I think I've just set a new world record ...... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

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I think I've just set a new world record ......

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10
22 Replies

for the slowest 5k ever.

I'm due to do my first ever 10k next week, but I'm finding I'm getting bored with my usual route down the bridleway and back, and it's only 8k, so has needed a loop adding round the park for the last couple of weeks. (Bear in mind that I did the great majority of C25K going round that park, and ended up sick of the sight of its 1.2k circuit. The picture above makes it look lovely, but familiarity certainly breeds contempt!)

"I know ", thought I, "next week I'll take a detour left up Silver Street Lane, go across the fields and hopefully come out near the end of the bridleway, then turn for home." But I've only walked those paths once before and remember getting slightly lost, so thought for my 5k jog today I would do a recce.

So finished work, did some new warm up exercises (found a book in the library, Running Well by Sam Murphy, which has loads of exercises in it), and off I set.

Down the steep dip, up to the very end of Silver Street Lane, into the field and turn left. Over the stile, through a gate and into a huge field, where I remembered to aim for the gap by the oak. Then turn left to the next stile, over and into the next field, where a tractor is trundling up and down spraying out what looks and smells like slurry. Nice. I pick my way round the headland, trying to avoid getting any on my Brooks (I know they're already getting old and tatty, but slurry is a step too far!)

And I realise 2 things. Firstly, this is where I got lost last time, and secondly, I obviously learnt nothing from that, because I am lost again. Left or straight on? And all the while I can feel the tractor driver looking at me and no doubt wondering what I'm up to (or he's hoping I slip in a slurry slick of his making - I would be if I were him!)

Come on then, straight on, over the fence, a stile to the right, another gate and a lovely wide track taking me up the field, over the crest and .... hang on...... what the $#@¥ ..... I'm back in the field at the end of Silver Street Lane. How, in the name of all that's holy did that happen?

I've done a loop, completely lost the bridleway, and lost all sense of direction in the process.

But do you know what? I had an absolute blast! I wasn't aware of my breathing, or aching in my thighs , or the sweat dripping down my back, I just really enjoyed the feeling of being able to run, startling (and being startled by) a host of pheasants, spying a muntjac peering at me through a fence, the breeze on my face, the slurry on my shoes (yep, couldn't avoid it all) ... I could go on.

And yes, I WILL be going that way for my 10k (or some variation of it no doubt). I was slightly dreading that 10k but now I can't wait!

And for those who are interested in my world record time? It'll be recorded in the 2019 edition of the Guiness Book of Records!

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Tartancat profile image
Tartancat
Graduate10
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22 Replies
Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

What a wonderful run Tartancat- it’s great to try different runs , even if it does mean getting chased by a tractor. 🏃‍♀️🚜 .

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

To be honest, the pheasants are scarier. They wait till you're right next to where theyre hiding then BANG, up they go with a scream!

Still, in a couple of months most of them will be no more, courtesy of the local landowner. Poor buggers, gotta get their kicks while they can

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Sounds like a fabulous run TC! Lots of variety and no chance of boredom! And great that you were able to give the tractor driver some entertainment!

I know how scary pheasants are. They used to scare the living daylights out of the horses when I used to ride. Had quite a few near misses!

Hope the 10k goes well - and you don’t get lose! 😅

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Thanks Cheeky, it was a lovely run. Won't be long till your 10k either . Hope you have as good a time with that as you did with your 8k!

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10

Brilliant! Well done. It's great to run thinking about something else - getting lost; Ted talks; what on earth to feed dinner guests; where to buy Pirate leggings... Ooh 5km done already!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

Exactly - I need to get lost more often!

Oh my word, I love it! Well done on your run, that’s brilliant. I’m a great believer in getting lost as a form of distraction. That got me through my W5R3, and has helped on some of the longer runs too.

Well done you, keep at it!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply to

I fully intend to! Cheers Neil 😁

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Wow weeee that sounds such fun that does 💪👍😃🏃‍♀️ My kinda fun that. Mooching round fields and lanes and getting temporarily lost. Not lost, but not quite sure where you are. You find some good routes that way though

I once got stuck in a field and couldn’t find my way out. I searched and searched 🙈☺️ A lady walking her dog on the other side of the hedge led me back the way I’d come ☺️

Yeah, it’s rutted and muddy but at least it’s not dodging bloody traffic 😃. Bit rough on the shoes but I’ve got some old ones I keep for such dirty runs.

My ears pricked up when you mentioned that book! I wonder if it’s the same Sami Murphy of the famously fabulous Bridge to 10k podcasts 🤔. Those podcasts are free to download from here I am always banging in about how good they are hundreds of original tracks on there too Some kind person,Andy I think, put them in a Dropbox file for us On the pinned posts probably

By the way, being slow is the only option on these runs, but it doesn’t matter does it. The conditions dictate the progress we make. Point is you’re getting fit, healthy and strong with these types of run. All your body is involved You’ll have abs of steel 💪😃.

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply tomisswobble

Cheers misswobble , I'm looking for more footpaths to get lost on as we speak!

I shall have search out those podcasts, they sound great.

And I'm never going to be a fast runner, but so long as I can keep getting out there and maybe occasionally hit a PB at something (speed, distance, getting further up a hill, doing a new run without taking a wrong turning) then I am happy (with or without abs of steel!)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Great stuff! I love the off-road runs usually, but they can be tiring so take a snack and a drink if you think you're gonna be out there over an hour. Keep a nutritious snack handy anyway just in case.

Wrong turnings, doubling back, going round in circles is part of it though. You never find pastures new unless you're open to a bit of adventure. I recce runs on Goodrunguide where you are represented by a little running man icon. You can toggle between satellite and footpath view (which is dead handy) So you have a rough idea of where you're going on a new route before actually setting foot out the door. You can look for landmarks to help you to help orientate you when you get there. Its good quality views. the footpath view is really useful There's an app but my phone is too useless for it

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10

You are a mine of information. I shall check out that app 🏃‍♀️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

Absolutely loved your post Tartancat!! This is the epitome of running for fun!! Go you!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👌🏽❤️

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toFabulous450

Yep, I've been concentrating so hard on getting to 10k i sort of lost the enjoyment a bit. Now I've got it back!

Ang33333 profile image
Ang33333

Snails forever! 🐌🐌🐌🐌😁😁

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toAng33333

Absolutely. Snails rock!

Jelon profile image
Jelon

Fab write up sounds like a fun run 😊

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toJelon

It wa ace. I'm going to go slow more often!

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Great that u enjoyed your run .. and I love the fact that u say only 8k!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toDeals1

I know, it's ridiculous and I apologise. Seven months ago 100 metres was my limit (If that!). It's like a miracle!

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

No need to apologize!!! It's fantastic! Looking forward to when I say the same . Happy running

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toDeals1

It'll happen quicker than you think 🏃‍♂️

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