Race for Life, 5km, Sunday 12th June

To be fair, I wasn't taking this race too seriously........ It was Graham's birthday on Saturday and we'd arranged to go out to some friends for dinner that night, which, for one as obsessive as me, would normally be a no-no the night before a race.  I don't drink, but I'd still want to control what I ate and get an early night.  A very relaxing eveing, lovely lasagne, a huge slice of birthday cake and a late night were the inevitable result, but (as always!) I slept very well and woke up on Sunday morning feeling good. 
I dressed myself nearly "from head to toe" in pink as per the sponsorship conditions of my firend Bev, had my "go faster porridge", found some safety pins and my entry pack, grabbed Graham and headed off to Bradford. 
On the way there, I got a text from Paul which said "Good luck Sal, looking 28 mins today", which, I thought, I could probably just about do if I pulled my finger out and would go for!
As always with the Race for Life there were literally thousands of people, and it was a proper party atmosphere.  I saw everything, from a lady in a very smart pink sari / headscarf combo who looked like she'd just come from an indian wedding apart from her trainers and running number, a poodle and it's mistress both becomingly dressed in pink tutus and angel wings, and numerous kids with their faces painted all eagerly awaiting the race.  I also read some of the "I race for life for ......." messages, which put the party into perspective and crystallised my prospective 28 minutes into more determination.
I sort of joined in the "grape-vine aerobics" warm-up with a few arm-flails and stretches (g-v aerobics not really being my thing), and followed the "runners" (as opposed to "joggers" or "walkers") to the start. 

I set off really near the front and went for it from the off.  Nobody overtook me, and I overtook several people as we went round the course which was full of short up and down hill sections, as we wound round Lister Park.  I made sure I didn't slacken my pace on the up hills, and literally sprinted on the down hills.  In no time at all I was at the "500 metres" marker, could see the finish and that the course was flat, so started  my sprint finish - earlier than normal!  By the time I got near the finish line I was struggling with swallowing and breathing at the same time, and as I crossed the line I couldn't believe the clock which said "25:15".  WOW!  Amazing time, way better than anything I thought was possible.

I got my medal, goody bag and water, then met Graham, who was jumping up and down with excitement about my time!  I couldn't actually talk at that point, but I tried to smile at him whilst collecting my thoughts and breath........
Part of my thought collection process produced this interesting statistic.  In a running club race organised for "proper runners" I finish in the bottom 7%.  In a race organised for mere mortals, I finished in the top 3%.   Enough said!