Today I completed the Derby 10k which I am calling ‘ Race Day 2’ !!!! Good ring to it.

But lets rewind to yesterday first – I took a trip to the specialist local running shop to get some advice on running shoes given that the old knees has been giving me some gip.I was dreading this given my last two experiences of specialist shops

 – 1) Specialist record dealers – bearded mooooso looking down his nose !2) Specialist Golf shops – pair of fat golf snobs !

Gladly, I was suprised by the help that the guys gave me and the shoe problem was diagnosed and resolved with a new pair of Brooks( I had to do a few runs in my current footwear, and it turns out the shoe does not support me properly and the ball slides inward and down putting pressure on my knees). I am a very happy man and as a result will be a returning customer to the Lincolnshire Runner, High Street, lincoln !!!So as we pulled up into the car park at the stadium nice and early this morning I was full of optimism, and not even too worried about the mansize Chicken Madras I’d munched last night that hadnt fully left the system if you catch the drift ! Well warmed up I headed for the start of what is a retail park, around Derby Centre, back through the retail park and then a big finish.

I set off very cautiously given the new trainers and the way I had struggled in the later stages of the Lincoln event, with the intention of pacing myself and as a result felt the first couple of kilometres were awfully slow. We headed into the town centre which was great, I was really enjoying the run and had enough energy to applaud the band ( it is appreciated when people give their time up) and must say I was suprised at the amount of climbs we were doing) I felt fine at 5k and even managed to swallow the water this time ! After the town centre circuit we headed back to Pride Park – still feeling relatively good with no joint pain evident, but feeling that the run was a lot further than last time.

Heading to 9k where it was so painful last time although tired, I was no where near as bad as I was last time which leads me to think I had been a little too conservative. As we reached the outside of the stadium I could see finishers coming out clutching their t shirts ( wot no medals ???) and they were clapping and shouting encouragement.The stadium finish was great and I circled the pitch to finish in a time of 1:05:27 – exactly two minutes slower than Lincoln , however with the climbs and the new gear plus the cautiousness in the first half, I was pleased with that result.

And the best bit – finishing and still being able to jog after the finish line – take that Michael Crawford !! Next stop Manchester May 17th – ave it !!!