The sun was shining but it wasn’t too hot. The air was cool in my lungs and the gentle breeze was taking the heat from my face. I could hear the pounding of my feet – so fast, so controlled. I felt like I was flying not running. Instead of struggling at the back I was approaching the front. It was effortless, easy, enjoyable – why was I worried about doing this? I suddenly understood the appeal of running. I wasn’t scowling, covered in snot and bright red, I was like those other girls – no thats not true I wasn’t like them I was better than them. I was beating them and I was nearly at the finish line……..beep beep beep beep! I catapulted out of bed with the feeling of dread heavy in the pit of my stomach. It was Sunday, the day of the Cockermouth 10k and that my friends was the dream I was pulled from by my alarm.
As you know from my last blog I was absolutely dreading this day. I had gone through tears and tantrums but nothing had made me feel better and here I was about to embark on what I imagined would be one of the hardest challenges of my life. With dread in my heart I started to dress in my hideous Wonder Woman costume. I looked out of the window and as if by magic the skies opened and it started to full on hail!! Could the day get any worse? Yes it could. I then went through the should I eat quandary. I didn’t want to eat and risk needing the toilet when I was running. I mean yes it would make me run faster but running has a habit of making “things” happen fast. I settled on a banana and waited for Tom. He arrived at 7.30am – really!!! 7.30’s shouldn’t even exist on a Sunday. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach as he pulled up. I headed outside and saw much to my despair he was wearing normal running clothes. After my complete melt down he assured me he had Mary Poppins in the car and agreed to put it on when we arrived. On the journey Tom and I fell out and this is the reason why:
Tom had proper lectured me about how I could not drink or stay up late at all over the weekend as if I did I would not only be letting myself down but I would be letting him down and Calderwood House. As such, being the good obedient girl that I am, I adhered to the “rules”. However he basked in joy telling me that he went to a dinner party on Friday night where he ate lovely food, drank lovely wine and got home late. As if that wasn’t bad enough he then proceeded to tell me that he hadn’t got to bed until 1am as he was out drinking!!! I mean really??? How is that even acceptable.
We arrived at the sports centre and Tom put on his Mary Poppins outfit. Right there all was forgotten and I couldn’t stop laughing, he looked amazing. We went to register and as I looked around I noticed we were actually the only people in fancy dress. That is when it hit me – this is one serious running event. These weren’t people who were just out for a laugh these were people who took running seriously. These were real athletes. Suddenly I felt incredibly sick and the realisation that coming last was a strong possibility made my eyes sting as I tried not to cry. I was not ready for this and would rather be any where else but there. Tom introduced me to his really lovely friend Carlos who runs Carlos Reina Photography and was the photographer for the day. He kindly offered to do all the photos of Tom and I for free in supporting Calderwood House. If any of you need a photographer for events or business get in touch with him.
I told Tom that my first and main goal was to finish the 10k. My second goal was to complete in just under an hour maybe 58 or 59 minutes. I could see the look of “never in a million years” cross Toms face. He proceeded to tell me to do that we would have to run 9min 30sec miles and my comfortable pace is 10.17.
Before we knew it we were ready to go. We stood near the back ready for the start. 5 (OMG this shit just got real) 4 (I can’t do this) 3 (I’m going to be sick) 2 (I need a wee) 1 (Tom if i die this is the code for my phone so you can call my Mum and tell her) Go – We were off. I started strong and felt good but I was pushing hard. I was over taking people and feeling pretty smug about it. For some reason Tom kept saying lets just set the pace here but no Little Miss Competitive thought she knew better and pushed on. Then the hills kicked in and then I began struggling for breath. Not only that but my stupid trousers kept falling down. A valuable lesson learnt that you should never do a running event in clothes you have never run in before. We finally hit the 3km mark and I turned to Tom and said “I am actually going to die. How are we only at 3km? I can’t do it.” Tom in the way only Tom can get away with pretty much told me to suck it up and keep running. More and more people were passing us and the hills were getting higher. I was giving it my all but it was so hard. Tom was giving me words of encouragement but I actually could not speak. I was so exhausted I couldn’t even swear at him. We finally hit the 5k mark and after all that climbing the journey back was mostly down hill. Even so it was still so tough and Tom kept telling me to run harder but I couldn’t I was running as best as I could. People spoke to me as they passed but all I could manage was a grunt. The finish line was getting closer but I really didn’t think I could do it. I was exhausted and I had nothing left. Finally we crossed the finish line. As is always the case I rushed for a wee whilst Tom got into the queue for the results. I sat on the toilet and cried. I actually did it, i just ran 10k. I felt totally overwhelmed and didn’t know how to feel. I joined Tom and they passed me my piece of paper. I had done it – I ran the Cockermouth 10k, my first race ever in 58 minutes!!
So I have some thank you’s that I need to make. Firstly to the 7 amazing people who have sponsored me since my last blog and offered me such wonderful words of support. Your kind words mean the world to me and we have now raised £575 for Calderwood House. I would really love to get this up to £1000. So if you haven’t yet sponsored and would like to please follow the link:
https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/emma-jayne-gooch-gnr-2019
I need to thank Tom for continuing to push me. I categorically would not have completed the 10k without him. And finally I need to thank my beautiful friends and family who support and love me in all I do.
Until next time……
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