I was reluctant to run this morning - it would've been easier to stay in bed with tea & Eleanor Oliphant listening to the light rain, but I won't have many running opportunities next week so it was now or never.
Over the last few weeks things have started to come together with my runs on JuJu's fab plan - faster speed, better form & a growing feeling that the double digit number is indeed achievable. I had an unexpected 5k pb of 33.02 mid week (previously stuck in a rut around 35/36 mins for months) and this definitely spurred me on.
So the run itself: the drizzle subsided & the sun came out along the canal path. This canal route is the opposite direction to which I often go and takes you towards Stroud. It's more open with bridges (handy waymarkers), locks & old cloth mills.
I love music but like to lose myself in my thoughts and surroundings when I run. It's a cliché but there really was a beautiful autumnal glow this morning & little reminders that the year is advancing - beech nut & conker cases, cuckoo pint, wispy heads of rose bay willow herb & leaves underfoot.
The first 5k was very comfortable & although I flagged at times on the way back I did it in 1:12 which I didn't expect as I thought I'd backed my pace down considerably. For all those who run for their sanity and for those they've lost, you'll be pleased to know that I had a chat with my mum when I was tired and I like to think she heard me up there. Running for my health is the great thing which came from losing her & it will keep me going next week as my dad has surgery for bowel cancer ( good prognosis, early stage but still worrying & stressful for all).
It's taken me a while (May 17 graduation) but all the times I nearly gave up or was on the IC, all is had to do was keep reading all the inspiring posts here & believe in myself a bit more. Thanks for sharing your runs and making me realise 10 is just a number - albeit a magic one. I'm off to check out new running shoes & find 10k races! Happy running everyone! X
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Slinkymalinki
Graduate10
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Well done Slinkymalinky, on both your first 10k and your 5k PB. I should think the two successes are linked as they say you need to run further before you can go faster. We graduated c25k on the same day but I’m only in W3 of juju’s plan as it took some convincing to step onto the next plan. You have done brilliantly 🏃♀️👏🍾🥂. Go girl.
Thanks! I think you're right about running further to go faster, it really did sneak up on me pace wise. I had to step back from the plan around week 3 last autumn with the ice & snow then sinusitis & ankle problems. Got back to it only to realise I'm not a fan of exercise in the heat so it's been a bit of a trek to get here! All I can say is, keep going Dexy & have faith in yourself and the plan. It really does work. Some of my 4k short runs were awful - hard work & hilly but then I chose the flat towpath for the longer ones & that really helped. I'm rooting for you, you'll get there! X
Ah I misread your graduation date as May 17th 2018, like me, so I must have completely confused you! It doesn’t matter how long it takes does it? The canal path runs sound lovely. I’ve been avoiding hills but I will
Incorporate a slope in my short run this week just to get some practice and add a bit of interest. It might make the flat runs seem easier too 😂
Oh Slinky, what a joy to read this was! HUGE congratulations on your 1st 10km run, and what a great time too. Beautiful picture. Glad your 10k grad run was a lovely one. You put the hard work in, you should be very proud.
My best wishes for your dad’s speedy recovery, too. My dad had treatment and surgery for bowel cancer a few years ago, and is hale and hearty now. It’s stressful going through it, but treatment is so effective. Thinking of you.
Now, bask in the glow of your 10k triumph! Lovely. 👏👏👏
Ah thanks for your kind words. I am pleased that I made it. Good to hear that your dad has recovered well from his surgery. In many ways the hospital stay is the easy part - it's making sure he has help at home after & getting myself to and fro Gloucestershire to Cambridge for a few weeks whist still working. The running shoes will be going with me for my sanity!! X
What an inspiring post. Well done on your 10k and great time too. Best wishes for your Dad. Enjoy shoe shopping - photos mandatory - and race searching too. I am also looking for good 10k races to put in the diary (and, scarily, even looking at half marathons 😱). BTW I loved Eleanor Oliphant 😀
Brilliant, Slinkymalinki! Congratulations on hitting your first 10k! 🎉🎉🎉🎉😃😃😃😃❤️❤️❤️❤️🏅🍾🥂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I started running this year after losing my own Mum, and to get through the ongoing rollercoaster of my Dad’s poor health. It’s been great for my sanity. Glad to hear it’s been helping you too. Hope everything goes well for your Dad’s surgery. xx
Thanks! Running is a real sanity saver, isn't it? Sorry to hear you lost your mum too but am glad that you have running in your life now as well. I'm certainly going to need to run alot over the coming weeks! I'm off too have a celebratory glass of red with my roast. 🍷🍗😁
Thanks! I never thought I'd get to 10k let alone think about races. I'm going to try & run 10k every couple of weeks every couple of weeks & do 7-9k for my longer runs in between. Then I might enter a 10k race in the spring (don't know about a half marathon yet!) but will try & choose something flat-ish! Really enjoying E. Oliphant too!
It’s funny isn’t it...we start off, and think 5k will be impossible. We get there, then think maybe 10k is in fact a possibility...Now at 10k, our brains are already sneakily wondering if a HM might be possible...😂😃❤️
Wonderful post! Well done on your first 10k, a 5k PB and great to hear that running gives you that time to feel closer to your Mum. Sounds like you are coping with lots - (hope your Dads op goes well). Run when you can, read when you can't - I LOVE Eleanor Oliphant!🙂
Well done Slinky, it is amazing how a good run can lift your spirits and make you feel all’s well with the world, even when it’s maybe not. Fab time for your 5k - I’m aiming for a PB today too. Keep up your good work x 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Thanks, Lolly. Hope you get a pb! Happy running.... x
Well done and I’m sure there will be many more. Your 5k time is really good too. Love your post, so descriptive, and the photo is superb. I really enjoyed reading this. All good wishes for your dad for his op, and for you and the rest of your family xx
Thanks, Flick. I'm sure the SturdybyDesign combo had something to do with it - more streamlined?! Feel like I'm really getting somewhere with my running now. Good luck for the Blenheim run! x
Congratulations, wonderful. I've just done my first slow 10k this morning so I totally get the thrill.Loved your descriptions and wishing your papa well.x
I love Eleanor Oliphant and have read it three times now! It was my book choice for a book club and it's the biggest scored book in a year (we score each book!)
Anyway, off target here. Well done on putting Eleanor to one side and getting out for a run. You sound strong in spite of what's going on with your dad. I hope the op and recovery all goes well.
And yes, races are the way to go! Is that photo in Nailsworth by any chance?
Hi - it's Brimscombe mill, the road goes up by it onto the common & down 'the ladder' into Nailsworth - very near. I can see why you read E.O. 3 times - I'm really enjoying her writing style & the tale of course. Thanks for your good wishes. X
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