Week 27, Race 27: Hatfield 5km Series - Race 3

Another September 5km, this time the third in the Hatfield 5km series. Same drill as the previous 2 races, HQ in an office buiding so nice loos and sofas to sit on and a fast flat(ish) 2 and a bit lap course around an industrial estate.
I had a good run, finishing in 28:30 (not quite the fastest I have run this year but almost). For the first time in the race series I didn't stay for the presentation (blame the Standalone 10km, cake and the fact I have started work again in the last couple of weeks). But I should have done as, for the first time as an adult, I won something...3rd FV35 in the series!!! No idea if I actually won anything but that doesn't matter, rather pleased to be the only oldish lady who ran enough races to come 3rd :-)

Week 27, Race 26: Hitchin Town Centre Street Race (5km)

Thanks to Hitchin Running Club for the photo!

It was a foggy morning for the first ever Hitchin Town Centre 5km race. This is probably the closest race we'll ever get to our house so we felt we should do it (and thanks should go to our excellent babysitters too).
It was 1 small lap and 2 big laps around Hitchin town centre. I was worried it'd be windy with loads of corners but it wasn't although I had no idea Hitchin had so many hills (well it certainly felt like it on the 2nd lap!)
There was a great atmosphere, the race was well organised and I really enjoyed my run. I was pleased with my time too (28:27) and it was really lovely to see so many people I knew enjoying running :-) All in all a good running day!

Week 26, Race 25: One True Grit

25th race in my challenge and something a bit different this time, a 10km off road race with obstacles, One True Grit. This is heavily advertised locally and I've always fancied doing it but it's quite pricey and that put me off. However, thanks to a group rate from a friend and a lack of birthday present ideas for Gary I signed us both up and arranged for Grandma to babysit the mini-cooks.
We started at 11:45 and, for once, Gary ran with me as it wasn't a "serious" race. The race was completely off-road and included climbing over hay bales, sliding into and climbing out of ditches, scramble nets, crawling under nets in mud, crawling through tunnels full of water, swimming (!), jumping over flaming logs, a water slide with more swimming and some crazy climbing obstacles.#
All in all it was good fun (with plenty of running too), it took us almost 2 hours...I don't think I'll do such a slow 10km again!

Week 25, Race 24: Hatfield 5km Series - Race 2

2 weeks after the first 5km race was the second race in the Hatfield 5km series...it was pouring down when I left, it was horrible driving down the motorway to Hatfield...I wasn't feeling keen atall!
Luckily it stopped raining before we started...sadly not as fast as last time (29:42) but still under 30 minutes so I was fairly happy.

Week 24, Race 23: First Saturday in the Month 5km

Another Saturday, another 5km. This time back to my 'home' 5km at Norton Common in Letchworth. It was pouring down as I sat and ate my breakfast and this was one of those days where if I hadn't set myself this daft challenge I might have stayed at home. But I didn't and I happily slipped around the 2 lap off road course in 30:59. I also enjoyed running with someone I haven't run with in ages :-) I finished off the excitement with a trip to the tip, life doesnt get any better than this...
 

Week 23, Race 22: Hatfield 5km Series - Race 1

Another 5km race (there will be a few in September!)...tonight was the first in a 3 race series of 5km races in Hatfield. Race HQ is at Affinity Water's offices so much posher than usual including a security guard to show you to the loos for your pre-race toilet trip :-)
The course itself is unexciting, 2 and a bit laps around an industrial estate but it's almost flat and pretty fast. I was very pleased to finish in 28:38 which is my fastest 5km in a very long time, almost 2 minutes faster than Saturday's parkrun and almost 10 minutes faster than my comeback 5km in January (ok, so both these races were off road but even so...)
All in all a very satisfying evening of running! 18 races to go...