I just ran 15k! I didn't know I had it in me.

Hello lovely friends,

My very lovely best VRB Sadie-runs "strongly" suggested that I should post about this, so I am

Well, it wasn't raining, it was a little chilly, but on my day off I felt like a bit of a longer run today, so I set off to do the 11k route I did the other week, up to Disley along the main road, turn off, down a big hill, up a big hill, down a bigger hill, and along the canal. I was intending to turn off down my "usual" canal when I got back to Marple, but I was feeling good, better than I should have been actually, because I had to stop for a couple of minutes to talk to a couple out walking who had lost their dog into the woods. I felt I should at least listen to the details so I could actually do something if said dog did turn up. Sadly it didn't, I really hope they got it back though, they seemed really nice.

The little break did help me to recover a bit though, and gave me a boost of energy, so when I got to Marple, and I had a choice between quagmire towpath or dry pavement, I opted for the latter, and ran down a massive hill, down the road, to Rose Hill station which is the start of the Middlewood Way. I know some other runners on here will know that bridleway well, but it can be rather boring, as it's a closed railway line, mostly in cutting.

Oh - exciting, soon after I'd left the station on the Middlewood way, an older runner turned out a few hundred yards in front of me, seeming to go reasonably fast, but I noticed that I wasn't losing him into the distance. Every couple of minutes he would slow to a walk for a bit, and this happened several times. Some sort of interval run clearly, and I wondered if he was doing Couch to 5k? I could have stopped to ask him, but the temptation to overtake was too great, so I did eventually pass him, though it took me about 3k from first seeing him.

I reached the bridge with the main road at about 12.5k, and I had a choice: run back up the main road and home (under half a mile) or push on to 15k. I knew I didn't have to do much more to hit that target, but it's a goal of mine, and I've even been brave enough to share it on the weekly post thing. So I continued on, though High Lane station (as was), like a train of old, only slower and with less steam coming out of me, and just before I reached Middlewood station, I took the path which led back up hill towards home, part of my more recent 5k route.

I ran up the main road as far as the canal bridge, and I was at 14.3k. There was absolutely no way I was going to stop there, so I ran round the park a bit and then ran home, reaching the magic 15k just in time for a brief cool down walk. According to Strava, my moving time was 1:42:54, and I climed for 92m apparently, not to mention some brutal downhill stretches.

But, I did it, and although I got a bit bored on the Middlewood way, it was by and large fun, and with a bit of lovely stretching before and after, I actually feel pretty good.

I'm starting to wonder... as I seem to be heading for the HM distance, and I posting on the wrong forum now? Just wondering!!

See you all soon, run safe everyone.

Neil

p.s. No pics today, was too busy running and trying to find absent canines!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Neil, you’re inspirational! You describe your runs in such detail and you’re so modest! I’d be leaping around, millions of emojis and virtual whoops and generally getting over excited if I had achieved what you have!

Please don’t leave us, or at least if you do please check in here often. I follow the HM forum, but wouldn’t dare post on it. I wouldn’t feel worthy, especially as I’ve openly admitted that 10k is my limit. 🐌

What a great run that was though, and good for you talking to the people who’d lost their dog. Being a dog owner, I’d be beside myself if mine went missing. 🐕 ❤️

So well done! Thanks for sharing, and I hope you’re having a lovely relaxing afternoon now! 🏃🏃🏃

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I'm just me, cheeky Thank you for the lovely comments, I really appreciate the encouragement. I tend to have a bit of a negative view of myself. I'm working on it, but the encouragement really does help.

I would certainly miss this forum, so I don't think I'd leave, but I might post on the HM forum too. I don't know, I don't like change!! If we didn't change though, I'd still be on the couch, and 5k would be a pipe dream.

Oh - for what it's worth, 5k was always going to be my limit. Just saying

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

You absolutely don’t need to feel negative about yourself if your running is anything to go by! Keep going as you are and I can see HM in your very near future and maybe even the big M! 🏃💪😀

Hmmm, me running behind 10k? I don’t think there are enough daylight hours to accommodate my snail pace if I run any further ..... 🐌🏃‍♀️😅

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Well done Neil!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃❤️🏃‍♂️💥💥

I think we can post on either forum, but you’re well ahead of the main HM plan roseabi’s running if you want to join in and head that way! 😊

[Hidden in reply to mountaindreamer]

Why thank you mountaindreamer I'd love to do Abi's plan, but the trouble is I think I'd struggle with the time commitment. If it was summer, and I didn't work an hour's drive away, and didn't have my kids every other weekend, I'd jump at it, I really would. I love the idea of the structure it provides too, I just know I'd struggle with the time, especially over the winter months.

Might be worth popping my head round the door though, eh?

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’d not worry too much about not having time to follow the whole plan. My husband will be running the HM with me in May (but much faster!) and he’s just going to gradually increase his long run. You can just check the plan out, and roseabi’s strength work suggestions etc, for ideas and fit things around what works best for you.

I started at 15k, which means using the plan I’ll hopefully be up to HM quite quickly. (It looks like I’ll now need to plan in “neck flare-up” issues though, but I’ve tonnes of time spare before my HM...) I think the most important thing I’ve picked up from the plan is to do just one long run a week, and to cycle this back to just 10k every few weeks. I’m hoping that will help to keep me off the IC! ❤️

[Hidden in reply to mountaindreamer]

That makes perfect sense to me, and having had my own brushes with the IC in the past, I'm all for keeping off it, as it looks remarkably like the couch

I will certainly check out the other forum actually, maybe ask Abi's advice.

Might see you on the other side

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I like hanging around on both sides! We do 10ks, we do races...who says we have to choose! 😃❤️

[Goforitmama Graduate10]

Fantastic! Great post! Well done on your epic run! Now you have a new long distance. That’s just fab.

I love reading your posts, I don’t mind where you post, but please just post.

I think that running this time of year is so much easier than running in the summer heat, it’s nowhere near as draining.

Happy running my friend.

[Hidden in reply to Goforitmama]

Thank you, that’s such a sweet thing to say. I’ll certainly keep posting for sure. Just not sure I could bear to leave this forum, everyone is so kind and lovely, it’s just nice to have some positivity in my life!!

[Hidden in reply to Goforitmama]

Oh and ideally for me about 12c outside for running, not too hot, not too cold, I can go running in shorts, and won’t end up a sweaty mess!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

What a run! I know most of the places you mentioned, though I’m not familiar with the closed railway line... how many did Marple need??

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! The middlewood way is the old closed railway line from Rose Hill, Marple though to Macclesfield. From Rose Hill it’s still open in the other direction. The main Marple station is still there. Google it!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I pass both stations a few times a week, but I don’t do trains so know little of how they connect up!

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Well as far as I can tell, the Rose hill line joins with the line that comes from Marple and then heads into Manchester. Remind me - just how local are you?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’m in Glossop.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

High Lane There's some great running to be had round our way isn't there, especially if you like the hills!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah... you gotta like hills for sure! The scenery is wonderful though. Of course I look towards Kinder Scout some days and just know I have to run over it. I’m also being coerced into the Marple Beer Run next August.. under protest of course.

Same people keep tempting me with Equinox 24 too... I like the idea, but no way I’m running it in less than an 8 😂

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Equinox 24 sounds scary!!! Now the Marple Beer run sounds interesting, and definitely warrants further investigation, though I'm not sure I'd want beer after a run, I'm usually a cup of tea kind-of-guy. I'll never forget the first couch to 5k session when Laura suggested I go and have a glass of water. Sod that, I thought. Kettle on

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

That’s ok... the beer is during the run 😂. I’m usually on tea after a run, unless I need a grape juice... whatever I have it tastes mighty fine though.

Yeah... the 24 is certainly on my list, I’ve decided that my events need to be at least as crazy as me. Marathon du Medoc 2020 is my big target, even injured I can do some training for that one 😂

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

So proud of you, buddy. You do realise you are just 6km away from a half marathon, don’t you?!?! Just sayin’. You really are going from strength to strength and are such an inspiration to me. And a good pal. 😘 I love reading your run reports, and this one was very special.

Sadie-runs xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Awwww thanks Sadie! I love having my own personal cheerleader, albeit one who occasionally has to show me some tough love It's a funny thing, the running journey, isn't it? I find I achieve a certain level like 5k, or 10k, and I have to get used to that, let it become normal, and then I can move on further. I'm definitely a distance runner rather than a speed runner though, that's for sure.

Yes, the fact that I am 6.1k away from HM distance (the 0.1km is important Sadie, come on love!!) has not escaped my attention. It's an awfully long run though. I have to be honest, today's was a little boring in places. The Middlewood Way is great, but there's not a lot of variation. I guess not having a suitable run route isn't really an excuse not to go for it, is it? Maybe in the new year. Maybe

Thanks for being so supportive, I love reading your run reports too, they give me something to aspire to xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😁😁😁 Talking of tough love, I’m with Richard. Build up from here slowly, no leaps of 3k at a time, right?!

Now for some cheerleading: “Give me an “N”! N! Give me an “E”! E! You know the rest...👏👏👏

Talking of long runs and boredom, I use a mix of Podcasts and music - first 45 mins podcast (Running Commentary is good fun) and the rest of the run, music.

You’re welcome. 😁 xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Good grief, you're brutal, you!!! Still love ya though

Just for the record, Sadie dear, today's was only a leap up of between 1.5 to 2k you know xxx

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Well done Neil. Amazing run! 👍👍

Make sure you keep in mind your gradual distance increases so you don't do too much too quickly.

After my 10k first time around I ended up causing myself harm in my achilles and I think it was because I pushed it up too quickly before my body was ready for it. I am hoping to push towards HM distances into next year but going to do it gradually this time.

Keep us informed how it goes off you do push it up. 👍👍

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Hey thanks Richard Yes - I've learned my lesson with the distance I think. My previous furthest was 13.something k I seem to remember and that was a while ago. I am getting better at reading my body actually, and today just felt right, both before and after. I'm not in pain, I can even still walk, it's all good

I certainly will keep you informed though, you folks on here are all really great

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

That's great! Well done. Please don't tell me the Middlewood way is boring, it's one of my goals to run it. Looks like you're well on the way to HM 👍👍👍

[Hidden in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you!! Don’t get me wrong, compared to roads the Middlewood way is great, from Marple to Middlewood is also a slight incline, so it’s good for improving stamina too. I’ve not been further than Higher Poynton, but I do fancy giving it a try.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Let's have a Middlewood Way run next year and invite all the C25Kers

[Hidden in reply to BaddieThePirate]

That sounds fun actually!

[Scobs]

Well done.

[Hidden in reply to Scobs]

Thank you! I might just have a few niggles left from it, but having done that feels fantastic!!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Nicely done Neil 👏👏👏👏. It's great when everything falls into place and you just have one of those runs. You can post on either forum. I find I post here more than the HM forum, despite running over 10k now but it depends on what I'm posting about. Huge congrats, bask in the glory of your achievement, and before you know it, you'll be posting about reaching HM distance.

[Hidden in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you so so much! I know what you mean about the HM, I strongly suspect I will at least show my face in the forum soon. Watch out for me!!

[Katnap Graduate10]

If you're unsure which forum to post on... Do both! 😸

Congrats on making your landmark distance and good luck with building up to HM distance!

🎅Xmas Katnap 🎅

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

OMG Hidden ...this is amazing...15k??!! 15k??!! You are like the bionic man!! This is really, really making me want to get my trainers on right now & just keep on running!! Wow, just wow...you are a inspirational runner & a good friend...go Neil x