Why I decided to do a 10K run on a Thursday, I’m not quite sure. I usually do my longer runs on Saturdays! First, I wondered if I should do an 8K today, Then I just thought I would do my 8K route in reverse, which would mean I would pass the turning for the Deadend Track as I’m coming back into the village. The track is conveniently about 2K to the end and back. If I wanted to continue on to 10K, then I would.
I used the NRC guided run, with Coach Bennett. I’ve listened to it before and it’s good, but today I found myself zoning out now and then. It crossed my mind that maybe, just maybe, I don’t always need to be listening to something. I filed the thought away for future consideration.
I’m dressed for the cold with a long sleeved top over a short sleeved t-shirt. Warm running tights, buff and windproof jacket. I select a light green sun visor from my collection, pop on my fabulous sports glasses and I’m ready!
Off I go heading out of the village, listening to Coach Bennett telling me to start off relaxed. Actually, pretty much the whole of my run was relaxed 😊. I ignore him when he tells me to run the 4th km as if it were the 8th. I didn’t feel like doing it 😂.
I notice that the early morning drivers are not as tolerant of me running on the road and I have to take care, occasionally having to step onto the narrow verge. Once I turn onto the single track road I can relax as there’s very little traffic there.
I’m allowing the run to ebb and flow and enjoying the sensation of this happening. I’m getting a much better idea of my pace when running like this. Now that I’m warmed up, I enjoy the feeling of opening up and increasing my pace, and then pulling back slightly to rest.
Arriving at the turning for the Deadend Track I decide to run along it. I had actually already decided while I was running along the single track road, but it wasn’t a final decision and could have been subject to change 😂.
I almost wished I’d carried on, there had obviously been farm vehicles using it and it was so muddy. I was doing a hoppity skippety while I was running along, trying to miss the big clods! Must have looked hilarious. A couple of times it felt almost like I was playing hopscotch!
I come back out onto the main road at 9K. Coach Bennett is encouraging me to finish strong, but I decide not to. Then with 500m to go, I change my mind! I pull out all the stops, concentrate on my form and what my arms are doing and fly down Main Street! I’m finding the abrupt change in pace exhilarating, even though it’s at the end of a 10K run; it must be because I listened to my body for the previous 9.5 km.
Run ended and I stop briefly to catch my breath. I did have a bit of a workout for that last 500m but I’m not exhausted and saunter home 😊
