Bad hair day 5K! 😏

[Jools2020]

Well you can see what happens when I forget to check in the mirror before going out on a run!

Got up with the lark this morning at 5.45. Of course it was pitch dark then so I took my time and had a cuppa first. Running clothes on - should I wear my gloves? No it’s not cold enough yet. (Edit: my thumbs were cold!) Warmup stretches done and out of the door. Key in wristband - darn, I forgot my sun visor! Ah well, never mind!

Warm up walk over and I start to run. Steady away! Heart rate shoots up to the middle of Zone 3. I did flirt with the idea of a Zone 3 run, but now decide to run at a comfortable pace. If my heart rate is already elevated, I’ll be monitoring it every few seconds and that will spoil my run. I’m not surprised it’s high, I have a lot going on, and resolve to do some calming yoga later and perhaps have a good soak in the bath.

The forecast was dull and overcast. The actual weather was chilly and bright! The light at just before the sun came up was fabulous, the air quality excellent. I was happy to be out running with my music for company.

My 5K route here has inclines. Only the first kilometre is downhill, the rest have both uphill and downhill sections. I’m taking it easy today, smaller strides for the inclines! I’m learning to cope better with the slopes.

The last kilometre finds me in the village by the common and a short, steep incline before it levels out and then slopes downhill for the last half kilometre, which allows me to take off any brakes and lengthen my stride! I love this part, it feels like letting go and I’m smiling as I’m running down the hill! Yes, I enjoyed that!

I sit on ‘my’ steps to sync my devices and take a selfie. Had to laugh at my punk hair! Back home for coffee and a shower methinks 😊. I’m going with my brother to have another look at the house I am buying later, so have that to look forward to.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Sounds like you had a good start to the day Jools! I love the punk hair - I sported something similar many moons ago, now all my hair wants to do is grow forward so that it covers my eyes like a curtain! Hope the viewing goes well, having someone with you is always useful - especially if you plan for your brother to help with a little diy after you move in!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks Oldgirlruns . You’ve hit on my master plan 😂 my brother is a painter and decorator!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

He doesn’t happen to work in my neck of the woods does he?!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

I don’t know where you are, but he is based in High Wycombe and prefers to work up to 45 minutes away!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Your hair looks great to me! I must say I wear hats all the time and they keep everything covered. It’s always a surprise to take the hat off afterwards and see what’s lurking beneath 🙀🤣

That sounds a lovely run 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Haha, thank you! I usually wear a sun visor, but my even shorter than usual hair just pokes through the band and looks even worse! Just as well I’m not really that bothered, just amused. It was a glorious run, early morning, sunny, chilly, no wind - pretty much my ideal running conditions 😊

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Hair looks pretty funky and cool to me! Sounds like a great way to start your day. Enjoy nosing around your new house later!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Haha, thank you Roxdog! Hair washed and much more presentable now 😊

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Tee hee Jools, the amount of time I faff with my hair before I run is silly - bits sticking out here and there especially at the sides over my headphones! And it makes not a jot of difference! What a nice run you had, and how exciting to be having another look at your new house 🏡.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank you, Frenc! I don’t usually faff with my hair. It’s very stubborn. If it goes wild, I just wash it!

[nowster Graduate10]

The fluffy look! 🤣

There's a point where you cease to care what you look like when out running. Fluorescent yellow lycra top, check. Weird shoes, check. Running tights, check.

I remember back at the start of C25K when I would go out in normal street clothes because I was embarrassed to be seen wearing anything "sporty".

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

When I first started running I felt embarrassed wearing shorts. I would sneak out at 5 am so no-one would see me! By the time I graduated I was proud to be out running, whatever I was wearing. I can’t remember exactly when it all changed.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Great start to the day! Money saved on hair products! 🤣👍🏻 Good luck with the house! 🤞🏻

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you. Hair products! Or lack thereof - you mean shampoo and conditioner aren’t enough?! That’s where I’ve been going wrong 😂

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I dunno, I don't even own a hair dryer anymore. My sister in law didn't believe me when she came to stay! 🙈🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I do have one of those. I could easily do without it, I use it for about a minute!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Haha, have you photo shopped Rod Stewart's hair onto your picture 😬Well done with your 5k and all is still on track with the house 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Rod Stewart, just what I thought! 😂 On way to see new house again 😊

[Hidden]

Omg Julia in a word wild 😍, fantastic hair gal keep that look and keep those legs turning, good luck with the house stuff 🤞🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Definitely wild! I misread your post at first. I thought you wrote hair GEL and I thought maybe that’s the answer!

[Hidden in reply to Jools2020]

Ahhhhhh perhaps the gel may help Jools2020 , but the fluffy I've just run look is cooler 😎

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😂😂😂 and I even have a slightly pink face to round off the look! (Courtesy of the last speedy half kilometre!)

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I think your hair looks lovely, hope you enjoyed your soak in the bath, you deserve it after a run, isn’t running downhill fun? Hope everything with your new house goes smoothly

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you! Oh, I did enjoy my soak. Yes, I love running downhill!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

I ran and waved my arms on Sunday, today I plodded along muttering “who on earth thinks they can run after a busy day at work at my age?” while talking to Jo getting louder and louder as she ran off in front

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Running after work must be a great way to de-stress once you get going!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

It is

[Hidden]

That run sounds lovely. When you find yourself smiling during a run then you know it is a good one. Yay.

I no longer care what I look like when running. After my initial hesitance to wear "man tights" I would live in them 24/7 now if I could 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh those tights - aren’t they just so cosy and warm! 😂 Nobody takes any notice of runners wearing tights, though, male or female, do they? I agree with you, I just wear what I want to. I love my tights. Especially the really warm ones for less than 2 degrees. Bring on those cold runs!

You’re right, smiling during a run is, well, everything!

[Peter44 Graduate10]

That's a great look Julia 🤣 i just admire anyone i see out running, whatever they look like, carrying 15 stone with me, gave up ages ago about how i look, and my new chest torch acts as a bra to keep everything in place, you know, men of a certain age! 🤣🏃‍♂️🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

So glad you like it, and great that the chest torch works so well for you 😂 they should use that in their marketing, perhaps!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

🤣🔦🏃‍♂️🤣

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Nothing like a running hair selfie ! You look happy and accomplished, with so much going on I concur a yoga session will be good I have that plan too. Enjoy your day 👍🏼

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you! Yoga session and soak in the bath worked well! 😊

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate]

I'm a bit behind with my emails today, love the hair and sounds like a good run. Hope the viewing went OK, wish I had such a useful brother! Wish I had a brother... ! Happy planning 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Second viewing went well! Estate agent was convinced she saw a dog at the window. We all spent ages searching for it - it was hiding under the bed! She didn’t know it was there, but all was OK. Very handy having a brother. Mine has been incredibly supportive. I have a few things that need doing to the house but he has all the contacts so I’m not too worried.

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

That's really good news. I love dogs so I would take it as an omen, you will be very happy there. Hope all goes well, keep us posted, lots of people are rooting for you 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Aaaw, thank you! I love dogs, too. The sellers apparently made a joke that it came with the property! Once I’m settled, I will consider having another, but it is dependant largely on Grandma duties. The new house is only 20 minutes from my son’s house and they are struggling with child care. I need to see what my life is going to be like first. 😊

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Sounds like you are going to be very busy!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Haha, yes! 😊

[GailXrunning]

Woah! Fab mop! Not an emoji to fit; this is the nearest:👩‍🎤 Great that you managed to fit in a nice run. You must have gained fitness from the radical change in your running terrain. I find my HR is super quick to reach zone 3, but it feels (mostly) ‘easy’ as perceived effort, even ‘very easy’, and I can still talk in complete sentences, sing, or breathe without using my mouth - so I’ve come to be a bit sceptical.

Wishing you the very best with life arrangements.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Thank you. I was definitely increasing in fitness, but it has declined over the last couple of months. Previously my heart rate was staying down nice and low for the first couple of kilometres and I was able to control it; I need to get to that point again.

I took stock this morning and reached the conclusion that the stressful time is largely over until I actually move. For now, everything is in place. Searches are all in and there are no more reasons for delay. Sellers are moving into rented accommodation. It’s a good position to be in! Just waiting now for dates.

[GailXrunning in reply to Jools2020]

I’m sure you must be looking forward to settling in and rooting. Always lots to do in a new place, of course, but far from the dreadful stresses of uncertainty.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

I am! Also , I’ll have a lot of help from family with moving.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That is a badge of honour not a bad hair day! Your run sounded lovely too. Sounds like you've had a lot going on recently. Buying a house and moving is enough yo get anyones heart rate up! Good luck with it - sounds like you've found the one.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

‘Badge of honour’, I like that! 😊 Thank you.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

…but still gorgeous!Good luck with the house 🤞🏼🏡

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Thanks, Lottie! 😊👍