At last my first non-stop 10k!

[pianoteacher]

Finally! It's taken me a long time to get there but today I found the time and motivation to run 10k non-stop.

I don't know what made me choose today? Maybe it was because the weather was so awful and that would take the pressure of pace away? Maybe it's because I'm so pleased to be off the IC and running pain free? I'm really not sure - in fact I didn't really set out to run 10k! My goal was to run for 30mins turn round and run back.

I do a running club run every Wednesday where we usually go about 10k but we always stop so I've never felt it really counted. Today I wanted to run for an hour without stopping... no pressure on pace or distance just endurance.

It was very very windy on the way out - for those of you that know Hastings/Bexhill even coming down Galley Hill was hard work 😂 - but when I turned the wind was behind me pushing me up the hills and it all felt really good. I decided that rather than go back inland where I might have to stop to cross the road I would push on along the seafront to get to 10k. With 1km to go I realised I might go sub 60 so pushed the pace on.

Very very pleased to complete it in 59:13 😁

Think I'd better go and finally collect my badge!

Happy running everyone x

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done to you! You speedy one you! Congratulations!🎓🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍☀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️ Enjoy the very happy glow that you must be feeling and so pleased to read that you are injury free.

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you so much 61andtrying! I've learned a huge lesson from my injury (basically don't sprint like a teenager!) that's really changed my focus.

I still want to run fast but am seeing that there are many other ways to challenge yourself - seriously considering Beachy Head Marathon next year because it's so stupidly hard my pace would be utterly unimportant x

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

I've just looked at a 13 minutes video of the Beachy Head Marathon! Brought tears to my eyes! I really had not realised when I started C25k to add some variety to my exercise routine which I had carried out for years and years that running provided so many options! A marathon is not one I am considering!! Lol!

I would obviously so prefer to stay injury free, but I also like to add some speed into my running. It is really hard to know where the line is to keep free of injury. I have forgotten exactly what injury you had or how long it took before you were able to run again. All the very best with your onward running journey.

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Don't be put off speed work by what happened to me! Overenthusiastic recklessness caused me to injure my hamstring and IT band. I had been doing quite a bit of sprinting and very fast running which I've learnt isn't a good idea once you're over 40 😂 Apparently it doesn't improve your 5k times either.

I'm very lucky to know an excellent running coach and he's advised me to make the shortest reps no less than 500m and to keep the pace under control (30-45 secs quicker than current 5k pace). When I got injured I was running much faster than that - my Garmin recorded a top speed of 3:30 a km 😮

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Hi pianoteacher, Thank you for that helpful information. I think it is about time I started to relate to pace in minutes per km instead of km/h! Sounds like your running coach friend would perhaps not be encouraging intervals based on the 30:20:10 idea. Happy running to you.

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

He does those type of intervals with the juniors but I haven't done them with him in the adult sessions. I would imagine it's probably OK if you just run a bit faster. It's the strain that's put on the hamstring to pull the shin bone back when out and out sprinting that can cause a problem.

Good luck with whatever speed work you decide to go with x

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Fantastic pianoteacher, huge achievement!!😁😁

Is there something in the air today, I just did my first 10k too!

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Congratulations Crawlhome! Go us

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Congratulations Crawlhome!!! 🎉🎉👏👏🍾🍾🎓🎓

[Runsome Graduate10]

Well done pianoteacher you did it and in a fantastic time nice one and a sub 1 hour, hopefully I will join the sub 1 hour club soon 😀👍👏

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Thank you Runsome! You've done some ridiculously difficult 10kms in really good times so I'm sure you'll go sub60 soon. You'll definitely be overtaking me at parkrun soon

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh I doubt I’ll get anywhere near your parkrun times especially now your off the IC. I would be happy to be a just few seconds behind your time. Just a quick question is a sub25 a dream or achievable ? What do you think 🤔 😀

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

It think it's definitely achievable but it gets harder and harder to PB as the times come down.

I was hoping for sub26 around the time I got injured which I think I could have done and I'm sure you can too. It's a case of being comfortable with the uncomfortable!

You have to get the race right too - I've been advised to aim to run the first km 10-15 secs outside the km pace you need then ramp it up making sure your last km is your fastest x

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

And warm up really well too - couple of laps round Grovesnor Gardens to let your body know you're going to run does the trick x

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

I think it may be a Bridge to far for me, but seeing Adam Clark sprinting his return leg before I was within a k of the turnaround was quite inspiring 😀

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Unbelievably inspiring! He ran past me 3 times - I think he must have run the course again as a cool down - and it was just wonderful to watch

To run that fast in those conditions was amazing - it wouldn't surprise me if he's back again in better conditions to try to break the parkrun World Record x

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Hopefully If he does by then I will be halfway round before he finishes 😅

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Yes we see lots of people running to park run and I've always thought I'd conserve my energy for the run. But it must get the body warmed up. Could this be a good tactic?

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I was worried about conserving energy too but now we can all manage 10k I don't think we need to worry. The army give you an 800m warm up before the timed run.

Apparently you should warm up directly before the parkrun start and drop in at the last minute after the briefing but I would feel a bit rude doing that so I get it done before 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Amazing pianoteacher! Sub 60 is absolutely awesome! Another 10k graduate today - what a busy podium! Cheers to your success! 🥂👏👍

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Wohooo cheekychipmunks! Well done us

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That is fantastic pianoteacher. You have been hiding away just getting on with it and hey you pulled 10k out of the bag. Congratulations. You so deserve a graduation badge. 🏃‍♀️👏👏🍾🥂⭐️💫 🎹👩‍🎓🎶

I tried intervals for the first time today and the wind on the seafront did make a difference. It was fun though.

We stopped in for a coffee afterwards and could see rain clouds coming in. So we set off walking home and then ended up running in the rain after. Great laugh!

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

That sounds like brilliant fun Dexy! I missed the rain but it was so windy - I'm definitely enjoying the challenge of the weather conditions

[Whatsapp Graduate10]

Well done. Its nice to surpass yourself and often when you least expect it. The weather has been horrendous these past few days, and I'm sure a 10k up and down the hills of Hastings os more like 15k anywhere else...

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Whatsapp]

Haha! Most of it was flat today Whatsapp from St Leonards to Bexhill. Just two steep hills - which for Hastings is nothing

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Fantastic 👏👏👏🏅

Very well done. A great run, run well 😁👍

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks JoJo x

[MutleyShuffle Graduate10]

Wow! Congratulations pianoteacher! Awesome time! Well done you 😁👍🏃🎉💪

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thank you

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Wow! Look at that time! Well done PT, fantastic achievement and it sounds like you loved it too. 💜 xxx

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie - it was fab!

[Gran4z Graduate10]

Wow! Amazing. Brilliant.

Seen in another post of yours that the Beach Head half is on your mind. I've been told by those who've just done it that it's brilliant, and you can walk the hills and chat, then run on, sounds very civilised! Might see you there next year 😳. Happy days 🙂🌻

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Gran4z]

Yeah it sounds amazing! Marathons don't really appeal to me but there's something about Beachy Head that does x

[Millsie-J]

Yeahhhhhhh! Well done PT!

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks Millsie

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Wow that is superb and a sub 60 to boot, huge well done to you 😎💥🏆

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks ju-ju! I always wanted it to be sub60 when I finally did it but it really wasn't part of the plan today - just a lovely bonus

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Well done Marie! 💪🏽

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha xx

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

👏👏🤔🙋🏼‍♀️🎉🎉🍾🍾 yay! Well done piano teacher!!

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Thank you

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Fantastic!!!! Excellent time .well done.. enjoy your celebration 👏👏👏

[SANDI_runs Graduate10]

Wow that's amazing! Your first 10k in a sub 60minute time. Well done x

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Blimey pianoteacher, you smashed that 10k in style! Well done 🥂

[BethMay]

Fantastic run - so pleased for you xxx

[Christianne57]

Congratulations and well done x

Great personal achievement x x

[Hidden]

Brilliantly and speedily done. Fabulous 😃👍🏃🏾‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[JoBC]

Huge congratulations that’s awesome 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 🤩 xx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Brilliant. Very well done on a fantastic time in less than perfect weather. I really can’t imagine running that fast 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Katnap Graduate10]

Yay! You did it!

Extra kudos for running in the wind! 😸

[Macmac Graduate10]

Well done! 😀 Great time that is speedy! 👏🏻👏🏻

[Ang33333]

Brilliant stuff! Well done you! 😀😀

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Nicely done