Les Witton Dartford 10: 1 hour 40 minutes

Driving down the A205 / A2 I couldn't stop smiling, it brought back fond memories from last summer when I was driving with Claire, Clare and Tracy on our way to France for a chilled out girlie holiday at Lucy's place in Genouilly - one of the most relaxing breaks I'd had in a long while.

Woke: 7.10 AM

Snooze: once, well I did wake to the sound of rain and wind, hmmm...
Up: 7.21 AM

Fuel: big bowl of porridge and orange Lucozade Sports

Out: 8.10 AM
Route: around Dartford...

Distance: 10 miles
Weather: the weather man got it wrong again! The weather was perfect for a long run, sun shining, clear blue skies. The only thing I'd say is that it was little windy throughout which made it cold when we were waiting at the start and wandering back to the car after crossing the finish line!

The drive to Dartford was straightforward, the roads were clear and parking was a doddle. It was a very organised race I have to say. The facilites were impressive too. No queues for the toilet and I picked up my number without any hassles. All the marshalls were friendly and helpful which made the day even nicer really.

Met Ade and Matt dropping off their bags. We posed for a few souvenir photo's and then headed to the start line!

Ade happily poses while Matt bares his number

Taking photos with an iPhone is tricky business...

At the start line...

Mile 1: got over taken by lots of runners, young, old, light and heavy...

Mile 2: it was about time I over took someone! A bloke wearing an orange running jacket! [1]

Overheard a conversation between 2 blokes, let's call them Bill and Bob
Bill: She's my assistants best friend
Bill: She's really fit
Bill: She's 24... too young?
Bob: well, you're 28

Mile 3: I've noted that I seem to have a similar pace to a bloke listening to his iPod and wearing a black running hat with a grey rim. We've been taking turns in overtaking each other, let's call him Graham [2]

Mile 4: Graham over took me... pah, but then I over took a lady in a shocking green t-shirt - take that! [3]

Mile 5: over took a bloke in red t-shirt and mp3 player tied around his waist [4]

Mile 6: ran under some pylons and could hear them buzzing away. A little further and I saw a lady in a yellow coat cheering a runner on with a rattle, let's call her Barbara

Mile 7: felt quite light on my feet, it was as thought I was gliding on autopilot for about half a mile, the water stop probably had something to do with that...

Mile 8: Overtook 2 blokes and Graham for the final time [6]!

Mile 9: Barbara had made her way to mile 9 with her rattle! She recognised me and cheered me on too - ahhh! Over took a guy in a white track suit and a golden hooped earring in his left lobe [7]

Mile 10: Ade and Matt cheered me to the finishing line where I over took an 8th person - yay!

Finishers medal!

Refuel: a nice big and perfectly ripe banana washed down with a SuperBerry ForGoodnessShake from the goody bag

Back: 12.20 PM, not bad for one morning! I was going to have an afternoon nap but I just couldn't fall asleep
Alcoholic beverages not consumed: glass of red with dinner

What next: 3 miles on Tuesday morning

Notes:

• I should probably go back to my roots and invest in a [lime green Kappa] track suit for after my runs... it did get quite nippy and Ade had to lend me his jacket while we walked back to the car
  
• I hope Mary's free to give me a sports massage tomorrow...
• Looking forward to Neill's roast beef dinner this evening!

Snoozan

Snooze: 4

I passed the point of no return so updated my alarm to go off an hour later. I just couldn't fall sleep last night and remember the last time I looked it was nearing 2 AM so I wasn't going to give myself a hard time about missing a run this morning.

I must get used to writing a blog and realise that it's not a 'secret' diary. I was pretty impressed when John and David made comments about my hair this morning, and for a moment they had me... I mean come on, men don't really notice these things do they, what was I thinking?!

Last night I got an email about the Paddock Wood half marathon and forwarded it to my friend Ade to see if he fancied it. He replied this morning, and it seems we're both thinking "if you enter, I'll enter!", so that's what we'll be doing on 5 April!

Ade also mentioned in that he is running the 'Les Witton Memorial 10 Mile Road Race', on Sunday with Matt. According to my training plan, which Chris put together for me, I'm scheduled to do a 10 mile run this weekend and had been contemplating where I could do this, so I promptly entered online and will be picking up my number from the late entry desk, it couldn't be more perfect!

Ade, Matt and I did the Great North Run a few years ago - it wasn't as 'Great' as I had hoped. Apart from the Tyne Bridge, we basically ran through run-down housing estates and along dual carriageways - very inspiring.

Matt, me and Ade in Newcastle

Had a nice stretch at yoga this evening, so am all set for 3 miles bright and early tomorrow, night night!