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Now that the triathlon season has come to close I have the overwhelming urge to sit around drinking red wine, eating carrot cake (not together) and putting my feet up. It’s not really great prep for the duathlon season or for my clothes to continue to fit me so I started scouting around for some races to keep me training. Last weekend was the final race on Clapham Common in the Innovation Sports 5km and 10km series. With a very reasonable start time of 10am, there were no excuses for not doing it.

There were 3 races being run, with the first being the 2km children’s event which kicked off with a warm up where the kids were gathered together and put through some exercises. Kids are so funny to watch, especially when you have a bunch of under 10’s trying to co-ordinate doing star jumps. Great entertainment. The kids were lined up on the start and a countdown from 10 was done and at each number they started edging forwards with lots of jostling for space – clearly there was a lot at stake here! When the gun went it was a mad rush that lasted about 75m before a bunch got away and were running their little hearts out – which was really impressive to watch. There were a couple of those little kids who really went for it, with the winner going on to do the 5km as well!

The race started from the bandstand in the Common with the course going out and then back in to the bandstand numerous times. Not great for runners with the huge number of turns (I stopped counting after 20 per lap) on wet grass, but great for spectators who could get themselves a spot in the sun and enjoy the spectacle. The 5km group went off 3 minutes ahead and then the 10km group. I found it difficult to pace myself on a flat 10km and made the mistake of setting out over the first 3km a little bit too quick and then needing to ease up to recover. I was sitting in 3rd place and not feeling like I could reel in the girl in 2nd place who wasn’t too far ahead. The eventual women’s winner was nowhere to be seen… not had she been since about km number one!

I was very impressed that the course was well marked out with lots of marshals. I had been looking at the map of the course and gave up because it was so confusing, but once out there is made sense and the marshals were well briefed so no one was sent off the wrong way. The main reason for doing the race was to get in a good training session and knowing myself, I knew I would run much harder in the race than in training and I need it for the looming Jekyll and Hyde Duathlon this weekend.

I held onto my 3rd place and clocked a slower time than expected – which I am putting down to all the corners which I was taking rather tentatively. My friend Reuben took 3rd place in the 5km race. So, great results all round which was rewarded with a trophy.

My running has not been where I would like it to be, made worse by the fact I fell on the running track 4 weeks ago and did some ligament damage to my ankle which is taking some time to repair. It hasn’t stopped me from training but the swelling/ice/bandage routine is starting to take its toll on my patience. The worst part is that I can’t wear high heels which is my staple footwear when not in cycling or running shoes. The secret is out… I’m not actually 5’7’” but actually 5’3”!

The Regents Park 10km Winter Series is now underway and as I live a minute from Regents Park, I really do need to make an appearance there. They are on the 1st Sunday of the month and run by the Mornington Chasers Running Club. There is always a high level of competition and times I can only dream about being clocked!

I love the beach and a hot summer, but I really appreciate how lucky I am to have a training base in Nice, especially at this time of the year where I can still be out in shorts and jersey with the addition of a sleeveless undershirt. I have been putting off my Regents Park training laps on the bike this week as I don’t want to have to get all my winter gear on – opting instead to stay snuggled in bed only to be eaten with guilt for the remainder of the day. You athletes know what that feels like. I have been out in Nice twice in the last month and 3 out of 4 rides have been in glorious sunshine with the aforementioned shorts and short sleeve top. It is going to be a tough transition to the winter kit, one that inevitable is going to have to happen this week!

Happy training.

Cx