I've learnt as part of my training for any race I like to have a practice race of smaller distance to build my confidence. So looking around for London 10Ks I was excited when I read about RTTB! Running & DJs playing! what's not to love. I was aware that Sure had just taken over & had heard rumours about the poor organisation in the previous year (when it had a different sponsor) but signed up anyway.
And I'm so glad that I did! I turned up early as I wanted to cause as little anxiety to my day as I could but arrived to a well sign posted car park & an excellent event village with lots going on. Of course I had to take the opportunity to have my picture taken-I am after all a massive poser! There was warm ups offered by fitness first & music & DJs playing the whole pre-race. The atmosphere was good and considering the amount of people the toilet queues were acceptable.
When going to the holding pens to start the race I quickly realised I made a huge mistake when choosing my estimated finish time. I was in the red pen which was the last and had a massive amount of people who seemed have slower goal times then myself. I did what I could and pushed forward but once I started I was trapped behind people for the first 2km.
The course was surprisingly more hilly then I had prepared for (I actually hadn't really prepared at all-error!) But the atmosphere was positive going round so I could enjoy it once I gave up on competing in my goal time. The DJs were of different genres and I enjoyed 90% of them but as there wasn't music the whole way round I needed my music as well-heaven forbid I ever run without music!
I finished the race in 1:06 which is not my best 10K time but I had to accept that due to putting myself in the wrong colour & the amount of people. When I was finished I got my medal, some energy drinks & some protein ice cream so all in all good swag! I would do the race again and would try to get a group of people as the music & location make it definitely worthwhile.
