First 10k & Virtual Vitality London 10,000 - BOOM!!

[Birdlady64]

Get up. Loo. Water & small banana. Loo. Kit on, warm up. Loo again! What is wrong with me this morning?...🤷‍♀️

I'd already fixed my race number to my T-shirt yesterday evening. It took ages! I used small magnets and they worked well and I managed to hang on to all 4 of them for future use (does that mean I'm going to do a race again?...🤔)

I decided to use Nike Run Club 10k Head Starts for this run - wised up by a warning from some others on here that the distance calls can come up a little short. I set this going, along with my music and put my phone in my shorts pocket. Silence! Nada! I really don't need a tech malfunction today, of all days!

Tech issues resolves, off I set. "Take it nice and easy Diane - 10k is a long way!" I just can't seem to stop myself setting off too quickly and again today the first km ended up being my fastest. Gah! 😤

I wasn't looking at my watch today - this run wasn't about time or pace, but about going the distance and finishing the run. I was just running and thinking about what coach Bennett said with only a quick glance at each km check point to check my average pace. I used the vibrations on my watch for this and ignored the distance calls of Coach Bennett as clearly they were way off.

Down past the rugby club, and thankfully the road wasn't quite as flooded as I feared. There was only really one spot where I had to navigate round a large area of standing water.

I ran 2 laps of the local nature reserve today, to add some extra distance. This seemed like a really long way for some reason. I only come across 2 other runners - a mother and son - and one dog walker who started grinning stupidly at me when she saw my race number.

Down under the railway line, up past the church and to to the Leisure Centre where hubby was waiting in the car for me with some water. This stretch was full on into a strong headwind, and was really hard work. It was quite warm, despite the wind and I was grateful to be able to take on some water.

My legs were starting to feel it a bit by this stage, but at only just over 2km left I knew I was going to finish.

Through the small park and a short stretch along the main road then up another unmade road that leads to the woods behind the house. I even have enough left in the tank somehow to put on a bit of a spurt for the last 750 metres!

10k done! BOOM! My first (virtual) race, and my first ever 10k!

This run was a pretty big deal for me. I was quite emotional at the start, and after I'd finished. I'm raising funds for one of the Sue Ryder hospices that supported my best friends mum whilst she was terminally ill, until she caught Covid-19 during a stay in hospital earlier this year and sadly passed away. Getting emotional again now writing this....

I can't believe how far I've come on this running journey since April. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of all you wonderful people on this and the c25k forums. We are all amazing!

Oh - and the time? 1h 26min. I said when I started the Magic Plan if I could do a sub 90 minute 10k I'd be happy. 😁

[dijep Graduate10]

Yay 🥂👏🎈🎊 first 10k well done marvellous.

The weather is really windy when I was out dog walking, great if its behind you when running but not if it's coming at you! So a double well done.

Enjoy the rest of your day.x

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Thank you!

Fed, watered, hot bath and the rest of the day to lounge on the sofa and watch the rugby. What more do I need?

[LouiseA Graduate10]

Congratulations! This is excellent and very inspiring! Keep hold of your magnets, I’m sure you’ll need the again soon 🎖well done! 👏🏼💥✨

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to LouiseA]

Thanks!

I'll hang on to the magnets, although it might be a while before I do another 10k!

If the Magic Plan worked for me it will work for you too!

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Haha - you might become addicted to the 10ks!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Hmm! 🤔

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Wow! And wow again! I’ve just picked up my phone to see if you’d posted and here you are!

That is just amazing, Diane! So pleased for you. Congratulations on your first 10K. And for the vVitality 10,000. And for achieving your goal of doing it in under 90 minutes. That’s a treble whammy! And a special ‘well done’ for your fund raising for the hospice.

You have some serious celebrating to do! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏👍🎉🍾🥳💕

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia. You had a great run this morning too. You are going from strength to strength.

I really didn't want to stuff this one up.

I'm sorry but I didn't celebrate with porridge, although some did come in my groceries delivery yesterday. Coffee & bacon roll. Then I decided I was still hungry so I had another coffee and another bacon roll with a poached egg in! 😋

Now to an afternoon and evening of rugby - possibly accompanied by one or two small beers? 🏉🍺

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I’m still hungry, too. I’m going out right now to get some bacon and rolls. Oh, yes! Great idea. 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

You can't beat a bacon roll 🥓

[Tillybeach Graduate10]

Well done amazing, first 10k!! 🍾🍾🏆🏆 I've been watching out for your post. Bound to be emotional as been working up to this point and always seeing others acheiving it, now it's your turn!! Be proud of your amazing progress.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

Thank you. Yes - it has been wonderful seeing so many people reach that milestone recently. Am I really proud of myself and am grinning right now 😁

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Oh what a great post, brought a tear to my eye! That's fabulous and you look triumphant! Your first 10k and a fantastic milestone. I knew you could do It and so did you, it was just a matter of keeping those legs moving!

Now go and have a cosy afternoon after a nice stretch!😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks Roxdog.

Stretched, fed, watered and a hot bath. 🛀 The foam roller is on it's way!

I have already asked Damien for my badge - it was the second thing I did after submitting my time on line. Now I'm waiting for my first bit of race bling to arrive 🥇

It was hard to keep the legs going towards the end, but once I hit the 9k marker I was on a high. Now I am sitting waiting for the rugby to start with a big fat grin on my face 😁

Have a good weekend!

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Oh and get your badge too!

[MoliJ Graduate10]

What a fabulous run and such a lovely description of it. Your time was very good. That first 10k is very emotional just like that first 5k, first 20min run and completing C25k. Enjoy your success glow this afternoon. Love the pictures. 🤗

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to MoliJ]

Thank you!

I have a big grin on my face right now which may well last some time yet.😁

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Brilliant 😀

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

What a great post Birdlady64 I think the frequent loo visits were just nervous anticipation, I felt exactly the same. I used the NRC 10k for mine too. Congratulations on completing your first virtual race, completing your first 10k and raising money for such a worthy cause, you’ve every right to be proud of all three. Don’t forget to email your evidence to the event organisers so you get your medal and tee shirt 🏅👚 👏🏻👏🏻

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thanks Couchphoenix. I submitted my time online - synched up with Strava really easily. My first bit of running bling 💎😁

Yeah - I never experienced the loo gremlins before today 🚽😈 - must have caught it from Tinytears60 😂

I'm really proud of what I've achieved and pleased to have been able to raise some money for a worthy cause in the process.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Fantastic run for you today !

Congratulations on your vitality 10000 and of course your very first 10k 😁👍👏👏👏

Very well done !

Don't forget to get that shiny new badge 😎 😬

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks!

I did have a moment of panic when all the tech failed right at the start but thankfully I sorted that out and then it was fine.

Asking for my badge was the second thing I did after submitting my time on line.

Now I will have an actual bit of bling 💎 to go with the virtual ones on here 😁🏅

Sitting on the sofa watching the rugby now 🏉.

[Hidden]

👏👏👏👏 Many congratulations on your 1st 10k and first race , very well done. What an emotional run for you today Birdlady and a fantastic fundraiser to boot.

I was exactly the same as you first thing, back and forth to the loo 🙄 so nervous but we did good and as you say maybe the first of many exciting races ahead of us.

Rest up well, take care

💐🌸🥂🤸‍♀️🥇🏆🙋🏻‍♀️🥳🎃🤗

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

And congratulations on yours too 👏🎉🥳

We did good indeed. In fact, we were awesome 💪

Enjoy the rest of your weekend 🙂

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

Huge congratulations on your amazing achievement. Also an amazing time, I wish. Hope you’re very proud of yourself and will be celebrating with a glass of something as we speak. 👏👏⭐️⭐️🏅🏅👍👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thank you. Am watching the rugby with a nice cold beer🍺

Hope your recovery is going well - hopefully you will be running a 10k soon.

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Congratulations on your first 10k. What a great achievement 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 🏅

Well done on achieving that sub 90 min 10K too. Great running 🏃‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Thank you!

I'm not sure I want to repeat the experience any time soon though

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

Absolutely brilliant!

Super chuffed for you! 👏👏👏

First 10k and a great time too and for an amazing cause!.. no wonder your emotional! 💕

I’m so sorry I wasn’t running today so the loo gremlins have obviously looked around for another unsuspecting victim! 🙈

🚽👺

I smiled when I read the start of your post- so relatable to me (tho fingers crossed not been too bad of late 🤞)

Enjoy your evening and you must definitely celebrate 👌💕

Ps. You will have face ache from wearing that huge smile 😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

I think I have severe post race fatigue or something. I managed to reply to myself instead of you ...🙄

Thanks. My face is starting to ache actually! 😁😁😁

I really don't know what happened with those loo gremlins this morning. I've never been like that before. Maybe nerves - I was probably putting myself under more pressure than I realised.

Fish and chip tea tonight maybe? 😋

[Tinytears60 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Got for it lady!

Just what you deserve!!! 👏👏👏

🐟 🍟👌

I suspect without knowing you were putting pressure on yourself as you placed importance on the run... those loo gremlins won’t stick around.. they love to share themselves amongst us 🤣🤣

x

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s fantastic congratulations on your first 10k

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you so much!

I am sure you will be running your first 10k if you carry on with the magic plan.

Slowly but surely does it

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Thanks. My face is starting to ache actually! 😁😁😁

I really don't know what happened with those loo gremlins this morning. I've never been like that before. Maybe nerves - I was probably putting myself under more pressure than I realised.

Fish and chip tea tonight maybe? 😋

[Sonia52 Graduate10]

Well done!! And your 1st 10k too!! 🏃‍♀️👏👏👏🏆🎉

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Sonia52]

Thank you!

Am pretty made up tbh and still feeling pretty emotional about it all.

[Hidden]

⭐️ Wonderful Birdlady64! ⭐️ Congratulations on your 10k! What a fabulous photo.

You made me laugh with your numerous pre-run loo trips - I was just the same!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

Those loo gremlins were definitely our in force this morning. Sent them packing thankfully so they didn't dare show their face whilst I was running 😈 💪

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

Whoop whoop 🙌🏻 I knew you get your time - well done on a superb effort. Great result! Enjoy the well deserved rest now. You are quite right - this forum is amazing and so are you 🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Aw thank you!

You had more faith in me than I did!

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Congratulations !!! So glad you made it, isn’t it a great feeling !! I was also raising funds for a cancer charity for my vitality (and first 10K) - so so many emotions and motivations all rolled into one - and the head starts podcast just amplifies all that too. Hurrah !! 🥳

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

Thank you!

Yes today had been pretty emotional on many levels. And one or two of the comments from coach Bennett really resonated this morning.

I hope your fundraising went well. I am just so proud to be able to raise money in this way.

I feel privileged to have found a love for running 🤗

[Hidden]

Booooooooooooooooom 💥💥

I'm so made up for you!! Many many congratulations to you 👏 👏👏👏👏

You did it. You did it. YOU DID IT!! Emotions are natural because you care and because it was important. You've achieved a milestone distance that you'll remember forever. It was a special day, a special run and a special achievement. None however as special as you for doing it! 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Hidden - man you just made me cry! But in a good way.

Yes I did it, yes it was a milestone, yes it was important, yes it was emotional and yes it was special.

But I'm not really special at all. I'm just someone who accidentally found a love for running that she never ever thought would happen and who feels privileged to be able to use that love to make a small difference in this crazy world.

You, my man, are special for all the time and unconditional support and encouragement you give to everyone on this forum. So I applaud you 👏👏👏

Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to Birdlady64]

🤗

[nowster Graduate10]

Strange! I had a really uncomfortable tummy and needed many loo visits this morning. Thankfully today's a rest day for me. A walk (with rook photos) as the light was failing this afternoon.

Excellent work on achieving a sub-90 minute 10km. 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks! It was a bit of an emotional one this morning.

Yes just seen your post. Definitely rooks but you have already found that out

Thanks for the pics. It was bugging me and now the mystery is solved 👍

[Runjilly Graduate10]

Brilliant Birdlady!! Knew you would do it. Huge congratulations, well done on the fund raising😊 lovely post, can feel the emotion 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Runjilly]

Thank you!

It meant a lot today for sure. Am pretty proud of myself right now 😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Runjilly]

Thank you

Yes it was an emotional one for sure this morning.

Am so happy to have done it and made a small difference in this mad world

[MontyMooDog]

That's a fantastic run for you today and many congratulations on your achievements 👍😀💨🎂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to MontyMooDog]

Thank you 🙏

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Fantastic Birdlady64!! Massive well done to you!! 😃😃🤩 Congratulations! ❤️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you so much.

Yes I think it's pretty fantastic too, on several levels. Am a bit less emotional today but still grinning a bit 😁

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Ah you deserve it!! Well done!! 🤗❤️

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

Just catching up with you and wanted to add my congrats on your achievement 🎊 I'm 2 or 3 days behind you in the magic plan atm and just shaking off a cold. Inspiring to read your post- this was 10k and so much more- I applaud you 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🤗

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Thank you! It was a pretty special day yesterday.

I hope you managed to get rid of your cold!

Good luck with the rest of the plan - that 10k is waiting for you!

[Littleoyellow Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Hope you're having THE BEST day, taking a load off and relaxing 🤗

[Lifebeginsat Graduate10]

Well done, that's brilliant! I only signed up for the Vitality 10,000 because of your post saying you'd signed up! So you inspired me, and we both ran for charity, so it's win win. Well done on your time. Big congratulations 🎊🎉🥳🎇🎆🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Lifebeginsat]

Thanks! Way to go us!!

I'm just happy to be able to make a difference.

Running is such a positive experience on so many different levels.