Well, well, well...

A week of no running... I survived! And although I've told anyone who would listen that I've 'put on half a stone', I'm not actually sure how accurate that is and probably haven't changed too much (although I saw a photo of myself earlier and nearly vommed, maybe I'll share it later...). Also after chatting to Alison, who's had 9 months off running with a bad knee, I realised I was being a 'tad' dramatic...

I was quite happy to see the back of the bike and get back to slapping my feet one in-front of the other. The nurse who took my stitches out told me to wait until after the weekend to run, so obviously I went straight to the track on the Thursday night. Rebel without a cause.......... Not much to report except I was the ONLY one at the track so felt like one of those properrrrr good athletes that get their own coaches. Alas, I was still plodding but kept insisting to Dave that I'd been "injured". He wasn't having any of it and told me to get on with it. No diva behaviour on Dave's (bleeping) watch.

Despite not running for a while, and having a weekend of football and alcohol (LAAAAAD) planned, I decided to enter a 5k race on the Tuesday evening. According to mum it was 'run by the buddhas' - very un-politically correct there mother! It was part of the Sri Chinmoy series; he's a world-famous Indian spiritualist, NOT a buddha. But for some reason he was holding a race in Eastville Park in Bristol so thanks for the opportunity, Sri!!! (sorry, Sri, genuinely thanks, you sound lovely). 

I think we can all agree how lovely Sri looks

After surviving one of the top 5 hangovers of my entire drinking career on Sunday, I wasn't feeling too spritely come Tuesday. But I was determined to at least show my face and get my ever-present thighs round the three-lap course. Mum and Sarah were racing in Filton, Dad was playing cricket and my appointed bag-holder (Simone) was stuck in traffic. As you can imagine, this total lack of support (only joking) left me feeling extremely zen and not at all worried about who would look after my car keys. Luckily, everyone accommodates my needs so Mum and Sarah dropped me at Eastville, both looking quite emotional at the thought of abandoning me at a race and without the usual bellowing that keeps me going on the final stretch...

Thankfully there were a lot of friendly faces also racing that night so I tagged along, and the lovely Nicola looked after my car keys, leaving me completely freeeeee to attempt any sort of PB. Or at least get some good material for this blog... Hmmm, priorities. 

Me and my 'support team'

The race was quite straight-forward, just three laps round the park with an added 200m finish to make up the 5km. As always, my big head got too excited at the start and after about 3 minutes I was resenting the day I'd ever started running. There was a slight downhill on one side of the park, which was vaaaanderful. Well, it was alright when you compare it to the 'slight uphill' on the other side. I am telling you now, this uphill was not slight. It was one of those hills that you don't even need to change gear in when you're driving, but OH OH OH when you have to run up it, the old hamstrings are telling a different story. 

Bristol and West out in force - well done everyone!!!

Anyway after the dramatics of the first lap, the 'fast group' that I'd attempted to tag along with had well and truly pulled away. I wasn't really sure what was going on behind me but I couldn't hear anyone breathing, so assumed I was on my own. Poor, baby Emma. Abandoned by her parents and peers and then abandoned by all other runners mid-race. OOOHHH it was me against the watch. I felt like I was in a documentary; me against the world. I ran with a Bristol and West male runner for the last lap and a half (he must've caught up with me, my stumpy legs were literally running out of steam) and I managed to cling onto him for a while. *All of my non-running friends, I wasn't actually clinging onto his back, that's strictly for nights out - it's just a running term innittttt.

Desperately trying to be a 'fast one'

The marshalls at Eastville 5k were so encouraging, with one of them even shouting at me to 'hang on in there!' - thanks, I think. Chief photographer Andy was also running all over the place, somehow able to concentrate on his camera and also getting everyone's names correct when he cheered them on! The last hill was a real killer, and I even walked because I'm a massive wimp. It was only for 5 seconds though and then I called myself a 'twat' and ran my little/big bum off for the last 400 metres. I was definitely gaining on two men at the end (haha, sorry but it's true) and finished in 23.35. Not a PB, but considering I'd done the first lap in 8.20 I was pretty pleased that I managed to pick it up.

Funny how happy this made me, really...

OH AND ALSO... the top 7 finishers from each gender group (male and female - not sure why I felt I had to explain that) got medals. It's a random number but hey, if Sri wants the top seven ladies to be rewarded then that's what Sri gets. Somehow I managed to sneak into the medal crew and was seventh!!! The six other ladies were way ahead and far superior to me (Tracy, I'm looking at you!) but I was pleased nonetheless. First ever running medal that isn't from a charity race. A very sad but very true statistic and I wore my medal all the way home. 

YAYYY (mirrored things are hard to take photos of)

As a final point, I'd just like to note that races like this are really good because its not mega-serious and everyone is well friendly. More often than not, you end up running with the same people the whole way round and it's always nice to have a little joke with your new running buddy at the end, even if its to say 'HA, JUST GOT YOU AT THE LINE'. No hugging, obviously due to sweat reasons, but nothing wrong with a little high-five to celebrate our legs functioning properly. YAY RUNNING.

Oh... As a final, final point... I'd like to draw everyone's attention to this photo, mainly so everyone can laugh WITH me and not AT me...

Lets discuss...

Firstly, okay so I'm looking pretty knackered - as I should be - but what the HELL is that thigh?! I'm not blowing my own trumpet here but they usually don't wobble in such a dramatic fashion, and I think this is bad timing from my skin. We'll call it 'relaxed muscle movement', or something.
Secondly, my shrinking boobs have never really bothered me but WHAT it just looks like I have a thinning sausage attached to my chest. Very disappointed with my sports bra, I'm sure it promises a 'supportive yet stylish' look. Ain't nothin' stylist 'bout a sausage chest.
Thirdly my posture is terrible and I knew that already.
Fourthly (?) my hair looks ridiculous but WOOOO I must've been swishing it around like an absolute diva. So lets focus on that. 


Thanks again to Andy Butterfly for all the photos in this post - except the dodgy medal ones. Excellent job, and I hope my weird thigh didn't offend your lens!