Race debrief | you miss all the shots you don’t take! came away with a 10K PB of 41:38 yesterday which was my b goal but still not entirely happy with that performance and would have at least liked 40:XX which I know I can do. I had been in such a negative headspace all week, telling myself and my friends that I wanted sub 40 but I didn’t think I could do it. The forecast was looking to be really hot and although it was cooler on the day, I think I’d already mentally written this race off. I also knew it would be painful and you need a strong head on your shoulders to push when it gets tough so I think I set myself up for failure. The first 6k I felt calm, breathing wasn’t laboured and it was going to plan. Although I never truly felt ‘in the zone’. The aim was to very slightly negative split, starting around 4:03 for the first couple of ks and then settle into the high 3:50s. 3, 5 and 6k were admittedly a smidge too quick but I was trying to work with the course, making up time on the downhills and from the gradual but energy zapping incline at 4k. As soon as we got to the 7k mark, it got hard. The mental demons were screaming and I knew it was game over from there. I remember looking at my watch at 9k and it saying 36:XX something and had a glimmer of hope that maybe I could pull it back but it ended up being my slowest km and I gave up. A PB is obviously a win but a tough day in the office and it played out exactly how I had imagined it in my head. It’s another example to show how much running is a mind game as much as it is a physical one. I’ve put in the work, training suggests I can do it, I just need to sort my head out. I also don’t regret setting a big goal and sharing it because it’s worth shooting high and taking risks as sometimes they pay off. It’s also not always sunshine and rainbows in running and I’m not afraid to shy away from that. Part of the reason why I think I did so well at Berlin marathon fresh from a stress fracture was because I was so mentally determined to get to that start line and achieve my goal. Maybe this was what I needed to spark a new fire as I gear up for Chicago marathon. We will keep trying and hope I can find some confidence again. My sub 20 5k didn’t come overnight and I’m sure this will be a similar story! #thelondon10k #Running #race #10km #10kmrun #runnergirl - @chloewhite.tt