Well, there we are then: 10k covered. Excuse me while I prick myself to see if I am awake.
I had only run two 5ks in the whole of February to date due to an infuriating back injury and a host of problems at home varying from electric supply re-routing to a poorly dog ( and a sleepless night on the floor comforting her). So, I set out in glorious sunshine today with no intention other than running very slowly for a short distance while listening to Shrewsbury's game on the radio app. I was held up when my leap over an electric fence turned out to be a leap into an electric fence. Truly shocking behaviour. I lost a couple of minutes putting it right...good job I'm an ex sheep farmer and knew how.
It was pretty damned cold as I chugged along but it was utterly and soul-pleasingly glorious: the skylarks were rising and serenading the sun while the yellowhammers - or 'yellerommers' as they call them here-were skimming the hedges in mating frenzy. Talking of hedges, we are coming to the end of hedge-cutting season for farmers and the roads were completely covered in thorns like miniature tank traps...I had to stop and pull a couple out of my shoes before they spiked me.
Shrewsbury went one up shortly after my adventure with the fence and the store lambs decided to run round the field in sympathy with the strange, cumbersome oaf invading their world.
I was struggling to keep my heart rate down today: not sure why as my breathing was super easy. So, I dropped my pace a bit more and as if by magic Shrewsbury scored again. Note to self: if Shrewsbury are struggling, run slower. I had intended to stop at 5k but it felt good so I thought I would pop another couple in. Before I knew it, Shrewsbury had won. The sun was a glorious red orb in a perfect sky and my Garmin said I had done 8k-my previous best. So, I turned for another lap of the bridle path and-hopefully-9k. But, what do you do when you have done 90% of your ultimate goal and everything is going well? I pushed on. I have to admit the last kilometre was hard...I really felt it and my fifteen stone frame never felt heavier and 60 no longer seemed the new 40. But, I did it.
Am I chuffed? Well, on a scale of one to ten, about twelve.
As I had set out to go slowly-and lost several minutes fighting with electric fencing- the time was pretty poor at over 1 hour 20 mins. My moving pace was 7:47mins/km and overall bang on 8. But that doesn't matter-plenty of time to improve time. I still can't believe that I have run 10k when back in October I struggled to run 100 metres.
The picture is me being congratulated by my co-trainer, a recouperating Lucy.
Off to watch the recorded rugby games now.
Cider is in order.
Written by
Pm3eak
Graduate10
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Yes we still have winter migrants too- I saw brambling in Northumberland a week ago - that wonderful moment that happens for me about once in 5 years- "Chaffinch gone wrong??? YES! Brambling!" 😄
Thank you Richard. I think I am some distance -literally-away from a half marathon. I am looking forward to better weather and simply enjoying chugging along around here. Maybe next Easter?
Woohoo.. another 10k'er Well done on turning an adventure into a triumph. Not many of us could go through an electric fence and a road full of tank traps on our way to a new distance goal. Congrats
Thank you! The thorns in the road bring awful memories of cycling days and repeated punctures. The thing to remember about being shocked by electric fences is to, whenever possible, hold somebody's hand: share the buzz
Cracking post Mr Eak! And there you are, looking very dapper, and a full frontal too. Im glad Lucy is recovering and able to cheer you on.
I once had an encounter with an electric fence in the Somerset countryside in the days of my misspent youth. I was at a party and extremely drunk. I blundered across the fields, romantically following the lure of the full moon through the chestnut trees ( that Badedas bloke again no doubt), when I blundered into said electric fence. I had no idea what it was but thought the elctrical pulses through my body were a rather painless heart attack (or possibly a response to said Badedas man- take note mistress Oldfloss , 😳)
Heartless wench, using the poor Badedas man then tossing him carelessly aside for d’autre poissons. Let’s hope your 🐟🐟🐟 arent out of the 🍳 and into the 🔥
Thank you Ma'am. My wife finished her C25K programme yesterday too, so double celebrations. Mind you, she could have done it before doing the programme, being somewhat fleet of foot all her life; I think she just wanted to make me feel better.
Fantastic, it goes to show when you relax and take it steady you can go further... get those legs rested up and enjoy the cider (s) ! I hope Lucy gets better soon.
Nice one! I did the same thing last month, just felt good - so carried on and on...Maybe running longer distances is more mental than we realise (subject to basic fitness)? Just relax and forget about the kms, run as far as you want to (within reason). By the same token I've cut short a couple of recent planned 8km runs that I was not enjoying much and didn't beat myself up about it too much.
That seems to be the philosophy that suits me Lordi: I am learning that doing anything just to smash through barriers leaves you with bits of barrier stuck in your enjoyment muscle. I didn't start this running malarkey to enjoy it but I now realise that I actually can and do, but on my terms.
Yes because we all know that its not a real celebration until you break out the hedge trimmers! 😀I hope you’ll both be wearing gloves for the thorns. Good times...
Wow that is fantastic Pm3eak well done to you and to Shrewsbury. It's so exhilarating, and especially pleasing that you did it unpremeditated. Hope you're still grinning with pride.
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Well done on turning an adventure into a triumph. Not many of us could go through an electric fence and a road full of tank traps on our way to a new distance goal. Congrats 
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