Magic10 - W6R1 - 9K that turned into… 🎉

Hi guys, I had a very enjoyable run last night. I’d mapped out a new loop for the 9-10K runs that now lay ahead of us in Ju-Ju’s plan, as I’d outgrown my regular stomping ground. I’d started to improvise routes on the run… which certainly wasn’t ideal in the dark!

This new route took me out of Stubbington village and in a big loop around HMS Daedalus or ‘Solent Airport’ as they now call it, and then looping along a large bypass around the back of Lee on the Solent and back home to Hill Head along the familiar seafront path that I know and love.

I thoroughly enjoyed the run, this turned out to be the longest distance that I’ve run so far and I took on board the thoughts shared in my last headspace run, running mindfully, focussing on the body and my foot strike and being present throughout the run.

Most of this new loop is on a very good footpath/cycle track alongside some fairly busy roads. The traffic going by took me a while to get used to I found it quite distracting, but after 10 minutes or so it was absolutely fine. I found my pace quickly thanks to the long uninterrupted pathways although it was 5 degrees I’d warmed up nice and quickly.

I did have to cross quite a large intersection of road and I was prepared to have to pause my app to do this safely, but luckily it was fairly deserted when I arrived so managed to sail across it without any issues. The following paths did feel like a gradual upward slope for quite some time and overall there was 116 meters of elevation gain in total. I’m going to try the loop in reverse next week to see if it feels any different from the other direction.

Anyways… I accidentally on purpose smashed out the 10K 🎉

Sandie1961 …you were right. You clearly know me oh too well!

Chuffed to bits that I reached the 10K, thanks for all the help and support that you’ve all given me along the way. Also a huge thanks to my good friend Hidden who inspired me to start Ju-Ju’s 10K plan, I wasn’t planning to do it right away after C25K as it just seemed so far, but I'm so glad that I did! Dreams has also put up with all my nonsense along the way and has been a brilliant VRB on the journey to 10K 🙌⚡🔥

I’m going to finish Ju-Ju’s plan, possibly with a 10K modification to next weeks long run so I can test my new loop in reverse to compare it. Then I plan to consolidate the 10K in the new year. I have also started eyeing up the Southampton Half Marathon in May… this may or may not happen, because at the moment I shudder/cringe just at the thought of running with other people! …But I do need to start thinking about getting myself some of this lovely bling that I keep seeing on the forum 🏅so watch this space…

Thanks for reading this guys, hope you’re all OK and having a great week!

⚡ThunderSloth⚡out

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done to you! Congratulations!😊🎓🍾🥂🎉🏅👏🏻👍☀️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️Hip, hip hooray 10k today!! 😊Brilliant!

[Hidden in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you 61andflying! I hope you ok 👌 I love the running cartwheel emojis - thanks! 🙏 😁⚡️

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

All fine here thank you. Ran before breakfast this morning, haven't done that since the hot weather. Needed later day time for other things. Thinking of using my Friday run to deliver Christmas cards. It will have to be a start stop run. Variety is the spice of life they say! Happy running to you! 🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️😊

[Hidden in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Ooh... loving the Christmas card delivery idea 61! 👏👏😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Check out that fabulous 10k TS! Mahoosive well done to you! 👏🎉💪🏅 🏃👍🍾 I’m not surprised you feel amazing - what a superb landmark!

Your runs sound intriguing. I love reading your descriptive posts. 😀

Hope you’ve requested your badge - I still stare at mine in pure disbelief! Well done again. 👏👏

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Aah thank you Cheeky! and thank you for cheering us all on as you do it’s brilliant 👍 I really enjoyed that run, it really feels like a good distance and an amazing sense of freedom running it around a new route. Really looking forward to having another go at it next week 😁 going to enjoy a nice chilled 4K recovery run tomorrow 🏃‍♂️ oh yes badge...thanks! 🥇

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

👏👏👏🍾🍾🎓🎓🎓🥳🥳🥳

[Hidden in reply to Equi-geek]

Nice emoji work Equi-geek! Love those little party guys at the end! Thank you!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

My computer didn't recognise the little party guys in Equi-geek's post. They just appeared as rectangles 😢

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Me too, rectangles with crosses inside 😞

[Hidden in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Aah... they're quite cute 61, I think they must be new additions to the Emoji world... so will work in newer/or up to date web browsers 😀

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Blimey - congratulations on your 10k. You're on fire!!

[Hidden in reply to Tartancat]

Oh is that what that smell is... I thought it was the neighbours log burner again...!

Thanks TC 😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Great job... nice time too! Just need to knock 28 seconds off it now 😂😂

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Oh...It’s totally coming off UNM!!!! 😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh I know!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Brilliantly well done, ThunderSloth! I could feel the joy in your post! You smashed it ahead of plan (many do), but most important you enjoyed it by the sounds of things. 😁 Your hard work has paid off, you 10k graduate 👨‍🎓 you! 👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you Sadie! When I started out I wasn’t actually sure that I’d like the longer distances, but I can definitely say now that I do. I love the feeling of a long run. Thanks again for your help and advice. You’ll be pleased to hear my negative splits were looking pretty sweet this time too...

😁 👌 🙌

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

👍 😁

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Monster run TS! Congratulations. Enjoy the moment. 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇

[Hidden in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks Beachcomber, it is still sinking in that I can run 10k... even after 24hrs.. but this post is definitely helping 😊 Your turn soon 🥇👍

[Hidden]

Love this! Awesome post! Huge well done again! 🙌🔥

...Knew it was accidentally on purpose 😂😝

10k you beauty, Ace feeling!

Ah, you’re too kind!... you know I think you’re alright too 😉

Seriously tho... probs would of given up this week if it wasn’t for you! So... Thank you!

🤜💥🤛

Bring on the Half Marathon crazy! You’ll smash it!

🤩💪🔥🎉💣💥🙌🏅👊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely, what a feeling Dreams!

Well you haven’t blocked me yet...

so that’s a good start I suppose 😂😂😂

Hey, no worries 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just helping a friend out. We’ve got each other’s back 🙌 and your encouragement helps me get motivated too!

🤜💥🤛 13.1 ⚡️🔥

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Wow! Congratulations TS, that’s fantastic!!! Brilliant time too, you’ll soon be sub 60 minutes 🏅💪🏅💪🏅. Don’t forget to collect your virtual bling first 👊🏃🏻‍♂️🎉🎉🎉🏆

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

Aw, thank you very much TailChaser! Oh yes thanks for that, I’m now on the list 👍 how’s your back? Hope you’re ok 😬😕⚡️

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh look at your bling, it really suits you 😀. Back is on the mend TS 🤞 I’m going to try it out at the gym with some non-impact stuff on Friday. Thank you 🤗🤗

[Katnap Graduate10]

Woo hoo! A heroic effort! And at a good pace!

If you have a parkrun nearby that'll give you some experience of running with others.

🎅Xmas Katnap 🎅

[Hidden in reply to Katnap]

Thank you (Xmas) Katnap! 😁 Yes, I do have a very local parkrun right on my favourite running path.... I just need to get over this strange anti-social running hang up that I seem to have?! I can’t explain it because generally I am fairly sociable - but I think team sports must’ve just put me off doing things like this as a kid!!!

😂 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤦🏻‍♂️ ⚡️

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Fabulous run TS! 👏👏💥💥🏅🏅🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️ I just knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. Ah, the folly of youth 😂😂😂 Great to see how elated you are about smashing that 10k, though, and a superb time. I thought about it on Sunday but decided to be a good girl and stick to my plan of the Clumber Trust 10k a week on Sunday.

[Hidden in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie! Hahaa! I’m obviously just very predictable 😂😁 Oh gosh yes, that looked like a great Manor House and grounds for a run, that will be a fantastic finale to the plan. Take a couple of pics for us to have a look at when you go, they could do with putting a few more pics on their website 👍

[kwell39 Graduate10]

You are awesome sauce! Look at you smashing records with your 10K. Way to go!!

[Hidden in reply to kwell39]

Awesome sauce! I like that kwell... I’m going to start using that one ...just doesn’t quite work with my English accent though... needs to be said with an American accent ‘Awesome Sauce!’

...Nice badge by the way Elastigirl 😁 🙌 ⚡️

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

Well done! And it sounds like a great run. Do love headspace runs, they really give you something to think about.

[Hidden in reply to sunshinefish]

Thank you sunshinefish, yes they have definitely taught me a lot about what to do with my brain when I’m on a long run. I’m starting to find it easy to only think about what’s going on at that moment, with myself and my surroundings, feels great to just be in run mode and forget the chaos!

[sunshinefish Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yup, it is always good to live in the moment. It's good to know that with more use you can start to automatically just live in the moment, I need to do more headspace runs! Have been limited by the weather and not wanting to ruin my headphones!

[Jaz20 Graduate10]

Congratulations on the awesome 10k. That HM plan seems to be beckoning!

I also love the Headspace guided runs. I do daily Headspace meditations too and love a really meditative long run.

[Hidden in reply to Jaz20]

Thank you so much Jaz20, yes the HM plan is calling out to me, I never would’ve thought it 😄 Where does this stop...?! 😂

Aah yes, crawlhome has also recommended the headspace meditations. I must sign up and give them a go, it is something that I’ve always wanted to try - I’ll get on their website now and have a look 👍

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Well done u!! 10k !! 😁😁🏃🏃🏅🏅👍👍. Great time too and sounds like u enjoyed it 🎉🎉🎉

[Hidden in reply to Deals1]

Thanks very much Deals! Hope you’re ok 👌 I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure at the start if I’d like the long runs, but it turns out I love them 🖤

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Even better if u love em!!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Congratulations and well done TS - excellent time too! Sounds like a good route - sometimes that can really help. In terms of the Half and running with others, have you thought about parkrun? It's a good way in. Enjoy your achievement!! 😀

[Hidden in reply to JonathanP]

Thank you JP, yes this was supposed to be a 9K test run of the new route... but it had already got my approval half way round 😄

Aah! yes Parkruns, something I've manage to avoid for a good few months now - I keep on saying I'll go and then ...don't. Obviously my strangely wired brain is putting another irrational barrier up ...possibly the next job on my 'smash' list I think! 😀 Many thanks.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

As a lone runner myself, I sympathise, but time to bite the bullet I think! 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Congratulations on hitting your 10k distance ThunderSloth! 😊

Brilliant acheivement 👏👏👏👌😊x

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you so much Bluebirdrunner, What an amazing new power I have! I can't wait to try it out again next week. 😀

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Wow huge well done that’s superb... and exciting times ahead as your running journey progresses 🤗

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you so much Ju-Ju, your plan has shown me the way and given me the strength and confidence to get out there and grab it.

...I also think you're #amazeballs

[Becky1606 Graduate10]

WELL DONE THUNDERSLOTH 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Hidden in reply to Becky1606]

THANK YOU BECKY!!! 😃🙌⚡

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Nearly missed this ThunderSloth as I’m weaning myself off the internet during December, but had to say congratulations to you for your accidental 10k. Well done you. A change of name required methinks.

🏃‍♂️👏👏👏🎓🍾🥂🏅