An unexpected PB 😊🏃‍♀️☀️

[Jools2020]

Well, my lovely virtual running buddies - I needed a boost this morning and I wasn’t disappointed! Now, I’m not particularly drawn to 5K. We are not friends. I like 4K much more - or longer runs; but having returned from a 3 week break from running on Thursday with a gentle 3.5K, I wanted to run a bit further than 4K this morning.

I also wanted to run a loop to incorporate a couple of segments. My crown of Local Legend has been stolen from me, yes, stolen, from another runner in the village and I am determined to get it back. Of course, she doesn’t know this - we don’t know each other. One more run and I should have it!

It was chilly this morning, but I felt it would warm up, so shorts and long sleeved top. Sun visor was essential this morning. I wish I’d worn gloves, though - my thumbs were cold! Although it was a gorgeous morning, there was a frost.

I did a nice, long warm up walk to the start of the first segment and set off nice and slowly. This is not a route I would normally use for a 5K run, so I have room for a good walk before and after my run. I set off nice and steady, thinking I would like a sub 40 minute 5K.

It’s not that early, but the village is eerily quiet. The floods have receded, but there still isn’t much traffic. I spot a couple of hundred Whooper swans in the fields; they will soon be going home to Iceland. I carry on, aware that I’m picking up pace with each km. then I see my 4th km is just less than 7:00 and I think I must be close to my PB, so although I’m tired I try to keep it going for the last km.

I still have time to notice all the daffodils in the village. I glance at my watch and I’m running in Zone 5! My watch buzzes and the run is over. I’ve made it. Strava gives me 36:14. It’s only seconds faster, but hey! A PB is a PB 😊

Splits: 7:49, 7:35, 7:07; 6:57, 6:47.

Home for coffee and porridge ☕️ 🥣 😊

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

What a great run to come back with. This is almost identical to my thoughts and run this morning (although 5k/36 mins is a mere dream for me) 🙂 well done 👍🏻

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thank you 😊. It was a dream for me, too! My pace has been slow to improve as it’s not my focus. I prefer running slowly for longer 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done Jools, and congratulations on your PB, I know your not a 5k fan 😁 And yes there are some sneaky people about ! I also lost a local legend the other week ! How dare they 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

I know! So rude. I’ll get it back 😊Thanks, Ian 👍😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Woo hoo! Way to go Jools!😁👍💪

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks, Diane! 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

😁👍Well done on your PB, Jools! Your legs are clearly well rested after the break!🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you, Sandraj39. Yes, I think I needed that break. 😊

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Well done Jools, on your PB time, blimey, you were flying on those last 2km's, my last one was 43 mins 🐌, and will probably do similar today, anyway, glad you were able to get out, take your mind of the packing, for a bit.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter; yes, taking the day off from packing today 😊

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I've been helping with my daughter's packing, as she's moving out in two weeks, with boyfriend.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

You’ll be an expert then! I know who to ask if I need packing advice 😬

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

It must be difficult for you with your daughter moving out. I feel for you.

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Yes, will be sad, a big step for her, she had 3 years at uni, but that felt different, i've still got other daughter, and son, but he's looking to buy somewhere soon, will be strange here, quite a big house, just two of us!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

At least you won’t be on your own. It’s hardest when the last one leaves! I have 2 sons, both married with 3 children. I’ll be moving nearer my younger son, I think that he and his wife are looking forward to help with childcare. Nanny Julia to the rescue!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Sounds like you'll be kept busy, with all the childcare duties, and running up those hills! 🥵Your right about the kids, although they can be hard work at times, they probably actualy keep me going sometimes. ☹

Hope i wont be a grandad, for a few more years yet. 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Haha, I’m sure your time will come! I’m really looking forward to helping. It’s giving me a purpose. I’ll only be living in High Wycombe temporarily until I can buy a house - which will be in a flat area 😬

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

When my kids were born, we lived in Dover, but moved back here, so my mum could help out with them, as my wife's family down there, were pretty useless.Where do you think you'll go, with no hills? 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Looking around, nowhere is completely flat! I’m looking at Bracknell and quite like Thame.

[Catho78 Graduate10]

Well done Jools, congrats on your 5K PB!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Catho78]

Thank you 😊 very happy with that!

[Week7 Graduate10]

Good run a PB and your usual tidy splits followed by coffee and porridge plus beautiful weather. Life is good sort of a Morning!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thank you, I do love those tidy splits 😊

[CBDB Graduate10]

Beautiful pic! And I want to say beautiful 5k. Maybe with routes like these, you might become attached to 5ks in the future? 😉

(It’s actually my favourite distance at the moment, but the longest run I’ve done is only 8k)

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thank you 😊

Not sure about ever loving 5K. For some reason, I always feel under pressure. I’d rather do a 10K run. I can do a similar route with bits added on!

[GailXrunning]

Wow! That’s what a break can do for you! You seem to have come back with fresh energy in lega and ambitions. Beautiful photo too.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

That does seem to be the case! Thank you 😊

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done. Still going for negative splits, I see. 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

It definitely makes the run easier!

[Hidden]

Great run Julia, time to grab that crown back 👍👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I fully intend intend to 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Excellent negative splits Jools! I bet there was a lot of whooping going on with all those swans 🦢 🦢 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you, yes - they certainly are noisy! 😊

[sofaspud]

Excellent run, excellent PB, excellent photo and excellent that you make friends with the 5km! Well done!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to sofaspud]

Thank you! Well, I still wouldn’t say we are friends. Perhaps getting to know each other better 😉

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Excellent work! Looks lovely too 😍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks, Tasha 😊

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

Wow! What a great run, negative splits and all! And that is a lovely photo. You are lucky in where you run!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Thanks! Negative splits are so neat and tidy 😊.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Lovely morning and a lovely run! Welcome back 🥰

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Thank you, it was good! 😍

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Jools2020]

🥰👍

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

What a great run Jools 😁 that rest has really re-charged your batteries! Great time for the 5k and really good last couple of k, wish I could gradually get faster like that 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Thanks. I can only do it if I hold back on that first km. And then hold back, but not quite so much on the second. After that, I’m warmed up and my body just gradually speeds up.

[Littleoyellow Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

It's a real skill 😁👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

More luck I would say 🤣 but thank you!

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

Congratulations on your new 5k PB Jools2020 👏🏻👏🏻 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you, CP. next run will be a slow one, I think. Got to do the same segment again, though. I need that crown back. 😊

[Jericho2332 Graduate10]

Great picture! Well done on the PB 💪🏻👍🏻😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks 😊. I’ll let that PB stand a couple of months, I think!

[Bontobpat]

Great run, glad you have recovered and are back out there to inspire us all!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Bontobpat]

Thank you so much 🙏

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Fab, fab, fab!! That's amazing, so happy to hear you're back on top form! Brilliant run and brilliant news 😃🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks, BF. 🙏🏃‍♀️👍 I missed your last post somehow, but great to know that you’re progressing again, too!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you! ☺️

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Oh wow Julia that is absolutely brilliant well done on your sub 40 minute 5k must be so delighted with that! 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️🏅🏅🏅🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️What a great start to the weekend. I hope you have your crown back local legend and are wearing it with pride!! 👑👑👑👑👟👟👟🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Thanks, 9weeks2Run , I am delighted with the new PB! I don’t have my crown back yet, but hopefully soon. I’ll keep taking that route and it won’t be too long, I hope the other runner doesn’t keep taking it, too 😬