The Snailtastic Runner: The Great Birmingham 10k... Finally I'm Getting Somewhere

So, I'd signed up for this just before my first 5k. I thought realistically I'd have to, as a progression step. After reading about it, I thought it'd be great, the support from the home city was just what I needed to keep me going. Upon reading reviews for the event, I thought why not? What could go wrong?

I made the mistake however, to go out and have a couple of pints the night before with a friend... Bad idea! DO NOT DO THIS! Ahaha.

I woke- not hungover, thank God but feeling a bit groggy. I was ready for my Dad’s early pick up, stumbling into the car with 57 layers on. I knew that the route meant road closures, so we didn't take any chances and got into Birmingham for about 8ish. My stomach was turning roundabouts due to the beer the night before, and I seriously doubted myself. I just wanted to go home. It didn't help either that the start to the day was miserable and rainy. Typical! Although now I prefer to run in the rain!

I was placed in the 90's wave and due to set off at 10:45ish (I believe), I had no idea of what was to come. Not only had I only ever run about 4 miles at the most, I had absolutely not visual route in my head of Birmingham or the route. We were all rounded up and thrown into the warm up area. I must admit, it was horrible, a very congested start. My first event where the number of runners were in the thousands. So here we go... I'm about to do a milage that's a first, with no warm up, on streets I didn't know with an iffy beer stomach and chinese chips and curry sauce sloshing around!! Aha. (I did say I'm not your stereotypical runner right?!)

With nothing but music in my ears and forgetting to start my running app, I was off once again!

After about 3 miles I thought....

Yep, this isn't bad at all. I like really like this.

The cheers from random people etc... Running down, I think Penshore Road (I think that's what it was called. Well it was exceedingly long, then you go around Edgebaston Cricket Ground and double backed on yourself). I was feeling a bit ill again, not now!

I concentrated on the music and carried a bottle of water from the first drinks station. Upon doubling back on the really long road, trying not to die on the other side of the barriers, I could see someone waving at me... I thought hmmm... I then clicked on as I got closer that it was one of my fave tutors from my old secondary school who inspired me to take on a History Degree... And stopped me from getting into a lot of trouble in my GCSE years (yes, believe it or not I was quite the little shit at school), she put me on the straight and narrow and was there for me more than a lot of people at that time in my life. (Much respect Harlock!!).

Yeah, enough of the soppy shizzle back to the running Coley. After that it all went downhill (unfortunately not literally). Nobody informed me about Hagley roads incline, this took it out of me ever so quickly. But in a way, not knowing did help, because I had no clue when it was going to end, so I just kept on going and hoped that it would eventually peak At this point, my legs were jellyfied and I had to walk to catch my breath for about a minute or so. Regaining some energy, I managed to pick up a light jog, all I can remember after this was someone in the crowd shouting:

"Come on. You can do it. There's only a mile or so left to go!"

Want a piece of advise- NEVER believe the public, especially if you don't have a running app or a Garmin in your presence. Hell yeah, I'm going to complete this at a fairly good time and I don't feel that bad. So as you can imagine, I decided to up the pace, every minute (or so I felt with no watch) I found myself scanning the area for a finish line

Nope no finish there, or there. Where the hell is it?!

It felt like half an hour had passed by the time I came into the final straight, I just about had enough energy to attempt my snailtastic sprint... It was over. Thank God! I crossed the finish line, upon reading the results, I made a finishing time of 1:12:43... My old tutor that waved at me beat my by 3 seconds- fair play! Aha. I absolutely loved this run, it was one of the main reasons why I wanted to take up the Brum half to. Hats off to you Great Run Series, well worth the entry free!

Here are some photos from the day:-