A Shorts and T-shirt Run

[Birdlady64]

In my heart I wanted to run another 10k today. My head was telling me that might be asking for trouble. My form hasn't been what it was since the enforced snow and ice break, and I've struggled a bit with heavy legs on my last 2 runs. I don't want to aggravate the niggle in my left glute.

After a longer than planned lie-in, a brunch of scrambled egg and smoked salmon 😋 and a bit of time gardening, I set off mid-afternoon. At 13 degrees, it’s definitely a shorts and T-shirt day today. I’m not entirely sure how far I’m going to run so I plan a route that can be anything between 4km and 6km, depending on how I feel

I set off at what feels like a comfy pace and for the first 2km I feel pretty good. Breathing OK, legs OK. It’s nice in the weak sunshine, and I’m loving the feel of the breeze on my bare arms and legs.

Approaching 3km I’m overtaken by a guy who seems like he’s running twice as fast as me. 💨🏃‍♂️ He leaves me for dead and disappears down the road. I wonder what heart rate zone he is running in and check mine – firmly in the aerobic zone. 👍

I reach the turning for the road towards the Leisure Centre and rounding the corner I see him – a tiny speck in the distance.

I’m not sure if this affects me psychologically, but my legs are starting to feel a bit heavy and my knees are aching a bit. Maybe the time spent earlier today kneeling on the gravel around the fish pond whilst fishing out fallen leaves and blanket weed wasn’t the best preparation for a run! 🤔

I do a ¾ lap of the Leisure Centre today. It’s busy. Lot’s of dog walkers. A group of youths on BMX bikes. Several family groups – one with young children playing catch.

Back to the main road and I head down to the un-made road behind the woods where I decide that 5km is enough for today. There’s always next week for a longer run.

Arriving home I'm greeted by the enticing aroma of the venison haunch I have braising in the slow cooker. I realise I'm hungry and out comes the peanut butter and some crackers that are handily nearby.

Stretches done and checking the stats it's another sub-40 minute 5k - I remember when that seemed an impossibility.

I see that I also ran almost perfect positive splits of 7:13, 7:22, 7:55, 8:20, 8:20. Maybe I set off too quickly, but maybe it’s a reflection of the increasing heavy leggedness on this run (again).

The photo is taken on the lane at the end of my run.

[nowster Graduate10]

So you got overtaken by someone who rapidly disappeared into the distance, too? 😉

You definitely did the right thing in going for a shorter run today.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Oh yes I absolutely was.He came from nowhere.

At about half my age he should have been going faster than me

I was disappointed at the time. But you are right and I am glad I didn't try anything longer today

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Looks like a bus stop in that photograph Birdlady64, good run for you today, that guy who passed you was probably running a sub 40 minute 10K, you had a great run in running also a sub 40 minute 5K, well done. 😊 🏃🏾

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlHa ha! Maybe.... He was about half my ages as well The sign does look a bit like a bus stop but it says "Bridleway 29"

The red notice on the left says it's a private road.

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Well done for your sub 40 minute 5K!

That guy who overtook you had probably been running for years, he’s not important. You ran at your comfy pace and still achieved. I’m thinking of doing a 3K as it’s been over 2 weeks since I ran. I’m just going to take it really steady. Maybe tomorrow. My reward for starting to pack!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia. He was about half my age

Woah! Packing up - it's starting to get serious. Must really be hitting home now.

A short run will do you no end if good - hope you manage to get out

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Going somewhere with hills? 😉

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes! I’ll be staying with my Dad for a few months near High Wycombe, which is in a valley. He lives on one of the surrounding hills. It’s Hill City. I learned to drive there and my hill starts are second to none! You can imagine I am not relishing the prospect of ‘running up that hill’ having started running in the fens. Challenging times!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

High wycombe, is that where you grew up, not far from us, my brother lives at Burnham, and my sister lived in great kingshill. 🤔

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Yes, I grew up there. I know those places well 😊! Also , my younger son and his family live in Maidenhead. I think he’s looking forward to the extra help with childcare. Nanny to the rescue! Are you in that area, too?

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I live in a small village, on the outskirts of watford, as you know, it's the family home, my mum was here 55 years, not in a rush, but will sell up at some point, havent quite decided where i'll go, depends on how long i want to carry on working, currently based in St.albans.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Not so far away! And I often drive through St Albans on my way to my Dad’s. He’s been there for 53 years.

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I'll look out for you, when i'm back at work 😊 how long have you been in the fens?

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

12 years

[Tillybeach Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

HiI’ve lived in Maidenhead for 15 years but recently moved to the south coast!!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

It’s a small world! I do like Maidenhead but would prefer the south coast, I think 😊

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Sounds like a good run, in the spring sunshine, dont be worrying about the speedster 💨 we all know slow is best, and more enjoyable 😊 and better for the joints. I'm still resting, went for a walk instead, might try a run this week.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks PeterI'm not really that worried about that young whippersnapper speedster. I embrace my inner snail 🐌

I hope you mange to get a run in soon 😘

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Hope to try a short run this week. 🤞

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done on your run today Birdlady64 ! It was lovely out wasn’t it?☀️ Here’s hoping that the heavy legs feel better next time out, too.🤞🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. Yes it was lovely out today. I'm sure the next runs will be better

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

Another great run for you, super impressed with your sub 40 mins - - I hope to do that before too long.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thanks! I'm sure you will. There was a time not so long back when I wondered if it would ever be possible for me too

[Ant50 Graduate10]

Today I didn’t manage to get out until about 4pm, but it was still warm enough then for a shorts and t-shirt run, it felt great ! Funny enough I also spent a fair while today on hands and knees cleaning out our pond of fallen leaves and de-clogging the pump! Oh joy !!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Ant50]

Spooky👻 🐟 Not the best job in the world but it had to be done.It was great to be out there in the sunshine though

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Wasn’t it great to be out and have bare arms? I haven’t got my shorts out yet, not sure they will still fit, sounds lovely but busy in places like here, I’ve just found route planner on my garmin and getting very excited about it Love your photo such a peaceful part of your run, and fast runners, well they are around too but you would be a fast sinner passing me

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was wonderful! I think I might treat myself to a new pair of shorts. I'm a bit fed up of my boring black ones. I don't want really short shorts though - you know what I mean.😁 I used to run across the field behind those trees and around the wood on the horizon last summer in the early morning 🌄. I can't wait for it to dry out enough to do that again

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

I do know what you mean about shorts, it is drying out and will be great if it keep up

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

Sounds like an enjoyable run for you today BL 😁 you did what felt like enough and that was a good decision 👍a sub 40 5k under the belt on the road that leads further and further away from the couch 😁👍 and I can smell that slow cooked dinner that was your reward 😋

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Sorry I managed to reply to myself....

Thanks. It was lovely to be out in shorts and t-shirt again and 5k was enough.Dinner was delicious 😋 and I felt like I earned the roast potatoes that went with it!

[Littleoyellow Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I'm not so good with the tech, sometimes I think I may accidentally dislike the odd post when I'm trying to like it 😬 I've been calorie counting since last February and have only had roast potatoes on a handful of occasions in the last year 🤣 when I eventually get off the IC I'll treat myself 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Thanks. It was lovely to be out in shorts and t-shirt again and 5k was enough.Dinner was delicious 😋 and I felt like I earned the roast potatoes that went with it!

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Sounds like a fab run on a lovely day 🌞

We should all embrace our inner snail 😉🥰🐌🐌🐌🏃🏻‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Yes ha ha! But it was lovely to be out in the warmth and feel the air on my arms and legs.

[Suzy78]

Lovely view. I'm still running on a treadmill yet. I alternate between longer and short runs. I had a rest day yesterday. back on it again today... well done and keep it up. I get heavy legs sometimes often it's the legs before my breathing!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Suzy78]

Thank you. I haven't had heavy legs like that for a long while. Hope your run today was a good one.

[Suzy78 in reply to Birdlady64]

I did it was great and no heavy legs!! 6k in 42 mins I was pretty pleased with myself.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Suzy78]

Hey! Well done. You have every right to be pleased with yourself 😁👍

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Great sub 40 minutes 5k run Birdlady 👏.

How wonderful to be able to wear your running shorts after all the bad weather.

Yummy your venison sounds delicious.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks Rebecca. It was great to be out and feel the sun and the breeze on my arms and legs.The venison was delicious 😋

Hope you are doing OK

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Ah how wonderful Birdlady that is one of my goals this year to get the confidence to wear a pair of running shorts!!

I am OK went back to work for one shift on Saturday and have one more this weekend. I have had my vaccine. Hoping to start C25K again next week.

Take care

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

That's great. Sounds like things are turning the corner 😁👍

Good luck starting C25K again. Take it easy and I'm sure you will smash it

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Ah thank you so much. Yes I think it is the most sensible way for me to go forward regarding getting back to running. If I can run 5k in 9 weeks with be thrilled. Take care x

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

Aahhh I wondered if that was you I passed earlier today 😉 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Ha ha! 😂