Vitality 10,000

[Jools2020]

Well, I only went and did it! I had already decided to do this run today. The weather was set to be reasonable, I had been careful not to overdo it with my runs this week, the time was now!

I didn’t expect to feel nervous. I was running on my own, for goodness sake! Maybe it was a bit of excitement, too. This was the first real ‘event’ I was running in. I hadn’t expected it to be a virtual event - my original dream was to do a Park Run; but here I was, setting out to do a 10K instead.

I had fixed my number onto my long sleeved T-shirt with magnets and that worked really well. Decided not to wear my lightweight running jacket, I knew I would soon warm up. Still wearing shorts and, of course, one of my trusty sun visors! Chest torch fixed on, it doesn’t bother me and I needed it for the first couple of kilometres.

No plans for a PB today, I did that last week. I wanted to be sure of finishing. I even dispensed with the idea of negative splits, but often my runs to tend to turn out like that if I’m running well, it’s seems to be how my body copes with the run.

Off I went and settled into a reasonable, but not too slow, pace. I did check my watch throughout the run as I didn’t want to be pushing myself too hard for the first half. I was checking my heart rate rather than my pace as it does give me an idea of the effort.

5K done and I noticed the time was faster than my very first 5K attempt, which left me doubled over with exhaustion! It made me realise how much my stamina had improved in just a couple of months. Carrying on, I had a sense that my pace was increasing over the run. I had some of my Tailwind drink at about 8K. I was getting tired and do like to speed up a bit at the end. On this run, my last km was not the fastest, but runs don’t always go the way you hope! I was pretty darned tired for that last kilometre, but all in all I was very pleased and proud that I completed this run. I would never have believed when I started the Couch to 5K programme in May that I would be writing a report of a 10K race!

Now I’m going to enjoy my bowl of porridge, the Breakfast of Champions! 🥣

🥰🥰🥰

Splits:

8:23, 8:38, 8:30, 8:18, 8:13, 8:08, 7:49, 7:35, 7:26, 7:30

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Well done Jools! Brilliant run and you certainly deserve your porridge! Now you just need to wait for your bling to arrive. 🏅 😍 I’m running the VV10000 tomorrow and the bling is already calling my name!

Really great run today! 👊🏃‍♀️🎉

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you 🙏, can’t wait for my bling! My first medal 😊. Good luck with yours! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks - bling is addictive! 😍🏅😍🏅😍

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Well done for completing your first event, albeit on your own. This is fantastic and you have really speeded up since your first 10k! Really well done and you look very proud, as you should do!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you 🙏. Yes, I am very proud! My time was only just over a minute slower than my PB last week, so very satisfied with that - and I enjoyed the run, too - apart from that last kilometre, oh boy, that was tough!

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Oh yes, I recognise the last k struggle. Lifting knees at all seems impossible, feet shuffling, losing form etc Still, you finished!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

I would have crawled it to finish 😂

[Ping-pong 60minGraduate]

Wow brilliant in every way!! Like the look of that chest torch, very nice. You have certainly earned that porridge 🏃‍♀️🎉 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Ping-pong]

Thank you! Had an extra dollop of maple syrup to celebrate 😀

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

Great picture and a fantastic achievement!!! You deserve this day Jools- enjoy the feeling 😁🤗🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Thank you, I will 😊

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Woohoo 🤸‍♀️🎉👏👏👏 very well done, Jools! That's absolutely amazing and great splits too, especially for 10k 🎖️💪🙌🙌 hope you've enjoyed your porridge like a true champ 🥣

I think I'm going to have to wait until next weekend for my vv10000 run, hope it goes as well as yours did today! 🤞🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you! 😊 I’m sure it will, good luck with it! 🤞

[LauraRuns]

Congratulations Jools! What a great achievement, you should definitely be proud of yourself ✨

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LauraRuns]

Thank you! I actually can’t quite believe it 😀

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Wow congratulations !! And you still have time to do it again befor 1st November !! 😂 seriously, I was aiming for 1st nov myself but according to magic plan tomorrow should be my 1st 10K - so I’m going to stick my bib on tomorrow and see what happens ! Well done again !

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

Thank you!! I’m not doing it again 😂. I was only a minute or so outside my PB, but I knew that if it had been a disaster, I would be able to try again 😀. Good luck with yours 🤞

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

That’s fantastic Jools, woohoo!! 👏👏🎉🎉😄 Your first official 10k race - one to remember.

I hope you had some sort of deluxe porridge! 😄

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you - Haha, yes - with maple syrup 😊

[MccHa Graduate10]

Well done Jools2020 👏👏👏 great run 🏃‍♀️ and timing 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to MccHa]

Thank you, MccHa! 😊

[Couchpotato2]

PERFECT! congratulations, you dealt with this race like a pro and look at those splits. A lot to be proud of.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thank you ! Yes, I was pleased with the splits 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Nice one Jools,

I thought you would do this today 😁

Look forward to the pic of your medal ,😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Haha, did you? There was me thinking no-one would know! 😀 Thanks, Ian! 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Haha, yes, you had said you had signed up so I was expecting you to go today 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

I could have gone next Saturday 😂

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

You could BUT I knew you wouldn't haha 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

😂😂🤣

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

👏👏👏

Fantastic run Jools! And pretty impressive split too. You look dead proud and happy in the photo, and so you should be!

I'm still planning on the 31st for my Vitality 10,000 run to coincide with my graduation run on the Magic Plan 🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you! Very pleased and proud, and happy with those splits. I remember you are doing yours to coincide with your Magic Plan graduation run! Good idea! 👍

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Congratulations on your Virtual Vitality London10,000. Enjoy your breakfast and now you just need to sit and wait for your tshirt and bling to drop through your letterbox👏👏💪💪🏃‍♀️🏅🏅

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you, can’t wait! 😀😀😀

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

Absolutely bloody fantastic- well done Jools2020!! So pleased for you 🙂🙌🏻 I hope to be able to join you on the first 10k/first ever event next weekend (although I won’t be able to match that impressive time). Congratulations 🥇

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thank you! I was pleased with my time, because it was only about a minute slower than my PB. Fast for me! I’m a slow runner and got to 10K by extending my slow runs. I came to realise that speed for me is less important than endurance. I hope your first 10K goes well and you enjoy running in the vv10,000! Good luck 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

You can be VRB next weekend! I couldn't run today due to a combination of personal stuff and having to work half a day today

[Health2020 Graduate10]

Congrats 👏 x

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Health2020]

Thank you so much 👍 x

[Sonia52 Graduate10]

Congratulations and a great time too! I admit i did start to sprint the last km... 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Sonia52]

Thank you! I tried so hard to get that last km to be the fastest, but I was done, weaving all over the path! 😂

I looked at your post, amazing time, well done! 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

[nowster Graduate10]

Nicely paced! 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thank you! I think I’m starting to reap the rewards of all my hard work on negative splits. I was happy to complete this run in a good time for me! 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

You look very happy in that photograph Jools2020, congratulations on completing your Vitality 10,000, well done 😀 🏃🏾, I hope you enjoyed your porridge, your bling won't be long before it comes.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you, Almorr. Very happy with that run! Porridge was delicious, it’s the perfect post run food for me. I might have a bit of a wait for the bling! 😀

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Congratulations! What an achievement 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Great splits too! Enjoy your breakie 😋

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Thank you 🙏. Buzzin’ 🐝 🐝🐝

[windycastle]

Well done Jools a brilliant achievement What is a split and the drink you had

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to windycastle]

Thank you! The splits that I gave at the bottom of my post, were my pace times for each kilometre. Each split is given in how many minutes it took me to run each kilometre. If you hear someone talking about ‘negative splits’ it just means that you run the second half of the race faster than the first. I like running like this as it gives me control and the run is more comfortable. The drink I had is a powder called Tailwind that you add water to. It replaces electrolytes and gives you a bit of a boost when you’re getting tired, You can also buy sports drinks, but I don’t like the taste of the ones I tried, and Tailwind tastes quite mild. 😀👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to windycastle]

Another vote for Tailwind on those longer runs!👍

tailwindnutrition.co.uk/

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Wonderful post Jools - well done on your run. 👏👏🙂 Beautiful splits and beautiful bling to follow!🏅😀

I ran a steady 10k on some rather slippy trails today - am planning to do my Vitality 10000 run later in the week!😀

Its such a great journey you have been on and I think we can well and truly say, you’re in it for the long haul!😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you, Sandraj 😀! We have plenty of muddy trails round here. I think I can safely say I’m not ready for them yet 😂. Very happy with that run. I’m not fast - I don’t mind that, but I gave a good account of myself today with the time being only a minute longer than my PB and those splits, of course. I hadn’t realised how neat and tidy they would look 😂

I have been on a great journey, you’re right, and seem to be happy with a mixture of learning from others on here and doing my own thing! Definitely in it for the long haul. 😀. Good luck with your Vitality 10,000 run 🤞

[BonniesRest]

Excellent! Lovely picture too 🎉

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to BonniesRest]

Aaaw, thank you 🥰

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Yay, congratulations!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Jools, a great virtual run,

And probably a good idea to get out early and avoid the storms. Go claim that medal and T-shirt

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you! Yes, we already have a howling wind across the fens. Glad I went early. Time already submitted! 😀 Probably won’t see anything before the middle of November, though.

[Mum22boys Graduate10]

Fabulous Jools, well done you, I bet you were buzzing when you finished. Can't wait to see the medal when it arrives. Super well done 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mum22boys]

Thanks! 😀 I was buzzing for sure! 😊 very proud. Can’t wait for my first medal.

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

Congrats Jules, what a run! Such an inspiring post to read 🤩

Does a negative split mean running slower than the previous K?

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thank you ! 😊 Strangely, no. The opposite. 😀. It means the second half of the run is faster than the first half, but I like to see all the kilometres with a slightly faster time than the previous one! It makes the run much more comfortable to do it like this.

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Oh, surprising! Always good to learn new run terminology, thanks 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

If you start faster and get slower, it’s positive splits. I can’t do that! I get too worn out early in the run 😂

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Despite the names, is it not better to run gradually getting faster? Agreed, I wear myself out the other way around!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

I think it’s definitely easier to gradually get faster 😀, but positive split runners have their own arguments for it.

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Intriguing. As a newbie, I’m open to all ways of thinking right now. I guess the more I run, the more I’ll learn and will no doubt pick a side ☺️

[EThomas Graduate10]

Great run for you Jools. Huge congratulations.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to EThomas]

Thank you ! 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to EThomas]

Don’t laugh! I’ve just realised who you are 😂😂😂 sometimes I worry about myself!

[David_G]

Fantastic work Jools2020, that’s a great result! It sounds like it was tough in parts but what a great feeling to have completed it!🏃‍♀️💪👍

Now you can relax and bask in the glory of your achievements! Oh, and you should get a finisher’s t-shirt and medal too!👏👏👏

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Thank you, it was the last kilometre that was hard, the rest was fine. It feels great. I tried not to put myself under pressure! Yes, I want the bling!

Now I can get back to my original plan to push on to a HM. This was a diversion 😀😀😀

[David_G in reply to Jools2020]

Good luck with the HM, I’m doing my Vitality 10000 tomorrow, as long as things go to plan!🙂🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Thanks - it won’t be for a while, need to do another 10 mile run then increase gradually. Good luck with yours tomorrow! 🤞

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Well done Jools, looks like you had a great run!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you 🙏, I did 😀, but oh, that last km 😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

That’s a fab time for a 10k lady!... so not only do you complete the vitality 1k but you also collect your strava virtual 10k trophy ( I have serious trophy envy)

Seriously tho well done!.... 👏👏👏

And if that photo was taken after that!?? Well you look like you comfortably completed 💕

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

Thanks, TT 🙏🥰

Yes, photo taken in my drive, I’d just finished! Comfortable apart from the last km 😀. Looking forward to my bling 😀. Running makes me really hungry, hopefully managed to put on a couple of pounds today 😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

You look fab ... and happy! 😀💕

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

Yes, I was (and still am) very proud! 💕

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Well done Jools

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you ☺️. Early night for me, or I’ll be 💤 😴 in front of the TV!

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Ah many Congratulations, 👏👏👏that is fantastic. Massive Well Done to you amazing lady🏅🏅🏅Love your picture you look so happy. Great to see the talked about sun visor and chest torch!!

That is so fantastic that your first event was 10k you must be feeling so proud of all you have achieved. I hope you enjoyed your porridge champion runner🏆🏆🏆

You really are such an inspiration x

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thank you so much 😀

I am proud of what I have achieved! From struggling to run for a minute in May, I now regularly run for 10K and enjoy that distance; so when this race came up, I was confident it was within my grasp!

Porridge is my favourite post run food! Chest torch was useful for the first couple of km when it was getting light, sun visor in case of low sun or rain. Today it was low sun, glad I wore it!

Very pleased! 😊

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Wow that really is so fantastic, incredible all you have achieved in 5 months, no wonder you are feeling proud it is wonderful.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Well done on completing the Vitality 10000 you must be chuffed to bits! 👏👏👏

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you 😊 yes, I really am! Very proud of myself 😀👍