Todmorden 5k Series; Take 3

Having not run at all since racing in London on Sunday, I spent most of today feeling strangely anxious about tonight's race; the third in the Todmorden 5k Series. I even had a couple of wobbly moments where really bad  excuses not to race at all seemed like perfectly justifiable ones. Thankfully, through a combination of my own bloody mindedness and the steadfast refusal of running buddy (and driver, in Mark's absence) Jen to acquiesce to my suggestion that we 'just do a club run instead', I dragged my clunky stale old legs though a half hearted warm up and found myself on the starting line. As might have been predicted, when I got into it, it was all fine. I wish I knew why my brain sometimes feels the need to sabotage things like this! I think part of it was the self imposed pressure of not wanting to do worse than in previous races. That and some degree of laziness, no doubt!

The Winding Road!

Race Splits (miles)

Well, three rest days clearly did something for my performance when I really did get going as I managed my third ever sub 20 5k and placed 27th overall as first female. I must have been in luck as well that Autumn, who has placed just ahead of me in Race One and Race Two is taking some rest before climbing Ben Nevis, else I'd most likely have come second! It also seems I'm doing quite well in the standings for the series, currently placing third overall.

This is the first time I've raced in a series so I don't quite understand exactly how that works but I'm not going to complain! The final race is on the 7th of August and I'll be attempting no last minute get out excuses for that one!
A big thanks and congratulations again to Cannonball Events for the organisation and also to Jen for dragging my reluctant arse out and driving me there, as well as for achieving her own hard earned 5k PB! On the hottest day of the year, I think we can both be feeling pretty chuffed with a good evening's running!