My alarm went off this morning at 6 a.m. but I didn’t get up. Oh dear! I decided not to run and made a cuppa. No one was up. Back in my room, I realised it didn’t matter if I ran a bit later, so on went the running clothes and after much faffing about, going upstairs at least 3 times for something I’d forgotten, I managed to get out of the door. Key in wrist cuff and I was off! No - I’d forgotten my trademark sun visor, so back indoors again. I can’t run without that! It looked like rain and I would need it to keep the rain off my sports glasses! Glanced in the mirror and saw that my hair was sticking out at all angles, punk style. Never mind, I’ll be washing it later 😂
Finally. Warm up walk over and I start to run. Far too quickly. I give myself a stern talking to and slowed down considerably, following my own advice. This run was going to be slow and I was going to try and run for 10K.
My heart rate goes straight up into Zone 5. For goodness sake! I decide to ignore it and run by feel. If my effort is too hard, I’ll just slow down. I carry on. My heart rate drops after a km or so.
During the 5th kilometre I’m nearing ‘home’ and I’m tempted to stop. I even imagine myself making coffee - but instead of heading towards my Dad’s house I turn left for the 10K route and keep running, it’s a bit of a slog for a while, so I slow down some more. I’m committed to a longer run, now.
There are a number of runners out this morning and we all acknowledge each other. Some of them are starting to look familiar. I’ve checked and there aren’t any local running groups, which is a shame.
The kms are ticking by and I’m approaching the 8th km when I reach a T-junction. Left for home and right for the 10K. Come on, I tell myself, you’ll be disappointed with yourself if you don’t do the 10K now! I turn right and plod on, back towards the village for the second time. Back along the edge of the common and the shops. It really feels that I’m running slowly, but although I’m tired, I’m not out of breath. I’ve listened to my body for the whole run - allowing myself to speed up a little and pulling back if I need to. Ebbing and flowing. As I start the last kilometre, I turn down a side street to add a few metres. Then another side street, before pulling out a few stops running downhill to finish strong.
I stop at 10K and walk home. Half a banana and water, then stretches and coffee! Hair completely wrecked 😂
First km pace 8:49, last 7:09 and all the others ebbing and flowing. Exactly what I was aiming for, so I’m happy with this run. Breakfast followed by a soak in the bath methinks! 🏃♀️☕️🥣 🛁
