The utter joy of a 10k pootle ❤️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks]

Thank goodness for cooler weather. 👍 I enjoyed every step (well 98% 🙃) of my run this morning. It was around 13 degrees, the sun was shining crisply - none of that muggy malarkey - and I’d already decided today would be perfect for a relaxed 10k. 🏃‍♀️

The very fact I can use the words “relaxed” and “10k” in the same sentence is testament to this forum, by the way, so thank you all! 😘

I ran dogless. She’ll get a walk later. A walk where I can feel righteous, watching all the runners knowing mine’s in the bag today! Instead I set off fairly early to get the full benefit of the cooler morning. It was delightful. I felt really good and was able to enjoy my surroundings, passing my husband’s second home (the rowing club!) and saying cheery good mornings to several dog walkers and a handful of fellow runners.

This is the route I use for my long runs and I fast forwarded in my mind to the next time I’ll be here - a couple of weeks’ time for my HM distance attempt. 😳 Hastily erasing that thought, I carried on and completed 10k in a pleasing time (for me, obviously!) I shaved 14 minutes off the scorching Severn Bridge race and returned to my usual ballpark time. 👍 The heat that day was something else. 🥵

I then did something which made me feel awesome. After walking for a few moments, I jogged very slowly most of the way back to the car! How is it possible for little old me to run 10k and still be able to do that? It was epic. 😀😀😀

Severn Bridge PR for me (birth of grandchild depending of course!) on Saturday. I hope you’re all having fab runs this week. 👍🏃‍♀️🏃❤️

[grumpyoldgirl]

Brilliant! Imagine that, a 10k pootle, who'd have thought, isn't it amazing what we can do. Well what YOU can do, anyway 😁👏👏

Half marathon? Piece of cake!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

It’s incredible isn’t it GOG? We’ve all achieved so much! 😀

Not sure about the HM piece of 🍰 comment though! 😅😅

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Little old you is amazing cheeky. It sounds like a lovely run and I think you are speeding up. Your next Bristol 10k will be sub 75 mins.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, I’d like to think I can shave a little off my times - it’s certainly feeling easier running the distance now. 😀

Good luck to you both in the New Forest! 🏃‍♀️🏃🏅

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Glad you enjoyed your relaxed 10k run today, I think by running a 10K every two weeks with a shorter run inbetween will make a 10k more easier to run the more often you run it, I intend to run my second 10k next Wednesday morning.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Absolutely right AlMorr. 10k doesn’t faze me at all any more now that I’m running longer distances. That’s what I find so unbelievable - it used to seem soooo far!

Aren’t we all doing well? 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍 🏃

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Sounds perfect 💕

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

It really was Sask! Autumn running is the best 🍂 🍁 🏃‍♀️☀️

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Lovely, I can't ever see me thinking 10k is a pootle, but I did have a pleasantly cool, drizzly run today. Bliss💕

I'm sure you will have a great HM.😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Aren’t the words cool and drizzly magical now Jell? Glad you had a great run too! 😀👍

The HM will be a loooong way I can tell. I’ll need to dial my pace back to uber snail! 🐌 😅

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Nice run and nice time...pootle indeed! 10ks have become the old 5k for you 😊. You are in a really lovely patch; long may it continue 👍👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC! All my favourite runs are at pootle pace which would explain why I’m not a fan of intervals! 😅

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

10k pootle? Can't imagine I will ever use those two words in the same sentence! Amazing. Well done you!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Aha, just you wait Gwenllian. I thought the same a short while ago! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[BarbieW Graduate10]

Well done , sounds brilliant!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BarbieW]

Thank you Barbie. It was a gorgeous morning for a run. 🍁☀️🏃‍♀️👍

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Hi cheeky, that looks a lovely place to run. We runners must be one of the few groups grateful to see the start of the slightly cooler weather.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

I think you’re right Coddfish. I often think of that when I’m overjoyed that the forecast is grey and drizzly! 🌧 🏃‍♀️👍

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

So long as the wind is low. Especially here in Southsea.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Ahh yes, that’s true! 💨💨💨

[Franglaise Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Runners and definately my doggies.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

10k pootles are the best!🙂🏃🏽‍♀️ Sounds lovely - I always find my times improve as the weather cools down too!👍💪🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I agree Sandra. Everything just feels better with a nip in the air! 😀👍

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Fantastic. The early bird catches the worm. I bet you've felt great all day. I'm going to attempt my first ever 8k tonight. Wish I'd gone this morning in the sunshine ☀️ x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thanks! I love early runs, and I intend to make the most of them before it starts getting too dark. Boo. 👎

Good luck with your 8k. You’ll smash it, and hopefully love every moment too! 😀😀

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hope so. Setting off now 🤞

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Report back won’t you? 😀😀

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You were right! I did it. It took me 58 mins but I did it. I watched the sun sinking and setting over the trees and the barley and corn fields. It was lovely. I feel invigorated. I'm so pleased I saw you post tonight, it really encouraged me to get out there and just do it! 🏃‍♀️😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Oh wow that’s brilliant! I’m so glad you had a wonderful run too - your description sounded beautiful. 😍 Well done! 👏👏👏👏👏

[316neil Graduate10]

Hey up! Well done you And well done for the jog back too, meant that you got your pacing right I’d say! Watching your progress has been lovely and an inspiration!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to 316neil]

Hey thanks Neil! So kind of you to say I’ve been an inspiration! Once a snail always a snail, but it suits me. 😀🐌👍🏃‍♀️

It did feel special being able to jog back to the car I must admit! 😅

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

I think you pootled out a bit earlier than I pootled out as I took the dog for a walk first. It was a little warmer at 10ish than 9ish, still nice and cool, but with blue sky and sunshine. Lovely 😊Wish I could say the same about the run but, hey, 10k is 10k and I now have 4/5 activities for the first week of the Strava Great Escape, as well as my September 10k virtual badge 😃🏃‍♀️🏅

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

You, Sandie, are awesome! Kudos for doing your 10k after walking the dog. I need to do my long runs first thing or they won’t happen. I walked mine this afternoon and almost felt like having another little trot - but I resisted! 😅

Go you with your activities. You’re nailing them! 👊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Haha, amazing, feeling like breaking into a trot even after 10k! To be fair, walking a 13 year old dog is more of a warm up than anything 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Oh wow, is he 13? He looks amazing! ❤️ 🐕 Yes, sometimes a slower dog is harder to walk than a pup - at least pups and younger dogs exercise themselves! 😀

[Franglaise Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Two of my 3 little monkeys exercised themselves playing with a snake on our,walk....they didnt half jump when it stopped playing dead and slithered off into a stone wall....another reason im looking forward to cool weather and there are less of them!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Franglaise]

A snake! 🐍 Yikes, do you get lots of those? I’ve seen a couple on one of my trail routes, but that was in my pre running days. I’m not sure what my dog would do! 🐕😳🐍

[Franglaise Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Too many...mainly harmless apart from 3 types...i am trying to learn to love them but it isnt happening anytime soon.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

He doesn’t do badly for an old pooch, even if he is stone deaf! Main problem with him is he just loves to stop and sniff every 10 seconds. Maybe I should do intervals with him 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Awesome, pooch-led intervals! You’ve got something there Sandie! 😅😅🐕

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Fantastic Cheeky. What a run. Well done you. Isn't it wonderful how far we've come since we started. Carry on enjoying 👍😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you Baddie! Oh yes we’ve certainly come a long way. Isn’t it amazing? Go us. 👊👍🏃‍♀️

[Couchpotato2]

That’s fab and that little jogette wld have been the perfect warm down. It’s amazing how fast we recover now we’ve done it for a bit. I think that’s were I see the most improvment

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks CP2, yes I think the same. My breathing recovers instantaneously and my legs not long after. Fantastic isn’t it? 😀🏃‍♀️👍

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Sounds lovely Cheeky. Let us know when grandchild arrives! 🚼 🎉

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks Jonathan, it was fantastic. 😀 And yes, I’ll let you know when I become a grandma! 👍😀

[Franglaise Graduate10]

Your run looks,and sounds beautiful. I know exactly what you mean when you amaze yourself being able to do a 10k relaxed run! Great isnt it? And extra jogging....super.

The weather makes,a HUGE difference...it is like someone has flicked a switch on me now and I am LOVING running rather than doing it and enjoying the after effects....I look forward to run days now and going to add a 4th day.

Best of luck with hm....that distance is my next goal....and a grandchild too....you got it all going on there girl! How exciting.....Enjoy and bonne chance....good luck! x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Franglaise]

Thanks so much Franglaise! It sounds like the majority of us have been looking forward to cooler temperatures. It makes running seem “almost” effortless! Not sure I’ll be saying that when running 21.1k shortly, but do it I will, as slow as necessary! 🏃‍♀️

We’re all very excited about the impending birth! 👏👏

[MsLegs Graduate10]

You are Inspiring, I’m sitting at my desk and thinking how far can I run this morning. Must go and get ready now and find out! 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to MsLegs]

Yesss RP! Have a fantastic run, I’m glad I inspired you! Take it steadily and enjoy it - and of course tell us all about it! 😀👏👍

[Hidden]

Well done on your run! Hope your dog isn’t too upset missing out too. 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

She did give me “the look” as I left the house without her, but she got a nice walk later in the day. 👍🐕

The run was lovely, thanks! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

Wow that sounds fantastic, I can totally imagine it from your description. I hope to run like that one day! Lovely photos

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Aww thanks Rainbow! I’m just a trundler, so I’m willing to bet you’ll definitely be able to do a run like that if you build up slowly. I find them so enjoyable. ❤️

[Hidden]

Yes I will get there. I have a sore achilles at the moment and don’t know what to do. I can walk fine but it still hurts a little going up and down stairs so not sure if I need to wait until stairs are ok before running again. Have only had tightness before.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’d definitely recommend not running on it until you’re totally pain free. Maybe continue with your walking and see how it goes. Have you had it checked out? You might be given some exercises to aid healing and generally strengthen your achilles. 🤞 for you to get back running soon. 😀

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hi. No I haven’t had it checked out. I will see how I go the next few days. I have found lots of exercises on line so will do them.

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. Nothing snapped as such so think it’s maybe a strain.

My runs this week were slow and steady so not sure what happened, I certainly didn’t feel anything.

It’s frustrating as I haven’t missed any runs since starting 13 weeks ago! Oh well, the running will wait and better to look after my health.

Just about to watch The Great North Run which will inspire me! 😊 Thanks

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

You’re doing everything right and being sensible, so I’m sure you’ll be up and running again before too long. You’re right - the runs will wait! 👍

Oh yes, must catch some of the GNR! How wonderful to be doing that. I’m doing the GSR at the end of October. More palatable at “only” (😳) 10 miles! 😅🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Wow good luck for that. I have a crazy urge to sign up for the GNR next year. It’s the 40th anniversary. I think that every year even thought I had never even run before.

My grandmother died of motor neurone disease after suffering for 10 years. I didn’t really get to know her so have always wanted to do something special in her memory.

What do you think, shall I sign up in a mad moment?? 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yesssss! Absolutely do it, the moment the entries open! You’ll be running for a great cause, one very personal to you, and you have a whole year to train!

Absolutely 100% no doubt you should do it! 👊👍👏😀❤️💪

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’m on the motor neurone website is and can sign up with them now for £20.

I live in Winchester so it would be a bit of a road trip as well. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

All the more exciting! Can’t wait to follow your progress! 👏👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

OMG i’ve Just seen that you’ve signed up for the London Marathon! Wow good on you!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I did it in a fit of over-enthusiasm after watching it on tv this year. You have no idea how much I’m hoping I DON’T get a place! 😩😅😩 If I do, I’ll need to get my skates on (ooo, there’s an idea 🤔 😅) and start training!

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That’s fantastic well done. The only reason i’m not thinking of doing the ballot is that I will have talked myself out of it by then!

Is the only difference that you don’t pay to enter?!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I even paid, and I opted to not get a refund if I don’t get in! I get over excited sometimes! 😅😅

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me too. I’ve just signed up!!!! 🤣🤣🤣. Better get my foot sorted. Have a happy day.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Fantastic, good for you! Enjoy your Sunday! 😀😀

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Sounds idyllic cheekychipmunks and a perfect start to a Sunday morning, the weather is perfect again today, lovely and sunny but, like you say, none of that muggyness. You will smash that HM, circumstances allowing and I'm sure we'll all feel like we were right there with you when you tell us all about it...well done Cheeky

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Ahh thanks MC - it was actually on Thursday I did that run, but yes it was an amazing start to the day. There’s something joyous about getting out early and knowing you can feel proud and righteous for the rest of the day. 😀👍

Yes I’ll *hopefully* be reporting back with good news on the HM attempt. I’m running it with UpTheStanley on the 18th, all being well - albeit in different parts of the country! He’ll fly his, I’ll trundle mine! 😅😅

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Ooops, sorry, for some reason I'm not getting some of the posts on the actually day!! I'll have to look at my settings...I can see now that it says 3 days ago 🙄...wells I'm still glad you got lots of joy out of the run! Your HM will be amazing no matter whether you fly, trundle or hop...I'm just watching the GNR on TV and wishing I was there...maybe some other time 😊...happy sunday x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Yes it’s so inspiring watching amazing runners on tv isn’t it MC? I certainly wouldn’t rule it out, although it’s a bit of a hike from Bristol!

Have a great Sunday too! ❤️

[skysue16 Graduate10]

That 10k pootle sounds just delightful! Yes, it is wonderful to think back to the early days of C25k. I remember working out how far 5k was and saying to my hubby 'I'll never manage to run that far!'.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Oh yes SS, that’s so true! That first 5 minute run seemed like an eternity! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Runsome Graduate10]

What a happy post it’s great to be out there doing it and you are definitely doing that. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Runsome, aren’t we lucky to have running in our lives? Especially this time of year. 👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😀

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yep😀👍