Was it really the beetroot juice?

BEETROOT JUICE
Preparing for the BUPA London 10,000 31st May 2010.

I don't really run many 10k races any longer because they are now too short and too fast for me, and breaking my last 10k 'Personal Best' (PB) time would push me to my limits because I'd reached the level of my ability over that distance AND I'm getting older. But I'd been donated an entry by Cancer Research UK so there was no way I was not going to have a go.

Then I read something in a paper about Beetroot juice. It was claimed there was 'proof' it would 'Boost Stamina' in athletes and aid fast muscle recovery http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8186947.stm I had nothing to lose by giving it a try especially I'd spent the last 4 years trying everything including questionable substances like Ephedrine Stackers, which actually had the opposite affect and slowed me down by increasing my heart rate and affecting me psychologically. So I drank almost a litre a day for 4 days before the BUPA 10,000. The effects were very noticeable from the start but only in terms if pink pee, and black poop. But by the 4th day I also noticed my usually uncomfortable knees had significantly improved. 

I was now ready for the race next day, but couldn't quite get my head around how I was going to approach the PB attempt. Should I go to knock some seconds off it, or aim bigger and try to beat that elusive goal of a sub 45 minutes 10k which would mean running at an average pace of 13.3km per hour?

For inspiration I decided to watch the Alex Vero documentary once more (www.alexvero.co.uk) especially the 'extra' features at the end, because the last time I watched that, I leapt out of bed and ran a personal best trail 10k of 46:59

Now feeling inspired and all fired up and sipping another glass of beetroot juice, the temptation to go out and run was overwhelmingly tempting. But I only had to hold back until the next morning. I quickly devised a simple plan; I would run without my heart rate monitor to avoid distraction. I'd also see what the conditions were like i.e. not too hot. I'd go out strong from the start and make up my mind to 'go for it' or not at 3k, which is the top of the only incline in the course.

The only other 'trick' I had up my sleeve was a squirt in each nostril with SUDAFED nasal decongestant. I'd accidentally found in previous hard runs it prevented my lungs feeling like they were exploding, thus it helped me to run a little harder or longer, by supplying extra oxygen to my demanding muscles. I don't know how it works, but I'm pleased it does.

Next day, I'm standing in Red pen B, so I had a good start position. The beetroot juice had gone and now I'm checking my hydration by sipping the free lime flavored Lucozade Light they handed out earlier. I'd also scoffed 6 little jelly babies by biting their heads off first. My Jules was taking photos of the celebrities and just left me alone to get into the 'zone'. The countdown started, and my heart raced a bit faster. I crossed the start line making a good pace but would I be able to make an average 13.3 km all the way to the end?

My watch beeped at the first kilometer and I was so much trying not to check the time and pace. But I gave it a quick glance and noticed the time 4:36 and pace of 13.0. I had to run faster. Next beep, and the watch showed 4:28 and 13.4. But would I be able to make up the time lost on the first kilometer? Beep! 4:22 and 13.7. This was the third kilometer at the top of the incline which I had run quite well. This was the spot where I had to make up my mind, so I decided to 'go for it'.

I ran hard to the 5th Kilometer but didn't hear the 'beep'. So I checked my watch. Somehow, my watch had STOPPED and was not timing. I panicked and tried to re-set the watch. Phew, it went again fairly quickly, but I'd lost time, and my stride and focus was now broken. As you can see from the stats, I never recovered from the fast start and the watch problem. But I did get very close to breaking the sub 45 minutes. I ended up with a respectable new 10k PB of 45:52 and was very happy.

Just for the record, my legs never ached after the race, even though I was sitting down for 2 hours having a meal, and I have run every day since the race without needing to recover. So was it the beetroot juice? Who knows?

Many thanks to everyone who supported me (you know who you are) shouting and waving flags. It helped to know you would be there.




Latest update, April 28th 2012.
This year I've blasted 6 new Personal Best times in the first 5 months of 2012

The Beet It website is here www.beet-it.com/sport