So, having successfully beat the demons in my head telling me I wouldn't manage 9k in this heat, I set out with a spring in my step and an electrolyte drink and wet buff around my neck. At 6:15am on a Sunday no less! It was not too hot, and the Buff really made a difference. I wore it around my neck when in the shade of the woods, and when I emerged onto the sunny streets, I wore it on my head. It was lovely and cooling.
I was deliberately going at a very slow pace – though what that was I cannot tell you, as today of all days, the GPS on Runkeeper went haywire on me. I knew something was afoot when it told me I was running at a pace of 4:15 min / km. Really, I was not. I reckon it was more around the 7:40 mark. Next announcement I was going at 3:15 min / km. GET OUT! Grrr. I had no option to try and work out the distance by time. Last week I ran 8k in 53 mins – but I was going a lot slower this week. I ran for 1 hour 12 mins, so reckoned I must have done 9k this time! I tried to recreate my route on MapMyRun on my laptop, but it was too hard, as I did a lot of pootling around and running loops whilst in the woods that I really cannot recall (nor track on a map).
So who knows. I am 98% certain I did the distance, but cannot be flipping sure! Will just have to do it again (as per the programme anyway). I won't get to do it next weekend as I have visitors, but hey, no hurry, right.
The main thing is the run felt good, and do-able – I am really enjoying these longer distances and it was heavenly to be out so early before the intense heat of the day!
Happy Sunday, y'all.
Love,
Sadie-runs xx
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Sadie-runs
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Thanks Ripcurly. I definitely wasn't dripping in sweat, I think the slower pace really helped. Actually I got into a lovely slow and steady rhythm, it felt lovely. x
You do seem to be having problems with you tech Sadie - how frustrating for you! Perhaps you're one of those people who create their own electromagnetic field or maybe you are running much faster than you think!😂
Still you were up and out there and that's the main thing. Don't let the mind or tech gremlins win!😊
On a practical note if the tech is playing up couldn't you map a 9k route to run before you go out. At least that way you can feel sure you'd completed the distance.
Yup, every app has frapped up for me at some point. I think it might be because where I live is surrounded by big trees. Right outside my flat are huge sycamores, and then I run down tree-lined streets to a small section of woodland. Meh. My lovely sister is buying me a Garmin for my birthday – but I have 6 weeks to wait for that! Well, now I know what a 9k route will be, so I will know for next time.
The mind gremlins have been kicked to the curb now. I really don't know what that was about, as I am not a known wobbler!
I cannot wait to get my Garmin! And yes, I also have a sneaking suspicion I went beyond 9k (but not the 14k that Runkeeper proclaimed! LOL!) Thanks Linda. xxx
Brilliant stuff Sadie-runs i am sure you cracked the 9k mark, I did my first ever 9 km this morning and enjoyed it more than any other run, wr are proper runners now!
Thank you! And bloomin' well done on your 9k too! It's true, I do feel like a proper runner now I am doing longer distances. I am LOVING the longer runs. Still in disbelief that I am running for longer than an hour, when in August last year, a minute was a struggle! xx
Well done my running partner-in-crime! You did it! Trust me, you really did, I just know you did.
Tech gremlins are a pain though, what is it about 9k runs? My app messed up on me on my 9k run. Let's put it down to the fact that we're too awesome for our phones
That's a great idea about keeping yourself cool on a run. Now we can tell everyone you've been running in the buff!!! (You saw that coming, right??) Seriously though, brilliant idea, and so glad it helped. My run this morning was lovely as at that time of the day the towpath is mostly in shade. I love my towpath!
9k in the bag, you're doing brilliantly. And your slow is probably my fast, remember?
I did my 7k this week in the heat and really took it out of me... Struggled round my 5k this morning. Mustn't grumble though, the weather is Fab! Keep going x
Love the wet buff idea. - It reminds me of a super hot day in the Lake District many years ago when, in desperation to cool down, I ripped off my boots and leapt into a mountain tarn. I evaporated happily along the fell tops for the rest of the day! 😀
Well done you!! I reckon you probably did over 10k. Same thing happened to me on my 9k run... I pressed the wrong buttons on my new Garmin 🙄 and couldn’t work out the distance, so I carried on and on and found out later I did 10.5k 🙄😂. You are loads faster than me so you probably did even more than that!! And in this heat??? Just amazingly fantastic... HM here you come!! No stopping you Sadie you are on a running roll. So pleased for you after all your IC setbacks, can’t wait for your proper 10k report 😉😂xx
Aww, thanks FPF. 😘 I am pretty sure I did 9k, maybe a touch more, but not 10k! I can be speedy, but not in this heat! And I felt I was going way more slow than my usual pace. Pffft to tech- always lets me down when I really need to know. As for IC setbacks - tell me about it! Maybe coincidence, but body has held up well since starting Pilates and improving my core strength. Plus new On Cloudflyers sorted out a minor knee niggle! Mustn’t speak too soon though...! Have a lovely day, dearest FPF. If I achieve the 10k, will you reward me by telling me the origins of your name? 😁 x
I defo think you’ve done 10k me dear 😀 Use that mindset for next week, it’ll be a walk in the park... well you know what I mean! My user name was my daughter’s Club Penguin user name when she was little. It reminds me of when she wasn’t a stroppy teenager!! I’m really a Lucy 😊 xx
You will always be FPF to me. 😁 But Lucy is a lovely name. 👍 Yup, this run definitely chased away a few demons and I am feeling confident again. It’s amazing what is achievable when you slow down! xx
It's so wonderful to see this post! Literally blazing away at the moment . And to read how comfortable these longer runs are getting - that's the stuff. Couch to 5K and beyond.
The tech - well, it sounds like you run somewhere lovely... I find that as long as I get the thing to lock on first, it's alright, but that's increasingly becoming a struggle! Hope your running watch does all it promises to, but we know you're doing fabulously anyway.
Aw, thanks icklegui! I am not that far away from you, in Beckenham. Loads of trees here, LOADS! So although it is a busy little place, it is very green. It is quite the revelation, how do-able these longer runs are. I am gobsmacked that around this time last year I could barely run for a minute! And look at you, one year on!! Blazing away yourself like a good ‘un! xxx
Slow is new fast! One minute per km less than a regular comfortable speed, and there’s no stopping. I’m gearing up for my 18K late today, usual long South Bank route. Visitors probably see me as one of London attractions, me and a silver pantomime guy opposite London Eye.
Enjoy your run, mrrun. One day I will do 18k, I will. As for you, well, you have made it into Time Out’s Top 10 Things to See in Central London. (At least you don’t paint yourself silver like that twit.)
Hahaha, true! Last week l got a friendly wave from ‘Charlie Chaplin’ in full combat gear complete with white painted face. Unless he gestured for help stuck on a pole in this weather while l wizzed by!
Good stuff Sadie, you clearly were well prepared for the heat and it paid off! Like you say, the best runs of all seem to be those long ones when you just get into your stride and let it flow 😀
Great to see the gremlins have been dealt with, and now that 10k is just a small step away!
Aw, thanks so much Richard. I am amazed at how much I am enjoying the longer runs.
Cannot wait to have my watch! Trouble with the phone apps seems that once they lose GPS they never recover! I live an area full of trees, huge ones, wondering if that’s the problem? Map My Run failed me on my C25K graduation run, so if Runkeeper fails me on my B210K grad run, then it will be apt!
Had a bit of time off recovering from too far too soon! Back out last week but Sunday I couldn't face it after not enough sleep and just too warm so Kudos to you for getting out and getting it done. 🎩 Hats off to you.
It has been awfully tough with the heatwave. If I hadn’t been on the 10k programme I probably would have had a wee break and just done 3k runs to keep myself ticking over. The rest will have done you good, Richard!
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I definitely wasn't dripping in sweat, I think the slower pace really helped. Actually I got into a lovely slow and steady rhythm, it felt lovely. x
Accidental 9k!
Sunday 9k ASICS Maiden Voyage 
I just ran a half-marathon
I think I get too excited
9k done
