My welcoming committee

[Amblerman]

Just back from my longest run ever and feeling hot but elated. The picture shows the excited fans cheering me as I stumbled a bit over the last few hundred metres. Well actually they didn't move at all and made no noise. To be fair they seem to have got social distancing cracked though. I manged to run for 16k at 6'30 pace and enjoyed most of it. I have taken a few lessons away from the run. Number one is to go earlier in the morning. The heat in the last 5k was getting a bit much. Number two, and most importantly, I need to take more water with me on my longer runs. One carry bottle wasn't enough. I think I will invest in one of those bladder whatsits. Who knows some people might mistake me for an ultra runner, well at least when I'm standing around.

[Womangolfer Graduate10]

Fantastic achievement. I love the cows. I usually have sheep bleating at me.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great effort running 16k at that pace in this heat. Shame on the cows for not mooing you over the finish line🤣 happy running 🤗

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

That’s a cracking pace, AM. Looks like those cows had given up and started walking in the shade!

[Amblerman Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

They don't move at any time, they are made of concrete. Art in their day apparently.

[Leosmit Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Great run and fast! Great achievement.

[Amblerman Graduate10 in reply to Leosmit]

Thank you. It was just one of those good days when the split times were almost consistent for each 1k. Nice flat route helped!

[MrsRDj Graduate10]

Great pace - well done! Are they inflatable cows?!

[Amblerman Graduate10 in reply to MrsRDj]

No they are the infamous concrete cows which just happen to be my five minute cool down walk from home.

[MrsRDj Graduate10 in reply to Amblerman]

They are brilliant!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’ve heard about the concrete cows 🐄 🐄 🐄 In a certain new town but first time I’ve seen them. They are obviously well maintained. Well done for your run - do tell me you stretched it to 16.1k - you’d get a 10 mile badge

[Amblerman Graduate10]

Their state of maintenance varies. One time somebody painted them pink overnight. Another time a papier mache bull was introduced to the herd in a very compromising position.

I hadn't thought about 10 miles to be honest. I managed 16.02 k only. Have to leave targets for the future

[David_G]

Great run Amblerman! I use a running backpack when I’m running over 10k, particularly in this heat. You can pick one up on Amazon made by Aonijie for £20 to £30. I use the smaller front bladders for runs up to 16k (10 miles) and the big bladder too for runs over that. It takes a bit of getting used to running with the extra weight and sloshing water sound but you soon get used to it! I hope that’s some help.

[Amblerman Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Hi thanks very much for the advice. That is really useful as it is always good to have advice based on real experience.

[Raspberrypink Graduate10]

Well done on that distance. Great achievement in this heat 👍🏼

[Amblerman Graduate10 in reply to Raspberrypink]

Thanks very much for the kind words. Just one of those days when I was running well. The goal was to run 14k again but I just felt good and carried out a bit longer. I expect the next time out will be more of a struggle if it follows the usual pattern.

[Raspberrypink Graduate10]

Fingers crossed for next time 🤞🏼

[Razouski]

Sounds like a fabulous run and how moo-bing to have such a welcome.