The Amba Hotels City of London Mile was the first one mile race for me as I missed out on running the Westminster Mile due to being crap and simply not registering in time, knowing James had completed a good time at Westminster I asked him for advice, “run out fast at the start and keep it up” well that sounds simple enough.
As we prepared for our wave, we stood there inhaling the toxic fumes from the generator, my body full of adrenaline ready to give it my all. And with the blast of the starter’s pistol we were off, well I say we but it was James running like he was being chased by a pack of wolves and me trying to keep up. As we turned the first corner James slowed slightly and I managed to creep alongside him, both of us still running full effort, soon after we turned another corner to be greeted with an incline and our tanks started running low, I looked at my watch and it said I was running an 8.30 minute mile, how could that be? I asked myself, I am faster than that surely, my legs started to burn and I thought I was done, “Keep running you wimp, its only a mile” was the resounding voice in my head, I kept going even though I has slowed down dramatically, digging deep to cross that finish line. Once that medal was around my neck I hunkered down on the curb, feeling sick, light headed and totally empty, looked at my watch to be greeted with a wonderful sight…I finished in 6.34!!! Hell yeah!! I was so happy, but felt like I was going to be sick everywhere and a mighty headache had crept in!
That feeling didn’t leave me for the rest of the day, I totally crashed and burnt, but you know what? I wouldn’t change it, 6.34 baby!
