I only managed one 5k run midweek due to work and weather. Nevertheless, after having a crap workday yesterday I decided that come hell or high water, I was going for a run today. I did have a 'practice' 10k run last Sunday but I really just didn't feel right. I set off only a bit quicker than my usual pace but I was pretty tired and breathing more heavily than normal so decided to call it a day at 6k. So with it being the last weekend before Christmas, I was determined that today was going to be my day.
As there aren't any great 10k routes here, I just repeat my mostly-country-road run twice which confuses walkers no end haha. I met one couple three times somehow but it made us all laugh for a bit which was nice as some walkers are happy to say hi, some just let you get on with it and some give you the occasional scowl but I don't give a damn about those lol. As always, the hill was a bit of a nemesis but I decided not to be a hero today and was content to run up it but take a quick 20-30 second breather walk once I'd reached the top. I've found I settle in quite nicely between 4-6k but I find 6-8k really tough going. I do admit, though, that that's when my music pulls me through. It might be some people's idea of hell but I ended up with prodigy's no good for me on repeat for the last 3k and it really did the job.
I had really strong winds pushing against me for the majority of the second half, I got drenched in cold rain and I even had sleet at one point but there was also a rainbow which spurred me on. It's as if the weather was teasing me saying you're not going to have it all your own way, but we're not all bad either. There was also some serendipity too as last weeks aborted run started out with motorhead's ace of spades (I think a significant factor in me starting too fast 😂) but today, its what I crossed the finish line with.
I'm over the moon and so pleased that I've managed the 10k after only starting running in May/June ish. I'm also so so grateful for everyone's encouragement, support and advice along the way. That being said, I've also decided that 10k is enough for me lol. I've no inclination whatsoever to go further and am happy sticking with the 5-10k distances.
Best of luck to everybody out and about this weekend. I hope you all achieve whatever you want to achieve and that you all have the very best of Christmases too despite current circumstances. All the best for a much improved 2021! xxx ❤️🎄🎉🍾
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Pnegirl
Graduate10
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Congratulations to you Pnegirl on running your first 10K, well done, if you wish to get the badge and the words Graduate10 next to your username leave a message in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked December Graduate10 homepage and tell the administrators that you have ran your first 10K, I wish you a Happy Christmas and a happy running New Year 🎉 🎓.
Brilliant, thanks AlMorr! I'll do that soon. I'm struggling to log on though at the moment even though I can write comments so I'll get that sorted and I'll definitely be requesting it 😁
Congratulations what a fantastic early Christmas Present to yourself. Cracking pace you’ve set too. Great that the music suited you today even if the weather was testing you. I run naked but had the same 2lines of a Christmas song going through my head for the full 70mins of my 10k this morning - fun🤣 never say never to longer runs, you never know what 2021 will bring. Happy running 🤗
Thanks Nowster! Yep, the amount of times I've looked at that clock when the train has been late lol. It doesn't conjur up the same fondness as it does for others 🙂
Get you speedy ! 😮 that’s a cracking pace, your photo says it all 😁 well done Pnegirl that’s a great run even though you had to battle the elements 👍 A Merry Christmas to you too 🎅 🌲
Thanks Couchphoenix! Yep I got drenched and couldn't really see where I was running at one point because of the rain falling in my eyes. Next investment is a decent cap me thinks lol
What a run, what an achievement,what a star well done Pnegirl cracking stuff drop a msg on that badge request page and someone will be there to pin your medal on 👍🥳🙂🏅
Oh, well done! Great that you have a achieved 10k in such a short space of time and at such a good pace. It’s also good that you are happy to stick with 5 to 10k for now. I do feel there’s sometimes a certain peer pressure among runners to go ever further and faster. The sheer joy of running is the most important thing in my view. You can always do more in future.
Thanks BradC! Yes, in terms of enjoyment, the 10k was pushing it for me so while I might try and do one at the weekends, I'm not going to force it. I'm more than happy with my 5s 🙂. I hope you're ok too 🙂
Well done Pne !! Great pace for a first 10k; with a hill too!!I am laughing a bit; I said “10k is enough for me” but ended up doing 10 miles and then an HM with some gentle prods from VRB’s. Given the speed at which you have progressed, you are obviously a seriously good runner!! 🙂 See you on the Marathon page!!
Hahahaha no chance! I will gladly eat humble pie if I do ever join it though 😂. Well done on your achievements too! I tell you what, this running lark has seriously given me a new admiration for marathon runners and the like. I take my hat off to them
I will remind you if this post🙂. Extending distance gets easier; 0 to 5k is hardest.....just a question of following a plan and developing strength as you go.
Brilliant run and what a cracking pace ! I have to say that as my pace is almost exactly the same as yours as I did my 10k at an average of 6:10km! Mind you everyone has told me to slow down so I can run further - let’s see how that goes. Once again a big well done on your super speedy first 10k. By the way I should say that the 10k I refer to above was my second 10k at the end of the magic plan, I had run 10k once before but that took me 74 mins, so your 63min first attempt is brilliant !! 👏👏
Wow, well done with your 10k runs and times and thanks for your comment 🙂. Pacing is such a funny thing as I nearly always end up at the same pace regardless of whether I'm trying to show down or speed up. It's as if my body goes into autopilot but tricks my brain into thinking I'm doing something different lol
It’s really funny you say that as my body does exactly the same. Even when I think I am running slowly I find myself back at my usual average pace - somehow or other it just feels like the ‘normal’ pace. By the way, I said exactly the same that 10k was definitely it for distance.....that lasted a couple of weeks until I pushed on to 12km....so watch out, you will soon start wondering if you can go beyond 10k 😂😂
Love this. It's not really a challenge if there's not a possibility of you not quite getting there and today you conquered it!! Absolutely brilliant. It needs to be tough and it needs to test you so you can earn the feeling you own right now. You did it 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 brilliant, brilliant run.
Thanks GTFC! 🙂 You know, you make a really good point. It certainly wasn't easy and after last week, I wasn't sure I'd get there but you've got to keep on going. I suppose that is where the extra reward comes from. The push from 5k to 10k has really taught me that while the plan works and c25k has already given you the tools you need, you've got to listen to your body and accept when it's telling you that today is not your day. By the same token, it certainly wouldn't be a challenge if it were easy!
Congratulations Pnegirl. Great achievement and fantastic pace as well. You look fantastic on your photo, so happy. Well done. Have a great Christmas and enjoy 🎄⛄️
Massive congratulations on your 10k, and that looks a pretty good pace too 🥵 blimey, took me another 30 mins for mine! 🤣 great picture too, of a very happy runner, looks like you've got some nice countryside there. Anyway, i bet your still smiling, even now, never say never about running further, i bet when you started c25k, even 5k, seemed along way!!! 😀
Thanks Peter 44! When I started c25k, 30 seconds seemed long enough for me! It's so exciting to think how many people have found enjoyment from this forum and programme. It's brilliant how it's turned a daunting, intimidating activity into something achievable step-by-step (if you'll forgive the pun 🙂)
Thanks Dodgylungs! I'm using the distance part of JuJu's Magic Plan. I did have a plan that I wrote my distances and times down but I got a little lost towards the end due to missing a few days with weather. I might have skipped one, possibly two long runs, but I wouldn't have tried the 10k if I really didn't feel I could manage it. Fortunately, I had a good day. I hope you're getting on OK. I don't get on the forum as much and am having trouble with accessing my account but I'll try and catch up on posts soon 🙂
What a fantastic read, Pne, I’m delighted for you - bloody well done and congrats! What a feeling! 🙌🏼
Work is slowing down my progress but I’m not letting it faze me as much as earlier in the programme - it is what is.. 🤷🏼♀️👍🏼 (Ultimately grateful that I have my job!)
Keep doing your thing, you look every bit an official runner in your pic 👏🏼🌟
We're like ships that pass in the night acountrycabbage haha! Thanks so much for your reply and apologies it's taken me this long to reply. I only go on the forum maybe once a week now but I try and catch up when I do. I'm sorry to hear that work is getting in the way of your runs but i think we've all benefited from a bit more confidence and acceptance following c25k in that we can only do what we can do. Running will still be there waiting for us when we do find the time. I've not been out as much as I'd have liked the past few weeks either as weather has often got in the way...not to mention the Christmas treats haha! 😬 I hope you're doing ok and that you had a lovely Christmas despite the restrictions. Here's to a much improved 2021! 🙂
Don’t worry at all. I’m glad December is done and dusted. I am able to breathe out again and should have more time to run, weather dependant! Likewise, hope all is well your end?
You’re so right about confidence and acceptance. I remember it all sinking in during consolidation and it was hard to grasp. What a learning curve!
Tonight I will raise a glass to all my fabulous fellow forum run buddies (say that after 3 gins!)
Well done on all your achievements this year and best wishes for continued happy running in 2021 🌟
Can’t believe how late I am responding to your brilliant post 👌🎉Well done for the 10k before Xmas ( never doubted it ) and also for keeping going .
It obviously wasn’t plain sailing with all that the weather threw at you 👏👏
It’s lovely to have followed your progress from fairly early on , even then it was clear you were a natural runner and your pace is amazing 👌
I have great admiration for people who know their own minds too , you may well evolve and quietly do runs of 10 K + but it will only be because you want to .
Very well done and I hope you continue enjoying your runs into a better year .
Ah thanks so much Racingingthesteeet for your lovely reply. I don't know about being a natural runner but I got there in the end lol. I think it's great how much enjoyment we're getting from running, I honestly never thought it was possible. I thought I'd do it because I wanted to get fitter but never thought I'd actually be looking forward to my next runs. We've certainly all come a long way this year and yes, let's hope we can continue it into the next year. I hope you had a lovely Christmas despite the restrictions and all the best for 2021!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
