Sometimes, despite the fact you’ve previously run further distances and faster times, it can be brilliant to enter a race simply for the love of running, rather than to beat your last PB. And often, the best way to enjoy these races is to run with your friends. Which is why I’m really excited about the adidas 5K Women’s Challenge (
www.womenschallenge.co.uk) on 11 September.
Back to the start
This race is extra-special for me because it was the first race I ever ran, back in 2006. This time five years ago, I would have listened in awe if someone had told me that in the future I would have run not only 10Ks, but half marathons, full marathons and cross-country races, too. But despite the fact I now run further and more regularly than I ever thought possible, it’s good to go back to your roots, so it’s going to be a great feeling heading to London’s Hyde Park on the morning of 11 September, surrounded by thousands of other excited women runners, eager to run well and have fun.
Three’s company
What’s more, rather than turning up and running alone, which was my experience in 2006, this year adidas is encouraging runners to invite their ‘breast friends’ to enter and run with them, too, in aid of the event’s official charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer. And so, with this in mind, I’ve encouraged my amazing sister Gemma and my good friend Kathryn to run with me. Hopefully chatting as we run will make the 5K fly past, and we’ll be able to bask in our post-run glory sitting in the sunshine afterwards (because we deserve some nice weather, right?)!
