I set the alarm for 5 a.m. as I wanted an early start! For a 10K I like to have a light breakfast and then wait for at least 45 minutes before I set out.
Although overcast, the forecast was warm with a light breeze, so shorts and sleeveless top was the outfit of choice! I debated about taking water but decided I might as well. So I wore my running vest and put a jelly drink in one of the pockets. Also a few jelly babies! Sports glasses and sun visor completed the look and after a few stretches I was ready to go!
I started my warm up; walking, slow running and a 3 or 4 strides, just for 15/20 seconds, at a faster pace. This is where the doubts always set in π. I know that the Toxic Ten will ease if I warm up enough! After 10 minutes or so I stop and finish preparing with a few more strides and some drills. Experience has shown me that this makes a huge difference to my confidence at the start of a run and to the run itself.
I start the watch and set off at 6:38 a.m. Perfect! I love running at this time of day. I think about all the others that will be running today and over the coming week. My plan was to start steady and try and stay steady for the first 2 or 3 km. I really wanted to do this 10K in less than 90 minutes, but I know Iβll have to push myself for this in the second half of the run.
Itβs a little warm but not overly so - pretty much ideal running weather. Itβs quiet out at the start of my run - traffic at the roads I have to cross is light and I donβt have to stop. I donβt want to have to stop! My route is a tree lined cyclist and pedestrian path parallel to a main road. Itβs fairly flat with the occasional incline and leads to a pretty pond, but there are a couple of roads to cross and Iβm doing 2.5 laps.
Overall my run went according to plan and I reached just over 7K at the 1 hour mark, which for me is pretty good! I try and keep up the pace but I seem to be slowing down for the last couple of kilometres. (This turned out not to be the case!) My last km wasnβt quite the fastest and I wish Iβd had the stamina to kick it up a couple of gears more but Iβm not quite there yet!
All in all, a run I was really happy with! Iβll be ordering my medal soon - and thanks to everyone who helped to organise this fun event π
Good luck to all those yet to run!
Written by
Jools2020
Half Marathon
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What a lovely run report, you sound so happy to be able to do this and even though you pushed yourself a bit, you didn't push too hard, it's been great to see your progress since last summer, you inspire and fill me with hope π
Great run Jools; up with the lark. Well planned and executed to beat the heat. We have a heavy sea mist up here so it is quite cold; hope it clears by tomorrow !
Actually I prefer cold as long as it isnβt windy! Keeps the heart rate down more. But yes - itβs going to be warm later and I wanted to be able to do my best!
Thanks GTFC . During my run,today, I remembered something you told me years ago - to let my pace ebb and flow during the run. I did this today and it really helped, especially the last couple of kilometres when I was getting tired!
π An early morning start, a familiar route, good preparation allowing the ebb & flow pace ( love this GTFC ) and the Jools determination!! Well done!!! All the Pom Poms are going πππππΆ We await the photo with the medal!
Thanks Annieapple , I was so pleased with how this went! The βebb and flowβ works so well for me partly because I tend to lose heart if I have to slow down - so I just tell myself βitβs the technique!β and sure enough I soon speed up again.
Iβve ordered my medal of course π πββοΈππ₯°
Well done Jools, what a fabulous run you had! Lovely to make your final km quicker too! I have the same pace issues as you, but the difference is I donβt care as Iβm so non-competitive! My goal is to run, no matter what the time!
You are amazing, so huge congratulations to you! ππππ
Oof! A 5am alarm π I'm sure that paid off though on such a warm day. All the work you've put in recently really has come together for you - that was a great run and a medal well earned, congratulations πππ
Thanks, Linda. The coaching plan Iβve been following has got me steadily back to low heartrate 10Ks π. Felt good today to just get out there and run!
Well done to you. Really happy with your run sounds excellent to me. You sound like you have worked out so many ways that help you have a good run. Like you, I really enjoy running before most folk are about πππ»ββοΈ
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