I knew from the moment I woke up that yesterday was going to be chaotic. I had dropped off to sleep the previous night with only one thing on my mind; tomorrow was going to be a long slow run day. Even before breakfast it became clear that the world had plans of its own for me. Mrs BC needed a lift into town to go to the eyelash parlour, parcel to collect from the post office, dog treats needed topping up and then Molly needed to go to the beach to fit in her walk before the tide came in. Lots of e.mails followed, people wanting information or advice, follow up phone calls required ...and so the morning slipped by. Then the pantry and fridge were bare; should we go out for lunch or go food shopping says Mrs BC. Barely discernible to the unattuned ear, but "go out for lunch" was definitely said with more enthusiasm than "go food shopping" ...so more time passed! When we returned more e.mails appeared....so it was 6pm before I started my pre run hot water bottle treatment on my knee. I was finally ready to go at about 6.30pm!Then I realised that the warmth of the day had suddenly gone, so I needed to find a warmer top, a rummage in the running drawer followed, and finally I set off, only to discover that asthma had decided to appear, so I had to return home for a spot of inhaling!!! It was starting took a bit gloomy; the sun was just a red disc dropping towards the horizon; did I need a headlamp?....no of course not, it's still summer isn't it? So off I went on my warm up walk to my starting point in the woods and I finally began running at 18.49.
If you can remember that far back, I was hoping for a long slow run before all of this faffage kicked in!!So off I went at a steady 7:06 average. I saw a few runners finishing their runs and the odd dog walker early on, but after that I was very much alone. The soft glow of evening descended into moonless gloom pretty quickly, as the sun dropped over the horizon/behind the hills. For much of the route trees create a tunnel over the trail, so it is quite a dark trail at the best of times. Night descended! I am perfectly relaxed in the woods at night. It throws up interesting surprises. At one point I saw the black outline of a largish creature on the path ahead of me; puma? lynx?........only in very fertile imagination. It was probably a fox or badger. Owls were hooting, bats were flying over the path, but Count Dracula was absent; probably having his own issues trying to get out of the house! It was one of those days.
By the time my watch said 11k I could just about see the ground beneath my feet and I started my cool down walk by the meagre light of my phone torch.
Still time for one bit of drama; what appeared to be a Dalek approaching rapidly from behind turned out to be just a cyclist wearing a head torch; somebody almost as mad as me! But, it was a good run. A good step back towards 10 miles, in fact only a Park Run short of target, and all completed with an average heart rate of 133 bpm. V02 max gave me back the point it deducted following my Monday hill run and my knee felt fine. So, I may even get to post again on the Marathon Running and Race Support site soon. I think I need to renegotiate my conditions of service, and I certainly need to dig out that head torch!!🙂 Happy running folks.
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Beachcomber66
Graduate10
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I really love this. That is a super heart rate over that distance too. A really good run that will put you in good stead for 10 miles. I finished a run Wednesday night at 8pm and I could see my reflective bits on my shoes and vest light up. It was so serene. You're certainly making real progress and hopefully you felt ok after too 😊
Wow, I’m super impressed that you got out at all after all that malarkey BC! The going out for lunch bit would have had me postponing until the next day anyway - especially with me running “empty” for the vast majority of the time (hence mornings).
I’m glad you didn’t encounter a lynx, puma or Dalek, and I’m so happy you enjoyed your 11k! You’ll be more than welcome back on Marathon/Race forum and it’ll be fantastic to hear that you’ve reached 10 miles again!
Brilliant stuff, you’re back well and good and your knee is behaving! Life is good for BC! 🎉🎊💥👏 🏃♂️
Love it 😊 Sometimes you just have one of those days. Sounds like a very satisfying 11k after all that. So glad you didn’t trip over anything in the dark!
Thanks Sandie. I didn't even think of a tripping risk, which is weird as I have been up to my neck in risk assessments lately. It was a very satisfying run. I decided that I had done enough runs trying to up the pace recently and that a bit of consolidation was called for. Strange to run without feeling the slightest bit out of breath. 10 k time is below 37 minutes now, so still a bit to go to get back into the 63 minute bracket, but I feel that I am gradually headed in the right direction. No doubt you have your post quarantine routine all planned out. Looking forward to the Vitality. 🙂
Thank you and congratulations on your 10 mile badge. I know that I am running better now because my mind wanders all over the place as I proceed instead of focusing on my knee. Long slow runs are definitely good for stamina. We will see how the (not) Park Run goes tomorrow! 🙂
Goodness, dark running already, well done you for keeping going. I need a long slow run this afternoon after vo2max dropping 2 points on wed following an easy flat field run, goodness knows why heart was at the "serious cause for concern" level the whole run. Happy running 🤗
Must be a technical glitch GH, you are as fit as a lop!! Asthma sometime messes with my heart rate, but usually I ignore it on the grounds that I don't want to frighten myself. You will soon grab those points back; pesky VO2 max !!🙂
How you still managed to get out there after all that Beachcomber66 I do not know.
Running through the woods in the dark must have been really spooky, especially when seeing silhouettes. Not only did you run 11k, but you deserve a medal for gallantry
No, it was fun Dexy. I probably lack imagination, but I am totally relaxed up there in the dark. Had to fit my run in yesterday so I could do Damienair’s 5 k tomorrow.
Thanks JP. The main thing is that running is now a source of enjoyment again rather than stress. I have to find a way of extending my running years for as long as possible. I am hoping that shorter stride and quicker cadence is the answer; doing well so far.
Yes, over the last couple of weeks I have realised (after 2.5 years running) that it's actually quite enjoyable to run slower rather than treating every run as a race I need to win (or at least get placed)!😜
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Last 11k was January 2022!! 
Fun run abandoned
Sunday morning 11k
Just for fun: what’s your most unused running item/ gadget? 
