No personal experience to speak of Steve but wishing you all the very best in your journey. Don't be too tough on yourself - the very fact that you are getting out and running is great, and try not to measure yourself against where you were before the illness - celebrate the progress you've made since.

Good for you dont worry about pace just enjoy the experience of the race and be glad you are fit enough to do it and get over the finish line. if there is a parkrun near you why not try and start doing that regularly to increase you pace. Good luck best wishes brenda