2013 Challenge Series: Cambridge Boundary Run

After last week's highs, with personal bests for both 5k and 10k races, I had some difficulties this week in preparation for the Cambridge Boundary Run, a marathon round the outskirts of Cambridge (or in my case, a half marathon, finishing on the other side of the city). On Monday, I found that my left knee was very painful and would sort of semi-lock: my feet were also painful... not a new issue, as I've had problems with the nerves in them for a couple of years or so (they have been investigated, but no diagnosis). However, the knee issue was new. The result of this was that I was hobbling along for part of the week, and it was painful to do any running at all....... however, by the end of the week I managed a couple of gentle 3 milers, which were still painful, but manageable. The weekend itself was busy, traveling up to Manchester and returning late on Saturday night and having to get up relatively early on Sunday to get to Cambridge. So all in all, I didn't feel like it was great preparation for the run on Sunday, and I was not in the best mind set as I set off. 

Serious runners before the start

My misgivings about doing the run were compounded by the fact that the Boundary Run was organised by the university running club, the Hare and Hounds........... so not only was I feeling a wreck, but I was also going to be racing against young, fit things........ Now, when I got there I was relieved to find that there were quite a few crumblies like me: well, not like me, as they all looked like serious runners..... I realise now that not all races are like the Brum Half, where there were a significant number of people who seemed to be running it as a one off, or who were happy to run in huge teddy bear outfits for charity or for fun. Some races are chock full of lean, committed, athletic runners, who prepare properly and train hard........... maybe it was just how I was feeling, but that was what this field looked like to me.......

Anyway, on race morning, the good news was that my knee felt a lot better: someone must have been praying, as although I had a couple of twinges, it actually gave me no problems at all during the race, even when I jammed it in a hole about half way round. So that was positive, and my mood was also lifted as the race was really well organised and friendly, with a great atmosphere and decent weather to boot!

So, the race started on the East of Cambridge just by a trading estate. It was a slow start (which we'd been warned about) as the first half a mile or so was virtually single file, which meant that I completed the first mile in about 11 minutes as opposed to the 8 or so I'd been aiming for. The first part of the course wound round roads and suburban streets until we hit the countryside round the South of Cambridge, and I managed to get into a bit of a rhythm, completing 6 miles in about 55 minutes....... and then we went off road! I don't know why I was surprised, I just was, as I just hadn't expected this. Probably, if I'd actually prepared and looked at the course, I would have realised, but I hadn't. In fact I was surprised at how much of the course was off road: mostly this was ok, as it followed paths and was fairly flat, but near the end we ran more across fields, rutted through tractor use. Now I found this terrain much more difficult, particularly as the ground was surprisingly hard..... and my earphones also packed up with about 4 miles to go, so I was unable to listen to my running app telling me how slowly I was going. All of which meant it felt like the last 1 1/2 miles was more like three, and I found it very hard going!

Jenny (another serious runner) ...... and me

Like the previous week, I was also privileged to meet one of NYAS's fantastic volunteers, this time from Cambridgeshire. Jenny has been volunteering for NYAS for over 2 years, befriending a young teenage lad in her role as an Independent Visitor. She wasn't running for NYAS, but for another charity, Missing People, (see her link to find out more), but it was great to hear how her relationship with her young person had developed over the years, and how she said his eyes "light up" when she comes to see him. Jenny said that he does open up to her and talks to her about his life and problems and one of his favourite activities was fishing. But perhaps for me, the most important thing Jenny said was when she described a time when she told her young person that she cared for him as a friend, and his reaction to this: it just revealed how important that was for him. 

So, great to meet another NYAS volunteer and great to compete the second run in my 2013 Challenge Series. I'm running to raise money for NYAS, so please visit my BT Donate page to give generously. Thank you! By the way.... I ran the race in 2:01........ Jenny completed it in 1:47: that's good running!