By Jeff Brewster
At first I flatly refused the suggestion of running 10k. Although a keen cyclist I have always found running jarring and tedious. However the idea of joining the lovely Refugee Action team and running for its Destitution Fund overcame my reservations and so I signed up. My motivation was the importance of the cause and a desire to run the 10k in less than 50 minutes.
Two months of training followed during which I sweated away on an assortment of machines in the gym at work. Cross-trainers, rowing machines, treadmills, you name it.
The day itself was cold but dry and with the streets blocked to traffic we joined an excitable throng walking towards the start at Millennium Square. With thousands taking part, our progress towards the start was slow but as soon as we were off, a surge of humanity progressed out of the city towards the suspension bridge.
Initially, establishing a rhythm was hard due to the sheer density of numbers but once on the Portway the pack thinned and maintaining speed became easier. A glance at the watch after 5km indicated I was a minute behind my schedule so the pace had to be increased as we returned towards the city. I kidded myself that I would step it up at the 8k mark but by then I was struggling with each km marker seeming further and further apart.
By now, the course was packed with spectators cheering us on which was inspiring but I was too tired to pick out faces, just concentrating on glimpsing the finish. When it appeared the mental and physical agony was considerable but I pushed on determined to achieve my target. After staggering across the line I slumped to the ground in physical distress and mental anguish about the 3 seconds over 50 minutes that it had taken me. “I’m never doing that again” was my response to the pain that I felt.
Recovery however was swift and after a much needed drink spirits soon rose as the pain eased. Meeting up with my running pals again in Millennium Square was immensely uplifting as we shared our delight in our achievement with a group dance as ‘Ain’t no stopping us now’ pumped out from the awards ceremony stage.
Now the physical pain has eased I can look back on the success of the Refugee Action running team and feel immense satisfaction in having taken part. But the mental pain of those extra 3 seconds will live on…
Posted by Chiara Gnoli