Yesterday’s run was an interesting one. I’d decided it needed to be the big one of the week so achey legs from a Zumba class would just have to stop moaning and get on with it. Bizarrely, I’ve found my long runs are better if I’m a bit sore because it stops me going too fast at the start.
The weather was perfect. Slightly overcast with a good breeze. On my warmup walk, I was cold but trusted that I would be warm enough once I started. Good decision. I packed my full loyalty card for a lovely local cafe and decided I’d aim for the next village to celebrate with a free coffee. Very good decision.
Set off along the lane. It’s a nice flat sort to start which turns into a long, long gentle uphill with a few bursts of steep uphill. Tough but I kept it slow and it was doable. I hit a huge mental wall at the top of the uphill section 4k in which was bizarre because the hard bit was done. I pushed on and managed to get into a really nice rhythm and started really enjoying it. Beautiful scenery, perfect conditions and a particularly good mix on the music podcast.
The kilometres came up quickly and the last km and a bit was a steep downhill followed by a flat section. I had enough left in the tank to increase the pace to what felt like a full on sprint. My watch vibrated and the 10K was done.
I’d planned an extended cool down walk so I wasn’t totally red by the time I reached the cafe. That was a fail! 2k later I was still glowing, and also very hungry. Luckily it’s relaxed in there and they do a fantastic brunch so my free coffee and eggs florentine tasted extra good. The waitress commented that she thought I looked like I needed it!
In a total failure of thinking, I realised that I hadn’t considered how to get home. Last time I did a similar version of this run, my husband met me and drove us home. There was nothing for it but to walk 5km back across the fields! I think it was good for me. My legs are feeling ok today.
I’ve spotted a new path that goes straight across a stream for investigation with suitable wet footwear. That’s a job for next time. Sunday will be a 4km recovery run and this week is finished.
When is a hill not a hill?
Do all recovery runs give 3 new PBs 🤣🤣
Baby Steps
A beautiful spring day ... and 10k!
