Did it! 👊 Although I was disappointed when the clouds parted, revealing beautiful sunshine. ☀️☀️ I’d picked today as the forecast had promised grey and drizzly. The drizzly part was taken off the forecast yesterday - but that was ok, grey is pleasant to run in. But the grey disappeared too and left me running under blue skies. Most people love blue skies - I do as a rule, but not for running.
Anyway, I purposely started off slowly, knowing it would be a slog. Actual snails crossed my path (sweet things, I avoided several 🐌) and I chugged away happily for 12.5k, breaking no records, but pacing myself sensibly. I remember thinking at 9k “woohoo, half way”, then realising - but crikey, another 9k to go! 😳
I then reached 12.5k and my legs said “are you having a laugh? We want to stop”. Like my last long run, I fed them some jelly babies and bullied them into slow submission until I reached my 18k goal. 😀💪
Did I enjoy it? Not the last few kms, no. But being more stubborn than the stubbornest mule that ever lived, and realising I’d told you guys I would be running 18k, I carried on. Job done! 🎉
I seriously hope that the weather is cooler for my next long run which will be 19k (flipping Norah 😳). I’ll pootle somewhere short and pleasant on Friday as we’re away this weekend for a wedding - so no PR for me. 😩
Happy running everyone. ❤️
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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Thanks so much Al. 👍 I’ve been doing my long runs along a lovely towpath along the River Avon. I pass the rowing club where my husband spends most of his non-working life (thus giving me free rein to run as much as I like!) It’s more or less flat too, just a couple of inclines, and each “out and back” is 8k, so I know where I need to reach. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Oh my goodness cheeky; you really are going to make it to that HM distance aren’t you. Who would have known you would be a long distance runner when you started c25k. Well done that girl.
Ahh thanks Dexy, yes I believe I will. 😀🤞I’d love to have the inclination to do extra leg strengthening exercises, but I’m very naughty and I don’t, except for dog walking. My yoga is on the back burner as I have a painful rotator cuff (caused by yoga 🙄🙄).
But my breathing is 100% on these long slow runs, it’s my legs which give out first! 🙄
Enjoy your run-free weekend I know I’m going to miss PR terribly. 😩
🤞 & all being well I plan to do the Perkins great East run on Peterborough this October. At the end of the 10miler though I was seriously wondering if it is too soon..... But then after a couple of days rest it didn't seem quite as daunting, maybe after an 18k session I'll be doubting again.... It could be a long summer! 😂
I have every faith in you! It’s funny how the pain of the run subsides almost immediately, making you want to go back for more (like childbirth really .....! 😅)
I have a the Severn Bridge 10k on August 25th, then the GSR with some VRBs in October. 😀 Good luck with yours, and happy HM training! 🏃🏃
Cheers cheeky, I have the option of a couple of fairly local 10k's in Sept so I may test my pace at one of those in training for the HM & pick up an extra bit of bling along the way! 😁
Good luck with the Severn bridge event! You've definitely got that one these days! 🏃🏼♀️🏅
You’ll have to join Oldfloss, Katnap, Tailchaser, me and a couple of others at the Wild Wine Run in Burton on the Wolds on 15 September. 10k fun run around a vineyard with wine tasting and not too far from you 🍷🏃🏻♂️
😱😱😱 I'm speechless Cheeky!! That number is insane!! Cannot believe how incredibly well you've come along on your journey ~ absolutely amazing. Well done you!!!🦋🦋🦋
Thanks Linda, and yes I guess that’s sort of what I do. It’s funny that I think of anything under 10k to go is a doddle! Although those final kms are always end up being the hardest. 😀
Huge well done stretch those legs really well...a lovely steady pace too...maybe loosen the legs tomorrow...a spot of cross training? And a lovely weekend to look forward to!
I can’t wait, although with impending grandparenthood in September and the GSR in October, I’m not sure which event I’m going to enter. It does sound exciting - and daunting! 😳
Brilliant job CC. You are one determined runner!! I never doubted you for a second. I would be now worrying about having to go out tomorrow and do my long run as we agreed, but I had a change of plan; I went this morning as it was a nice soft (as in wet) start to the day and somehow it just felt right. I set the watch for 10k and plodded off, absorbing all the snail waves coming towards me from the south! I got to 13k and then thought "enough". My legs were getting a bit tight and why risk another injury? So I am a happy bunny too. Thanks for the inspiration, I feel like a long distance runner again, albeit trailing in your wake 😊🐌🐌🐌🐌🥇
Oh yesss, well done BC! 🏃🏃👏👏 It sounds like the perfect run and you were smart quitting while you were ahead. 😀
Mine did feel very long after 13k came and went, but having made a promise to you and everyone on here, determined stubborn little me soldiered on! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Great job... many congratulations on 18. I like sun, lots of sun, then a rain shower, lots of cloud and drizzle for the run itself, then some more of that sun!
Congrats on reaching 18k today and in the sun ☀️! Great job. You're doing so great! Fingers crossed for grey drizzly days for your next long run though 🤞
Wow! That is so impressive and rather daunting as I’m still struggling around 12k and have a HM in October. Think I’m going to investigate the jelly beans never been a fan but....! Well done you x👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻😍
Thanks CC, you’ll be fine for your HM, 12k is a great distance and you still have plenty of time. 👊
I find jelly babies easier to eat than jelly beans - you can nibble bits off as they’re bigger - but word of warning, keep them dry otherwise they turn into actual slugs. I know from personal experience! 😳😅
That sounds delicious!! Will definitely keep them dry!! 😂🤣 I’m still experimenting with belts and hydration carriers. I know a particular type was recommended but cannot find the thread now!! Need something soon to get used to x
I’ve just invested in an Aonijie hydration belt and bladder if that’s any interest to you. It has loads of pockets for keys, phone, jelly babies etc, and it’s comfy and light. 😀 I also have a FlipBelt, but I needed to be able to carry more water on these longer runs. 👍
I’m not sure of the actual model - it was the first one that popped up on Amazon, it had really good reviews and cost £25 ish I think. The bladder was a bit extra. I love it! 👍😀
Haha yes we do! Hope you like your hydration vest LL. I’d never heard of the brand until I got talking to a lady who had one at the Bristol Race for Life. She swore by it - and that was good enough recommendation for me! 😀
Aww thanks IP! You’re so right, tough love and bribery is the way to go. 💪 And I often tell my Garmin off for blatantly tells fibs about how far I have left to run towards the end. Those 0.01kms sure take a long time to tick down! 😅
Thanks JoJo. I’m definitely stubborn, and my accountability to all my VRBs makes me downright determined to achieve the goals I set myself. So it’s all down to you guys really. ❤️
She just keeps going and going and going! I want batteries like yours, cheeky! You're making fantastic progress, what determination you've got, just amazing 🙌💪
Thanks so much FGS. I started C25K mid June last year and graduated on August 18th. I was never a runner at all - I hated the thought of it - but that amazing programme flicked a switch and now I’m a total convert. ❤️
Thanks so much Runsome. I guess last year during C25K, the distances were short enough to just ride the heat out. With these longer runs I too find it takes its toll. Let’s do a cool temperature (running days only!) dance! 😅😀🏃
Sounds great. Mind you if I start dancing around the breeze I cause should cool it down a bit. Not so sure about the earth tremors, I’m not quite the twinkle toes.🕺😂
Wow you're doing amazingly well! Congratulations! I too plan runs for when I hope it will rain but am often thwarted haha! I'm back down to cautious 5k at the moment because of hip pain but as long as I can get out there and tootle around slowly I'm okay with that! Happy running!
I know, it’s not fair is it HS? Parts of the country are having deluges and parts have only had a couple of rain showers. I think we’d all like a happy medium! 💦☀️💦☀️
Good that you’re able to get out at least. Take good care of your hip and you’ll soon be back to full fettle. 👊💪😀
I have my stitches removed on Monday. My running meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I think the Tuesday maybe too soon so I’m praying I can go on Thursday x
Oh just wow!!!!! Those legs just keep on going my fabulous Duracell Cheeky. My god. 18k. Just amazing!!!! Amazing!!!! Amazing!!!! 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🥳🥳🥳👏👏👏👏👏.
I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been. You should see the state of me after just 30 minutes 😂. I am back in the park where I started going round in circles. I felt self conscious last night and couldn’t face running past the same set of cricket spectators for a 3rd time. They would have got the first aid bag out ! Must get over my fear of pavements again but just not ready yet ☹️
Gosh yes you must be very wary of them ....... but you’ll get there, you’re well on your way back and soon you’ll be whizzing past us all like at Southampton PR! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Haha, honestly well done and yes being stubborn is a big help with running I find! I'm in awe of your 18km. Not there yet but one day, I'll follow you there
You’ll definitely get there too CP2, and no doubt your legs will have more left in the tank at the end than mine did! I could have walked the last couple of km faster! But thank you, I’m pretty chuffed today! 😀😀
Great achievement! Pleased to see you’re still running 🏃♀️ we graduated at the same time. I’m still running too although run 6-7k 3 or 4 times a week on the treadmill. No desire for marathon running for me but you have such stamina to run that far and for so long. Well done x
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You are going to have such fun!
Another slow 5k
Virtual London Vitality 10000 Run 🏅And a Belated (5 Days late) Runniversary 10K 😁🏃♂️🎂🎉🏃♂️
Oh ‘eck, I’m slow!
First 10K race done! 
First 10K in 13 days - advice please!
