Inspired by the amazing 12.7km run by my running buddy Hidden yesterday, today I decided to increase my long run from 10km to 11km. I got up bright and early (6am on a Saturday, am I quite bonkers?!) and the sun was just about starting to shine. Downed some water, half a banana and some coffee and headed out. Still shorts and t-shirt weather – hoorah!
I tried to take it nice and slow, and on the whole succeeded. Did the first 5km in the largest local park to me, which also takes me through woodland, which I love. Had a great playlist set up to celebrate this 11km, and enjoyed every song. Discovered that my favourite Springsteen song, "I'm on Fire", has a beat that matches my comfortable pace, and that was a joy. However, for the first time ever I found the lyrics to be a bit disturbing! If you know the song, you'll know what I mean...
Out of one park and onto the next – a much smaller park with a beautiful lake to circle. It was even too early for the swans – as you can see from the picture most of them still had their wee heads tucked under their wings, snoozing away.
Between 6km and 7km it started to feel like hard work, legs got a bit heavy etc. I just thought to myself "oooh this is bloody hard!" and carried on. Hard no longer means I should stop, hard means I should slow down and dig a wee bit deeper. "Holiday" by Madonna came on and perked me right up, and by 7.5km robot legs kicked in and I felt great. Trotted on happily to 11km (singing, I might add). I felt I could have gone further, but keeping to the 10% rule, I finished at 11km. Happy as Larry and feeling so energised and joyful! I bloody love running. (Excuse swearing).
Happy weekends, all.
Sadie-runs xx
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Sadie-runs
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I’m very pleased to say that I’m gradually creeping off the IC as my knee is recovering - I’m just running short intervals on flat ground atm - & cycling. I’ve cycled over 300km in the last 6 weeks - it’s good knee strengthening. 😄
Wow Sadie! - looks and sounds (in every sense of the word - running AND singing) marvellous. And 11k - you'll be building up to HM next!
It is a lovely time of year for running - though I'm definitely more a fan of sunny summer runs than wet winter ones. Here's hoping for a lovely mellow autumn with lots more joyous running 😊.
Thanks so much, Deb! It was one of those life-affirming runs. 😁 Going to try and slowly build to 15km I think... not sure I could cope with a HM!
Yep, am bracing myself for wet winter running. It was a struggle last year, though somehow I managed. I quite liked running in -4 degrees though! (In anticipation I actually bought myself some slightly fleecy Ronhill running tights and a warm top yesterday! I will not let the cold stop my fun! But for now, fingers crossed for a long, mellow 🍂 autumn. 😊
That sounds like a beautiful morning run Sadie. And those lovely black swans on the water were definitely worth pausing for. Well Done on your 11k too.
Well done Sadie-runs , bestest running bud. The terror team are certainly out in force this weekend! Gosh it's funny how the 6-7k thing gets you isn't it? For me that tends not to happen at a fixed point, more when I realise I've just run for an hour. How am I doing this?? Well done for pushing through and completing the run. Your pictures look wonderful too
It was so funny yesterday. The robot legs had definitely kicked in when I got to 11k (glad you managed to borrow them back!) and in my head I was thinking "10% rule... I should stop". The robot legs, however, did not agree, so I ran the rest of the way back Sometimes you just have to give in to the urge!!
Have a lovely day, I'm really really proud of you for your longest run yet, though you really don't need to prove anything on here!
Thank you, bestest running bud. 😘 I am always amazed when I get a bit of a burst of energy after 10k! I wish I had gone on a bit further, but there’s always next week. Plus, I didn’t want to appear to be competing with you. 😁 Legs feel great now. Definitely ache less after 10k runs - must be the going slower thing. Next week I will do an interval session and try again for a sub-30 min 5k - it’s been a while!
Enjoy the weekend my lovely - the weather is glorious!
What a lovely sounding run!! I was driving to work at that time admiring the beautiful sunrise wishing I was running!! (Away from work ha ha!!!)
I think running in the woods is my favourite although I haven’t quite worked out all the paths in our local wood and keep popping out where I’m not expecting!!! 😀
Hee hee! When I first started running in this wood, the very same thing happened to me over and over! I have the worst sense of direction too. But I love woodland runs. 😁 xxx
Ohhh, this sounds wonderful...at this very moment I am sat at the eurotunnel terminal waiting to drive back home to Yorkshire where I can go back to enjoyable runs like this...don’t get me wrong, I have had some great tourist runs but, as they say, there’s no place like home...I hope my fitness level hasn’t dropped, I’ve only run twice in the last 2 weeks, but I am looking forward to getting back on my 10k track, thanks for sharing this wonderful run with us Sadie-runs ...Now get me home, the pavements are waiting for me!!!! X
Hooray! You are almost home, Bev! And you are coming back to some fine running weather - dry and sunny but not too hot. Quite warm in London today though - as I type I am having a picnic in my lovely local park. 😁
You won’t have lost fitness having run twice in two weeks - trust me. Your legs will be fresh and springy and raring to go! You are on the home straight now my lovely.
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A Christmas miracle! I finally ran 5k in under 40 mins ha ha ha...🎅🎅
11k today, 161km or 100 miles for January!
Getting on. 
