

So after my first 5k I felt amazing, addicted almost, but due to some demotivation my training lapsed between the end of March to April. According to my records on RunKeeper, I didn't do any recorded runs until the 19th April. I know for sure this wasn't the case, I continued to run. But not as often.

I found that I was coming home more often than being at university. I got exceedingly lonley and felt I thought too much about home and my Nan, getting quite upset. I was missing lectures again and stressed about deadlines. I became very anxious to be in a lecture room, I'd just get distracted and kept on looking at the clock, trying to convince myself to stay and not leg out of the door due to my increased heartbeat, or stand up and excuse myself to the toilet and not come back. It was exceedingly hard. What I have just stated, I haven't really discussed with anyone before. Reading up on things lately it could be a slight anxiety/ claustrophobidic disorder. But I'm no doctor and nor is the internet for all its worth. Relating to running, if you're unsure of a painful injury do not do what most runner do (guilty as charged) and continue training, go to your local GP!!

So my second 5k was upon me with hardly no training whatsoever under my belt and more than likely a bag of extremely fatigued fitness. But I thought...

No, I've paid for this, I will do this as well as it being a chairty held event.

So me and my moral support (my dad) headed off that morning, whilst I left my fiancé having a nice lie in like any other person who isn't a runner will cherish. I was one of the first to arrive. I like getting there earlier than 30mins to sort myself out. I almost always get anxious which makes me believe I have a bad stomach, but I've learned how to overcome this and after reading forums. I’ve concluded it’s quite common.

Top tips for this:

Get up nice and early- lay off a heavy breakfast

Try and keep moving or go for a short walk or if you have a dog it will be handy for just a short walk round the block before.

If you feel really iffy take some immodium or IBS tables (which I felt really helped)

Always take tissues!! All them port-a-loos on a big event are likely to run out of toilet paper at some stage! (Ive never experienced it. But I'm sure half the running community has at some stage)

Keep hydrated, but not your usual coffee, energy drinks before your race. Coffee always is my enemy on race day. I just stick to plain Jane water!

To continue- I grabbed my race number from the desk with my safety pins and off I went. I was actually really surprised with the turn out for this event. There was probably about 300-400 people that attended. A big well done to Nuneatons BHF clan. The route was also a mystery to me before the race day. Upon arrival there was a big banner with the route presented. Looking at it like on a small scale, you always think, pfft- easy. Why does it always look less difficult on a map?! Aha. As more people gathered and clumped I managed to grab hold of the Heart mascot and have a picture- check it out...

Run for Your Heart

After this, we were taken to the start just outside the parking area. I stumbled across two of my Mum’s ever committed gym members from the Villiage Hotel. I was really surprised to see them there, as they normally go for bigger events like your 10k's/half marathons. Dorota, had not long before completed the Coventry Half in an amazing time of 01:51:11! I was exceedingly proud, seen as though she wasn't up to full spec with a reaccuring injury! We had a little chit chat and once again it was time for the Snailtastic Runner to commence.

I don't know what came over me, but I was craving to start off fast, but thought to myself,

No Coley. Your not fit enough and you'll burn yourself out.

The course was very pleasent, a nice scenic route around a pretty park at the side of the leisure centre 3x round. I tried to push myself fairly hard to maintain a decent pace. Half way through I thought...

Oh no, that's it, time to walk.

But thinking of my Nan, as well as my Mum’s friends words of encouragement whenever we passed, helped perfectly. On the final sprint around the athletic track say 400meter to the finish a song which me and my Nan would dance to came on. It was almost as if she was watching me from above using this song to cheer me up. Do you know how hard it is to run and cry at the same time? VERY! But with that I crossed the line with a time of 32:58, (my app was coming out at 4.76km not quite a 5k) but all the same I collected my well deserved certificate and goody bag, endorphin rush imitated and feeling like I was ready for more. Had I gained the running bug already?

Here are some photos: