Hello you lovely running beings, I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sun. We had visitors so spent a lot of it on the beach and swimming in the sea. I would have liked to have run yesterday under those dark clouds and in the cool, but optician’s appointment and other stuff stopped that. I’m in the lovely situation where I was so short-sighted that as I age, my eyesight is getting better, while everyone else finds it is getting worse.
So today, an early alarm and UpTheStanley was in his running kit and produced a cup of tea while I was still thinking of getting out of bed. What a lovely chap he is. Breakfast eaten with half a banana, hydration vest fitted and bladder with zero mojito mix sorted. Running hat and sunglasses. All tech synced and out the door.
It seemed nice and cool with a gentle westerly when we did our warmup up walk through canoe lake park to the prom . We set off together at 8:20. Stanley was intending to run 14km at race pace while I wanted to do 15km at snail pace so we were only together for a few steps. I headed into the wind towards Old Portsmouth and as I came to the entrance of Portsmouth harbour this container ship accompanied by tugs fore and aft sounded his fog horn several times to alert other vessels of his arrival. I nearly jumped out of my running shoes it was so loud!
About turn and ran the full length of the prom and headed to the Hayling Ferry. It was getting hotter all the time but I was sipping at the water every few kms and ate a fruit pastille for a sugar surge and nibbled at my home made energy bar along the way. I’d resisted the temptation to nip into the loos as I wanted to prove I could do my 10k race next week without stopping- success. I did pop in on the return journey though at around 11.4k - good old auto-pause. I was now on the final route of the Great South Run and was running into the wind, which is just what runners normally face on the day. As I was running my 15th k I was getting a niggle on the outside of my knees, so I walked a little and then picked it up again. Instead of running all the way to the the GSR finish line I turned away at the parkrun finish and headed back towards home, somehow missing Stanley as he was walking to the Beach Cafe to meet me having already showered and changed. So 15.09 km in 2hrs 4mins (not including loo break) which looks good for my 10 mile forecast of 2 hrs 15.
Exercises done , Epsom salts bath enjoyed, fresh clothes, bacon butty consumed, and then off to the hairdressers clutching water bottle. Tea and cake celebration at the Beach Cafe with Stanley and Oldgirlruns followed later. After all I did burn 996 calories according to Mr. Garmin.
Phew - now collapsed on the sofa. I am not going to be attempting a PB at parkrun on Saturday as I will be in fancy dress and enjoying a walk/run . Next week will be tapering for the New Forest 10k on the 8th September. So my 10 mile attempt will probably be mid September.
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate10
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Thanks Sandie, I was thinking of what you said about not wanting to do 15 and then 16 and I was thinking the same thing. If it hadn’t been for my knees I would definitely have been ok for the 10 mile. More exercising to be done while I am pre-race tapering next week.
I guess you are busy sorting out your house for departure now. Bon voyage.
Not worth risking your knees, definitely not! We’ve had a slight change of plan and are currently on the M25 😫🤬 as we’re sneaking a last weekend of the holidays camping trip to Shropshire with the grandchildren. Only 8 miles to Telford parkrun but stepdaughter doesn’t want to do it and OH doesn’t want to pack everything away to take me. So near, yet so far 😢
Thanks saskalliecat. I was imagining the cheering crowds as I was on the finishing straight today. I have watched it in all weathers cheering people on ever since I moved here. I never thought I would ever run it myself. I couldn’t have got here without this forum and my wonderful virtual running buddies
That was a brilliant run for you today Dexy, a very descriptive post from you, enjoy your parkrun in fancy dress on Saturday morning, good luck for your New Forest 10k on the 8th September.
After my first 10k yesterday I did not have any aches or pains anywhere so this morning as usual on a Thursday I joined the fast section of my regular walking club and walked once round the loch that I ran around 3 times yesterday, I was congratulated by my friends today when I showed them the chart of my run on my Smartphone.
Thank you Al, I think I may have a few aches tomorrow despite my post run exercises but will be ok for parkrun I’m sure. The walking club sounds good fun for your rest day.
Thank you dear beachcomber- I had to wait a long time for that cake today but I’m sure it tasted all the better for it. I think there may be one or two pics and posts on Saturday 🤣🤣- enjoy yours too.
Yes. I got up to 8k and stopped as soon as the pain started. Feels ok now; I might be lucky. Gallons of water needed I think. Legs felt like lead. Running shop lady said she has had loads of hydration sales this week...also tried to talk me into doing a 15 mile moor top run on 5 October. Wonder if she is a pal of cheeky’s 🧙♀️ ⚡️⚡️?
Great run, nice post and lovely pics! You seem to be preparing for the 10 miles in fine style. And you have all the gear as well! Good luck with the New Forest 10k. 😀👍
Thanks , the hydration vest is not needed on my normal runs to 10k but I’ve used it for 14 and 15k in summer heat and it’s nice to be able to sip water when I want, and carry bits and pieces in the numerous pockets.
I'm giggling because the only tag you have is "Epsom salts" 😂😂 love it!
That's sounds, and looks, like a fab run Dexy, good for you. Every run is running credit and it all adds up. But you're more than ready for the 10 miles.
Wow, the mileage is really building. I seem stuck on niggles and faffage at the moment. A real pity as my training to 10k in the spring went so well, but I haven’t run for longer than an hour at a time since then for a variety of reasons and excuses. I struggle whenever it is hot. After my parkrun failure last Saturday, I didn’t run until the cooler weather of Wednesday, when I felt 6k was the most I could risk in the new shoes. The switched insole seems ok so theoretically I can start to advance again in the new shoes. Realistically I need to rebuild from 7 or 8k, not the 10 or 12k I had hoped to be solid at. With a trip up north / Scotland to work around, I might run out of time for the GSR. Mr C is doing great though, he ran 12k on Wednesday.
It has been really hot here Coddfish and last weekend at Hanworth, so it is understandable. I am sure that once it cools down, you will be able to increase your distance to 10k with no problem. Well done Mr C on his 10k.
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New Years 10 km race 
What a Great Result - and Parkrun wasn't bad either!
Quest Target achieved, 10k of continuous running. 
