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
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pianoteacher
Graduate10
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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.
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
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.
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 😮
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.
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
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
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 🤔 😀
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
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 😀
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
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?
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 😂
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!
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...
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 🙂🌻
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My first "Official" 10K
First 10K race done! 
10k at last 😁😁
First ever 10K done!
First 10k race!
