Hiya,
As I could not run the past week due to feeling bad (to much sugar, migraine, etc.), I thought my plan to reach 10 miles this weekend was over. But yesterday my migraine was gone, I hydrated well and I felt good. I had a good nights sleep and woke up this morning, knowing today I would try it.
It had frozen during the night, the grass was white, cars had frozen windows, etc. but the sun was shining! After what seems like weeks of perpetual grey sky, today there was sun! Was it a sign?
I waited 2 hours after breakfast, kitted up in my cold weather kit (I also have a freezing weather kit, but that is not needed yet), did some dynamic stretches and leg swings and set off.
As all my runs, this one was to be run at a Jeffing ratio of 4min30 / 0min30. I thought I started slow, but at the buzzer of 1 kilometer I saw I had started too fast. I tried slowing down, but while my normal starting pace is around 9:30, I never slipped into the 9 minutes during this run.
I planned to run first my usual 5K route, then the other 5K of my usual 10K route and then the first 5K route again with an added 1K at the end.
In general the run went good, better than my last 12K and 14K runs. Passed a rabbit, sheep, people, birds, ... . Had to watch out on a wooden bridge though, as it was very slippery. Luckily I just had a walking break there, so I could carefully scoot over it. On my second passing of the bridge the slippery layer had thawed.
I took a gel at 8K, though I have absolutely no idea if it helps or not.
At 13K I was starting to feel a tad tired in the legs and I felt myself slow. Gave myself a good kick in the brains and told myself it was only 3K more. Tried to speed up a bit again and kept going. At 15K though my ankles started to hurt badly. Not as in an injury, but just pain from overuse, an almost burning sensation.
Nevertheless I could not stop, it was only 1K more! And I did it! I finished at 16,11K in a time of 2:12:13, much faster than I had thought I would need! I thought I would be around 2:20:00 or so, so I am pleasantly suprised at my time. I know most of you do a HM in that time, but for a snail like me, that is fast, haha.
Ate a proteïn bar on my walk back home and took a well deserved hot shower (which was definately needed - I STINK after a run). Now I am crawled up on the couch with a cat and some knitting. Taking 1 week of from running too, to let my ankles rest. Back to 10K now as my long distance. I might do another 10 miles some day, but not in the very near future I think...
Cheers, Evy
Super Proud, Parkrun Sub 26 PB and just done my first ever 10 miles run!!
A downpour and a surprise 5K 🌧️
Two very different runs
My first sub 30 🎉
First attempt
