The 8k that turned into 10

[Fishypieface]

My first ever 10k last week was hard going to say the least, I decided that it was also going to be my last, for awhile, anyway. So amazed and ecstatic to have got there, but it was a bit touch and go at times. Am happy now to stay around the 8k mark, not so exhausting on the old legs, which do grumble..... ‘wtf is going on woman?’, mainly.

So my mindset was all about 8k and it was in a good place today. I didn’t even notice when my music stopped around 5k, I was zoning in and out…. thinking, not thinking, just running.

When 8k was up, I thought it seems silly to get so far and just not do the extra 2k….might as well carry on to 10. Spurred on in part because I’ve just booked a spa weekend in March with some of my oldest girlfriends. And now the sudden realisation of being seen in my swimming costume was the only thing driving me on to put one foot in front in the other!

I know if I’d gone out with 10k in mind I am damn sure that I wouldn’t have made it even to 8k. I outsmarted myself…. well, you know, easy done!

I don’t think I will ever get the measure of running and how it works. One week it’s a very daunting task, then in a few weeks it’s doable. It’s all very surreal!

I didn’t think I was ready to progress on to 10k, but then I thought I can just try Juju’s plan, see how I get on and can stop if I have to, nothing lost. I’m still a slow plodder, just for a bit longer now and a bit more smiley

[HeadInTheClouds]

Love it, just love it. You truly are an inspiration and I have decided that, when I’m fit enough to get my arse back out there, I’m going to be striving (slowly but surely) for that 10k. Then I can come and run with you, breathe through my nose AND hold a conversation with you..!! ... prior to cake and booze, of course 😂

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Haha!...Nose breathing went out the window weeks ago!! It was only a fleeting bestowal soon to be whipped away and replaced with deathly, whiney gasps. Couple that with a hefty (in more ways than one) dose of foot slapping and you could hear me a mile off! I'm sure the ground shakes!

Pleeeeeease do come and run with me, I need some company to keep me from my own inane thoughts, which usually end up revolving around cake and booze! (what else is there?)

[HeadInTheClouds in reply to Fishypieface]

Haha... I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that... I shall discontinue my efforts..!! Wow - tandem wheezing, grunting, foot slapping and snot bubbling ... can you imagine..?? Yeeeeeessss, let's do it...!!!

...and, no, there is nothing else

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

We'd be chuffing awesome!! I can imagine.... no bugger would come within 100 yards, we'd have the run of the whole world!!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Haha, you trickster, tricking yourself now into running another 10k! That is so awesome! Ju-ju's plan works, there's no doubt about it!

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

It really does work, simple yet highly effective, even with lumber- alongers like me . I have to trick myself out the door, never mind 10k down the road!! Even I was impressed with how stupid I was! But whatever it takes!

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Instead of running a certain distance on a run - try running for a certain amount of time instead. I really believe that we all have a psychological tendency when running a certain distance to "get it over and done with" - and we unconsciously speed up. I know that I do. My experience when wanting to run "easy" is that if I set out to do a certain time on my feet , I am able to keep my pace down because there is no point in speeding up if I have to run for a set time. I have now almost perfected my "slow easy" running by practicing with a friend. I have run with her truly conversationally - where I have had no difficulty talking to her for the entire run ( up to 1 hour) and noted my heart rate and pace that has resulted. My HR has been nicely inside Zone 2 ( easy paced zone) and my pace has been very slow ( only 1 minute per K faster than my "brisk walk" ). I have also practiced this slow jogging (and I use that word intentionally) by jogging alongside a fast walker (who has long long legs!) I am returning from injury after 6 months layoff so to all intents and purposes I am starting all over again after the previous 3&1/2 years of running. But I am really enjoying this slow jogging - I did 150 minutes of it this past week - and I am thinking that when I first learned how to run, I got too involved with the run/walk system and when I did run continuously, I only paid lip service to the oft quoted need for a large volume of slow easy running to build a good aerobic base.

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to Bazza1234]

I like this idea very much! Time is definitely easier for me!! I was looking at 'Niko Niko' running, which is basically what you do I think. Gentle and the optimum pace for great results physically and mentally and all that. We are always geared up for faster, faster, but actually health benefits seem to be better with a slower jog. Which is damn handy!!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

I am flipping inspired, Fishy! Good work. You just gotta react to each run sometimes, you know, see where it takes you...x

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks me dear, it was one of the better runs I've had recently and I've had some pigs! How you are getting on?

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Fishypieface]

So kind of you to ask, dear FPF. Well, for every set back there is a comeback - and I am quietly working on my comeback, by doing a run from each week of C25K. Leg doing me proud, no pain at all now. 🙂 Just got to build (gently) back up to 30 mins. Happily doing so; just so happy to be running again. Week 4 run done at the crack of dawn (well, pre-dawn actually!) today. It was a piglet, but I loved it nonetheless. xx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

This is good news x

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

That's fab news, glad the leg is strong and holding out. Great that you are enjoying being back out again, that's the most important thing of all x

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Fishypieface]

Thanks lovely. x

[Millsie-J]

Nice run FPF, you Runner you!

[Getfitok]

Awesome 😇

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Fab run FPF 😄...

the world really is your running track now😉...

You are absolutely brilliant..what an inspiration.xx

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

aw shucks, thanks Jan! I am slowly widening my area for running, still at early o'clock when no one's about... but little steps and all that!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Amazing Fishypieface ....That might be what I have to do...say aim for 4K and outsmart myself? You are such an inspiration. I’ve only done 5k a couple of times since graduation so I don’t think I’m ready for ju-ju’s plan yet...but it’s not going anywhere & neither am I so I’ll just wait till I’m ready....great post x

[Fishypieface Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Defo give it a try, it's difficult to explain but it seems to help my mindset. So if I can get up to a barrier (like 8k) without too much stressing or thought about it during the run, then I find it much easier to break through it and carry on. But if I'm constantly thinking about it during the run then it's really difficult to go any further.

Weird! It's all psychological for me and you know, which way the wind is blowing on the day....basically I'm a fruit loop!

You inspire me and you are doing great. It doesn't matter what we run, where or how, so long as it makes us happy x