hello and welcome anifrangipani; orangehead 22 miles! that's a very long walk indeed! I sometimes find walking harder on the lower legs than running, probably because I run more than I walk these days. Should walk more - when I did, it had a good impact on my running.
So, lovely sunny morning, woke up, feeling a bit weary and not at all like running 10 miles. Had 2 slices of toast (helpfully spread with jam by DD), some tea and about a pint of water. Met some work colleagues at the start, and it seemed like there were fewer runners than for the 5 mile, despite my 9000+ race number. We were over 20 minutes waiting to set off, which probably undid the warming up effects of my bike ride to the park.
First 2 miles were not comfortable, calves very tight, and splits quite slow. Cheered up once we turned the first bend of the first circuit (it helps that there's a nice downhill at 4 miles or so), and then up for the next 2 miles; I'm clocking close to target times at this point. The 20 minute delay, plus the speed these guys do meant that we were passed by the 45+ minute folks at about mile 3. We cheered them on. It was fun down at the back - lots of chat and jokes and camaraderie; all shapes and sizes, all running for the joy of it. Stewards were great too, very encouraging. It seemed to take ages to get to 5 miles, and not long after that (on a long straight road, with lots of finishers jogging home 
) I passed my parked bike (makes mental note not to park anywhere en route next time) and was tempted just to jack it in and go home. But I slogged on and picked up the pace for the last 4 miles or so; my path was crossed by a tiny blue butterfly, which seemed like a good omen. I was running pretty easy by this point, and my splits got better as the race went on. And then before I knew it, the 9 mile turn up the hill and finish in sight. Nice bit of an old sprint for the line.
It was fun; I didn't quite feel like I had it in the tank today, but also think that most of my problems with running are mental rather than physical - I think I am better than I allow myself to be, IYSWIM, I just always think I can't do it. I really need to tackle this.
There were some great moments in the race though, I loved the Kenyan girl and Zimbabwean guy joking and ribbing each other (he said that her oxygen take-up had been mucked up by living in Ireland for too long) - and the ladies walk/running for their friend's little boy who needs expensive medical treatment.
All in all a good day (DD is getting quite used to rifling through the goody bags for nice sweets); I've had my favourite dinner and am drinking a bottle of my favourite beer.
I still want to improve, and think that I am actually going to join a running club. Watch this space.
In other news: DP and I went for a wholly unnecessary scan yesterday (it should have been cancelled because they could see everything they needed at the 20 week one), but it was lovely to see DD2 in such a relaxed context. She is bigger than DD1 I think, and is no longer breech. Hooray!
I hope you are all having good Saturdays.
Dr No - you will storm your new category; I've 10 years on you, so there!