Keep on running

Hi everyone, Mike 'Elwood' Hyde here.

I've been asked to write another blog entry into these hallowed pages, on the subject of my most recent achievement - running in the 2009 Bupa London 10k Race on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May. As the name suggests, this is a 10km (approx 6.3 miles) charity race, held in London. As with the London Marathon, there are lots of amateur runners, club runners, people raising money for charities, etc. There were also some 'elite' runners, the best of whom on the day was Great Britain's Mo Farah, who broke the British record with a time of 27:50.
I've only been running for a few months, and even then only once or twice a week, so this was my first organised race. I was running with a friend, and so we got the train down to London that morning and made our weay across to Hyde Park Corner to register and get on the start line in plenty of time. The race started on Birdcage Walk, went up past Big Ben, up the Embankment, into the City, past St Paul's and back down to finish on The Mall with Buckingham Palace making a fairly wonderful target down the home stretch. Most of the course was lined with spectators, despite the forecasted rain - very little of which actually materialised. It turned out to be a lovely day with near-perfect conditions - fairly cool during the race, bursting into sunshine almost immediately afterwards.
I must confess that, even though I've run 6 miles on a couple of previous occasions, this race was tough. Partly, I think, because extra concentration needed when you're running with a LOT of other people, having to look for gaps to overtake and making sure you don't get your legs tangled with anyone else. Also because of running an unfamiliar course, so you're uncertain of where to push and where to ease off. But I think mostly because you're giving so much more effort, due to it being a one-off big event, so you want to make sure you give everything and run the best time you can. My target had been simple; to enjoy myself and run a time of under 50mins. In the event, I did both those things. We had a fantastic day and I ended running a 48:22, which (incredibly) put me in 846th place out of around 12,500 runners! I'll take being in the top 7% (if my maths is right) of any race, especially one in which the British record gets shattered!
I couldn't be more pleased with how the day went, both in terms of my performance and my enjoyment, though I suspect the two things are linked. This was only the second time this race has been held and I have to say, it was great. The organisation of the whole thing was spot-on from start to finish. The atmosphere was terrific and I don't think they could have made it any better. My plans are to step it up a notch now and run a half-marathon either in the autumn or early next year depending tour schedules etc. So fear not cherished readers, I'll be hitting you all for some sponsorship money soon enough!

Thanks for reading, and if this has inspired you to go out and do something active - my only advice is do it, and enjoy it! You don't have to go out road-running for miles and miles, it can be as simple as going for a walk round the park, kicking a ball about with your kids. Get those endorphins flowing - the weather couldn't be better!

Mike Hyde