Round about this time last year, when I was just about completing Week 4 of the Couch to 5k programme, I noticed signs going up around the village for the annual 5k/10k trail run. At that point I had still to complete the "infamous" 20 minute non-stop run that would be the climax of Week 5 and the idea that I might, just might, one day, be able to run 5k was still a seemingly unlikely aspiration (little did I know I was less than 5 weeks away from achieving it) and I set myself the goal of doing this year's 5k event.
Skip forward 12 months to today, and I was down to take part in the 10k version (I really did not imagine that this time last year). Sadly, due to the current COVID-19 situation, this year's run, like so many others, has had to be postponed (if not cancelled altogether). Since the run starts and ends more or less on my doorstep, I decided that I would run a version of it anyway.
Unlike last year's event, where the runners had to contend with a torrential downpour, I had almost perfect conditions; mild, a slight breeze, and the ground was reasonably firm and (almost unusually for this particular route) almost entirely puddle free. There have been occasions where I have almost had to wade sections of this path, but today my feet stayed dry.
While I did miss the excitement of being part of a crowd of 500 or so runners, I did enjoy the solitude and the sounds of nature. At one point I met one of my neighbours running in the opposite direction, but apart from him and a couple of dog walkers, I had the route completely to myself with just the birds and the occasional squirrel for company.
One hour and seven minutes later, and having set a few segment PBs on Strava, it was all over and my daily allowed outside time was over and my 31st 10k was in the bag (not bad for someone who a year ago wondered if he'd ever actually manage to run 5k). Whilst not the event I'd planned to do, it was still good to get out and run it anyway.
As always, stay safe...
A 10K afternoon plod 😁
10k today!
Hilly 10K done!
