Tri Challenge


Race report: Nike Human Race 10k

A belated race report, as I went on holiday about four hours after completing the race last Sunday.

The good bits:

  • Well organised, well publicised event by Nike. They might not make great running shoes, but they sure as hell know how to run and market an event.
  • Great start inside Wembley Stadium after set by Moby, swift baggage drop-off and pick-up and plenty of loos.
  • Not one, but two, lovely freebie dri-fit tops – a short-sleeved red one that we all ran in, and a long-sleeved white one to keep warm in after the event. Well worth the £30 entry fee. And they’re actually fitted for girls – wooo-hooo. Watch and learn all you other race organisers. Us ladies do not want another massive, square-fit cotton number that would work better as a (deeply unsexy) nightshirt.

The not-so-good bits

  • Running with a dodgy tummy after tapas the night before. I blame that for the lame time – 1.00.14 (according to my text from Nike just minutes after I crossed the line).
  • Moby’s warm-up act, Pendulum. Atrocious.
  • The late start. I’m not a fan of evening running, though that’s just my personal choice. But there was also a very long wait – in the region of two and a half hours – between arriving at the stadium and starting the race.
  • The rather uninspiring route around Wembley on a slightly chilly, very wet and dark evening.

That all sounds a bit negative, but I would definitely do the race again. I’d hope for less waiting around next time, nicer weather and – erm – a rather more solid feeling in my tummy.

Been on hols for a week, and put in a couple of runs – around the four and six-mile mark. It was a bit warm, and I don’t feel even vaguely ready for the Nottingham half marathon in six days’ time. That’s crept up on me, I can tell you. Despite my resolve as I travelled home earlier today to eat properly and run every day this week, I’m going to struggle with three events in London over the next three evenings. It’s going to take self-discipline that I’m not sure I have to resist the lure of naughty food and wine so I can still make my dates with the gym…