5K with a few slopes : I woke up this morning... - Bridge to 10K

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5K with a few slopes

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10
82 Replies

I woke up this morning, having made sure that everything I needed was charged or ready to put on, but after a sleepless night was having second thoughts! Threw on my dressing gown at 5.50 a.m., made tea and took it back back to my room. Sat on the bed to drink it. Well, what’s the harm if you lie down for 10 minutes, said the gremlin. I did. Do you need to go today, said another. You’re meeting your friend later, she likes walking up hills and you’ll get even more tired. Managed to ignore them and put on my running clothes.

I don’t know the area well for running, although I grew up here. I’d had a look at plotaroute.com last night and found a reasonably flat 5K route. I was now having doubts - could I even manage 5K? I decided to do a really slow 5K.

Wearing a long sleeved running top and tights, I stepped out of the front door. Nope, it’s cold. Probably about minus one. Quickly went back for my jacket, neck buff and gloves! Trademark sun visor, of course. Quick look in the mirror and I groan with disgust at my hair! Definitely won’t be gorgeous again until I can get my hair done 😂.

Off I go on my warm up walk, confident now and remembering my route! I realise I haven’t done my warm up exercises and stop walking to do them, they are so important. Exercises done, music started 🎶 and press start on my watch! I’m off. And it’s downhill slightly! I’m enjoying being out in the early morning. I follow my route exactly as I planned it and I’m surprised that there are footpaths here. On both sides! It feels odd, I’m so used to running on the road.

I see about 12 other runners, some of them more than once. I say ‘good morning’ to all of them, and they do all respond, but I notice that none of them greets me first.

There are a few upward slopes and I don’t enjoy them, my split times reflect the slowing down, but I keep going, dropping my cadence to cope. I can’t remember when my legs ever ached on a run! I tell myself that I’ll get used to it and it will be good for my endurance.

A glance at my watch tells me that if I increase pace slightly I might be able to manage a sub 40 minute 5K. I know that the last km is downhill (slightly) so decide to go for it! That will help a lot, I’m getting tired. I run past where I live with half a km to go. Cross the road to take a left turn down a slightly steeper hill. The run is over and I stop the watch. I see with great satisfaction that I did manage to run 5K in under 40 minutes! I don’t even mind walking back up the hill. Home, stretches and coffee!

While making my coffee I realise that I actually feel GREAT! 😊👍

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Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020
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82 Replies
Vinchie13 profile image
Vinchie13

Well done Jools nice run 🏃🏻‍♀️

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toVinchie13

Thanks! The new route felt like an adventure 😊

Jericho2332 profile image
Jericho2332Graduate10

Well done, bearing those gremlins is tough sometimes 💪🏻👍🏻

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toJericho2332

Oh yes. They were quite insistent this morning, but I knew I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t run today. I can’t get back to my former fitness by giving in to the gremlins!

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate10

Nice one!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toWeek7

Thank you 🙏 Week7. I enjoyed the downhill parts 😊 👍

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

They are the best!!!!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toWeek7

Not yet 😂

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

Good to see you got a 5k in Julia 👍Especially finding a new route and fighting off the Gremlins 😁

I'm sure you will soon get used to the inclines 😁👍

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toInstructor57

Thanks, Ian. I hope you’re right, otherwise my routes around the built up areas will quickly get boring. At some stage I’m going to have to run down into the valley and run back up again!! 🥵

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

Well done, especially the feeling great bit at the end. 👍

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tonowster

Thanks, nowster; the feeling great surprised me 😊

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Congratulations on that sub 40 minute 5K Jools, nice to see other runners as well, most are probably listening to music while they run, that is why some ignore you.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toAlMorr

Thanks, Al. They did all respond, but I had to say it first 😊

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate1060minGraduate

Brilliant Jools2020! You gave those pesky gremlins what for 👍. Sounds as though you had a great run 🏃‍♀️!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toFrenc

Thank you.Yes, it was good!

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10

Well done on kicking those gremlins into touch. And well done on that 5k. 👍 I know it's not your favorite distance. And not a bad time either considering you had some inclines to deal with 👏👏👏

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

Thanks, Diane! Those darned slopes messing up my split times 😂

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate10

Well done on beating those gremlins and completing your 5k Jools 👏🏻👏🏻 I always seem to be the first one to greet fellow runners too for some reason. Maybe they’re too busy worrying about their stats 🤷‍♂️

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toCouchphoenix

Thanks, CP. yes, they might be, that’s a good point!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply toCouchphoenix

Same for me! I have had another runner (earphones in) initiate a wave, though.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tonowster

I just got the feeling that round here runners don’t usually acknowledge each other! They must think I’m really weird 😂

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

Just wait until you go on the tube. 🤣

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tonowster

Ah that’s different. It’s like pressing a switch. I’m a Londoner. True cockney, so I’m told! Born as the Bow bells were chiming midnight. It was a windy night and you could hear them from Paddington.

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

I'll say hey if I see you!!!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tolinda9389

Oooh, now I’ll be looking at everyone wondering if it’s you!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

Those flipping gremlins,i didn’t realise when they slunk off from here they made their way over to your way, what a good run though! A sub 40 min is something to make you grin, glad you felt great after

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Yes, they certainly did 🤣. I was pleased with the sub 40 minutes. I want to do a Park Run in June, so although I’m not really fond of the distance, I need to do it more often.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply toJools2020

I like 5k but seem to be slowing down week by week, Parkrun would be good and sub 40 awesome, my fastest ever was 40 min 44sec and i can’t get close to that now

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

I found my 5K improved when I was doing longer runs! Then suddenly, after a 2 week break I went out and felt good - and got a PB. To my amazement, I went out 2 days later and smashed that PB. My best time is 35:41. I usually have a long spell before I feel brave enough to have a go at the PB! I couldn’t do that now - but after a few long runs I’ll have another go 😊

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply toJools2020

I like the king runs but being very slow they take so long to and Willow likes the shorter runs so we do those together, we have been lazy over winter I do admire your dedication we often think about going for a run then don’t, I always want to run in a day off but sadly a few people have gone sick and i’m filling i.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you, Sola. I’ve skipped a lot of runs in the last few weeks but I’m really trying to get back on track! Sometimes we can’t do anything about other things along the way that stop us running,

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply toJools2020

That’s very true

JoePhoto profile image
JoePhotoGraduate10

YAY! Good for you... I'm not running at the moment, back playing up... Very frustrating! Enjoy yours 🤗

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toJoePhoto

Thanks, Joe 😊. Sorry to hear about your back. Always frustrating to be on the IC.

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10

Aww massive well done Julia Jools2020 I am so proud of you, of course you are still gorgeous, goes without saying !!🥰🥰🥰

Well done for kicking those Gremlins into touch, my goodness they were really going for it 💪💪💪 you showed them running a sub 40 minutes 5k!!!

Oh that after run coffee is amazing isn’t it!!

So glad to hear you felt great after your run, as you truly are great ☺️☺️☺️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥰🥰🥰🏅🏅🏅👏👏👏🌈🌈🌈❤️❤️❤️

Take care

Rebecca xxx 💙🧸🐾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🥰🦄 🐻 🐻 🐻🐾🐾🐾💙💙🎓🧑🏻‍🏭🌱🏃🏻‍♀️

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply to9weeks2Run

Thank you, Rebecca! I will definitely be more gorgeous after Sunday as I have found a hairdresser who’s coming to sort my lockdown hair out!

You can’t beat that post run coffee! 😊☕️

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

Omg how exciting is that!!! Yaay best news ever!! I had three hours of absolute bliss getting mine done today, I literally feel like a new women amazing what a hair cut and colour can do!

Take care 🥰🥰🥰 xxx

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

You will have to post a picture of your new hair!! X

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply to9weeks2Run

Haha, well, I’ll send a pic to you 😊

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

That reminds me. I must update my Strava pic. That photo is from 2011!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tonowster

Yes, time to update it! I think my Strava pic is a couple of months old. The one on here was taken after I completed the virtual Vitality 10,000 late last year. Pretty current 😊

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

Look forward to seeing it Julia xxx

This is my new hair Julia, look forward to seeing yours ha ha won’t recognise ourselves x
Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply to9weeks2Run

Looks fabulous! xx

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

Thank you Julia starting to feel like me again x

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWAmbassador in reply to9weeks2Run

Oooh looking good girrrrl! 😍😍😍

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate10 in reply toLottieMW

Aww thank you so much LottieMW 🥰🥰🥰 xxx

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWAmbassador in reply to9weeks2Run

👍

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWAmbassador

Hah! You’ll soon be whipping those inclines into shape...just like you saw off those gremlins!

Honestly though, you will get used to them...even my little walk around the houses has a gain of 55m! My flattest Lockdown Run route for 5k had a gain of 39m.

Anyway...well done on a sub 40 minutes 5k...I’m not surprised that you felt good after!

🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🙌🏼👍👏🏽

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toLottieMW

Thanks, Lottie! It’s good to know I’ll soon get used to them 😊

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWAmbassador in reply toJools2020

👍

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduate10

Glad you feel great 😊

I think given the breadth of your running experience all will come right 👍🏃‍♀️

‘Keep on Running’

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toRacingintheStreet

Thank you! 😊

Dups profile image
DupsGraduate10

What a great new route run. A sub 40min run 👏👏the last sentence of your post is what it’s all about. Feeling great 😊

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toDups

Thank you. I couldn’t help feeling satisfied with the route. I planned it the night before and because I know the area it was easy to run it. I’ll soon settle in here.

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

Surprisingly hilly! My daughter just bought a place really near you there. I plotted a 5k from hers and it was up or down in every direction! I settled for straight along the main road to West Wycombe; still undulating but nothing too dramatic!!! Well done for slaying all those gremlins 👍👏

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tolinda9389

I had thought of running along the west Wycombe road. To get back up to Downley, though, it has to be up! Plomer Hill is the Hill of Doom I think. I had trouble walking up there when I was a paper girl !

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

I only know those streets from taking my three children on driving test routes - the Pastures in particular being very steep with tight turns forever etched in my memory. No one wants to run up a hill like that at the end of their run😱 If you have access to a car, the Rye is nice and green and flat (home to the local park run).

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tolinda9389

Yes, I’m going to do the park run. I know the area well, just not running routes! My plan is to get used to the hills!

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

I tend to go to Black Park for parkrun - I live between it and the Rye one, but BP doesn't have steps 😀😀😀 Your hills will be great training for those steps 💪👍

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply tolinda9389

Steps? There are steps on the Wycombe Park Run 😳? Might need a rethink!

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

Just one set. Fairly short. But yes there are! I've only done it once ...

Rowers profile image
RowersGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

Oh yes, they're our defining feature!!

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toRowers

😅😅😅 Race for Life managed to avoid them so I can only assume it's deliberate on someone's part 🤔😀

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toRowers

I’ll have to go down there and investigate!

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunGraduate10

Well done Jools. Have you moved? I live in Devon and there are hills everywhere. I remember asking for advice about them when I did C25K and Ianoda Truffle said 'the hills are your friends' because they build stamina etc. For a long time every time I approached a hill I would repeat 'the hills are your friends... the hills are your friends'. Strangely, it helped! 😊

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toLizcanrun

Yes, I’ve moved. It’s only temporary, but could be for 6 months. I’ll remember that, “the hills are your friends”. It will be my new mantra!

Well done on silencing those gremlins and having a good run too!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply to

Thank you! 😊

Lifluf profile image
LiflufGraduate10

Nice run Jools. I'm sure you'll feel much more settled once you've sorted out some good running routes.Glad to hear you're getting the urban runners to say good morning. Everyone greets everyone here in rural Norfolk but it was rare when I lived in urban Kent.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toLifluf

Thanks - I’ll soon get them all round to saying good morning to me! It’s funny, there are obviously a lot of runners but it doesn’t seem like it’s a running community. I suppose it’s easier in a small village.

Lifluf profile image
LiflufGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

I think people are more reserved in towns and suburbs. I have no idea who these people are - often cyclists, walkers and runners but they almost always offer a greeting. In built up areas they are more usually surprised by a 'good morning' and in cities they are likely to just think I'm weird (which I am, but not because I say hello 😊)

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toLifluf

Yes! It was exactly like that where I lived before. But I’ve decided not to change my behaviour. I might be the bright spot in someone’s day! ( in retrospect that’s unlikely 😂).

Lifluf profile image
LiflufGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

You will be, I'm sure and maybe they'll pass on the goodwill to someone else. It's worth a try!

Rowers profile image
RowersGraduate10

Hello Jools2020, this is where I live! 😎

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toRowers

Ooh, I’ve followed you! I’ll read up on your posts. 😊 I expect you are superb at running up hills and have lots of running routes!

Rowers profile image
RowersGraduate10

I wish I could say I was superb at running up hills! 🤣 But I did get some practice last year when you were meant to exercise from home. I don't post that frequently as my runs seem quite ordinary. But maybe I'll see you around...

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toRowers

I always wear a sun visor and sports glasses! 😊

Slothgoesrunning profile image
SlothgoesrunningGraduate10

And this sums up perfectly why I like running 🙂 well done, great start to the day and some upward slopes in there too! 🙌🏻

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toSlothgoesrunning

Thank you! Putting it simply, running has kept me sane. You can’t beat that feeling, can you?

Slothgoesrunning profile image
SlothgoesrunningGraduate10 in reply toJools2020

I’m with you there, it’s a game changer! Now to see off some gremlins..

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10 in reply toSlothgoesrunning

Good luck! 👍

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