Yesterday Parkrun was cancelled due to Race for Life. I hadn't run since last Saturday...life got in the way last week, so yesterday I knew had to be run day. I set off at 8.30 and knew I had to be back by 9.45 latest. I wanted to try a long run and had a route in mind but after a few minutes decided as it was warm that I was just going to do a few laps round the same loop as a lot of it is down paths so away from cars, and bit of shade and lots of dog walkers and others to say a cheery good morning to, as I ran.
So hot weather is not kind to me but I had my shorts on and on I kept plodding. Reached 8km,which I have done before. Could have stopped but kept saying you can do this. I remembered all the support and words of advice from this forum, I thought of a friend whom I had met en route and who ran with me for part of my journey and was urging me on, I thought this is less than a lap of Parkrun. You can do it. The last bit took me back towards home and along another path to a tiny park where I started my c25k journey last August. It's probably the smallest park in the world but has a lovely pond and short intercrossing paths. I used to do my runs and walks round there..largely because I felt too exposed out on the roads! !
800m to go...just twice round a running track...I can do this. And I did. So so pleased. ...I never thought I would succeed but I did. Thank you all...you were all running alongside me. And thanks to Ju-Ju and her plan. I've not quite stuck to it as I often couldn't do the 9 km and have taken longer to do it but loved drawing faces on my little bit of paper that I printed off.
10k run...complete...no stops. Feels like a gold medal!! Going to enter a 10k race. This has really boosted my confidence.
Written by
Rhodalewis
Graduate10
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Not far from my running area when I'm in the UK. Look up the Chippenham 10k in June or Westonbirt House in early August. I've done the Westonbirt one a couple of times and enjoyed it. Last year they had pacers so you could make sure you didn't go off too fast.
Thank you. I will look up those races. Westonbirt sounds lovely but worried about the heat in August. If you run in Beirut you probably don't worry about the heat!!
The Westonbirt race is in the early evening so even on a hot day it's not too bad. There's water half way round (which I used to pour over me, and carried my own water to drink) and at the end.
Not sure about the time of the Chippenham race, but it's the same organisers so presumably they are well organised.
Running in the heat is jolly hard work although I probably have longer to get used to it than those that run in the UK.
It's taken me ages to get to 10k...some people seem to do it really quickly but I have found it hard. I really believe though we all have different goals and we all run for different reasons. I started c25k after my sister...who is a dedicated runner ..several half marathons, 2 marathons and regularly does long runs, persuaded me to join her on a Parkrun. I got round with a lot of walking, but I really suffered. My legs felt like lead and I struggled to walk for 3 days after. That's when I thought "action needed" and started c25k. I have always been cynical about the walk/run approach but I loved the programme and couldn't believe it when I could run my local Parkrun without stopping. What I love most about all of this is the amazing running family. Some fast, some slow, some casual runners, dome serious. ..but all runners and all supporting each other.
When I completed c25k my goal was to keep running through the winter. I managed that and so trying to get to 10k was my next challenge. I did it but it was just a run on my own..but I am very proud of my achievement. We set our own goals and they can be whatever we want. I will never run like my sister, I have no desire to do a half marathon...13 miles..that's what cars are for!! But I'm still running and so pleased about that.
Enjoy your running journey and good luck with the quest to 10k. I know you will do it if that is your goal. I've read your profile...going through chemo must have been so incredibly tough on your bodyssey. ..you're running and that can only be a good thing. Sending big running hugs to you x
You’ve done so well, 10k is definitely the magic number for me. Like yourself I’ve no desire to do HM or marathons. I’m a slow steady runner I just want to do the distance. I’ve found the heat a real killer recently it just seems to make it harder to run, think I ran better in the rain & snow. Anyways keep pulling out the 10k’s, you’ve done so well. Sending running hugs back x
Thank you. I agree the heat is so hard. I hated the cold ..but it definitely beats this heat!! I'm going to try to do a couple of shorter runs this week then try a longer one next week as I'm off work and it will easier to fit it in. Just keep adding a little bit to your distance....and you will get there. Looking forward to hearing your progress xx
Thank you. I've looked at the Westonbirt 10k recommended above...that looks great and also have my eye on Windsor women's 10k. Can't believe I would ever do this! 😊😊
What a feeling 🎶🎶( dances in legwarmers and ....no, no, no 😂) congratulations. I did my first 10k this morning and had the gremlins with me in the last 1.5k, but managed to finish! We’re on a roll!!!
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