Three day’s before running this 10k race I had managed to somehow injure my right foot, and it was doubtful if I would make it to the starting line, thankfully however by Saturday the pain had gone from my foot, but where I had been limping for a couple of days, I now had pain on the right side of my calf, nothing to severe but I knew something was not right.

When I woke up Sunday morning the pain in my calf was down to a dull ache, so I decided to make the hour journey to Stelling Minnis (just outside of Canterbury). The race was due to start at 10.30, we had the obligatory course talk at 10.00, then it was a short walk to the stating line, where all the runners congregated, done their final warm up exercises ready for the start.

The 10k course was once around the village then out onto the surrounding country lanes and then back to the village hall to finish.

The weather was a mix of sunshine, wind and rain, but stayed dry for the most part. The first 3 miles I was hitting an average of 9 minute 30 pace, however half way into mile 3 there was a steep long hill, which seemed to go on far too long for my liking and comfort, and by the time I had got to the top, my pace for this mile had increased to 12 minutes (not good), this unfortunately was time I could not get back and finished the race in 1 hour and 2 minutes, I had hoped I could get a sub 60 minute finish time especially with such a good start for the first 3 miles.

I found this to be a really enjoyable race, and may do this again next year,  am not too disappointed with my finish time as it is an improvement on the last 10k I completed, and I also seem to be getting sub 10 minute mile more frequently.