5 mile run 🥵

[Jools2020]

I’m not sure why I decided to punish myself and run in the heat! It was obvious it was going to be warm. So initially I thought I would run a slow 5K. Then I was debating with myself - I had planned to run for longer than an hour. It would be good if I could do that.

Without too much faffage I set off on my warmup walk. What if I didn’t even look at my watch this morning? It would vibrate for the km markers. Did I need anything else? Of course the answer was ‘No’. Did I succeed in doing that? The answer was also ‘No’. The idea was good, though. Perhaps next time!

I set off at my usual snail’s pace. I wasn’t worried about negative splits; actually , I wasn’t worried about anything this morning! In spite of the heat, I really enjoyed the run, just pootling along at my ‘happy’ pace, listening to my music and noticing my surroundings. Even the Demon Hill did not dominate my run this morning. I dealt with it and moved on. I greeted everyone I met and most greeted me back in return.

There came a point at the end of 5K where I had to decide whether to carry on. I thought I’d reassess after an hour of running, which I did and decided then to carry on for the 8K. I love modifying my plans like this! I stopped just after 8K to give me 5 miles. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before, but 5 miles sounds longer 😊

I stopped the perfect distance from home to do a warm down walk. Back for stretches, water and a banana before hitting the shower. Afterwards, a chocolate swirl ice cream awaited me!

Looking at the stats, I was very pleased with my heart rate this morning. Towards the end of the run and going up the Demon Hill, it did edge into Zone 4, but stayed in either Zone 2, or just into Zone 3 for a good part of the run.

Happy running! ☀️🏃‍♀️👍😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Wonderful run for you today Jools, that run was the highlight of your weekend, you even enjoyed Demon Hill and most of all that chocolate swirl ice cream when you got home, I also had a chocolate ice after I got home this morning from a short bike ride, 😋 yummy

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, Al! It was indeed yummy. But now I only have one left, I will have to walk along to Tesco and get some more! 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

There are 4 in a packet, I do my weekly shopping on a Tuesday, I eat the first ice when I come back from my Wednesday morning run, the second ice I eat is when I come back from a parkrun or a short run if I don't go to parkrun on a Saturday morning, the third ice cream swirl I eat is on a Sunday morning after I go a long walk or like this morning a bike ride, the 4th ice I eat from that packet of 4 is on a Monday evening after I buy a fish supper.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

You’re very disciplined! I just have one if I feel like it 😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I always feel that I have to have one on those four times a week, especially the two times that I have been running. 😊 🏃🏾 👍

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

What a fantastic run and a really nice distance, I quite like 5 mile runs - a bit more than 5k but not as much time or effort as 10k 👍 no run for me today (yet?) but I've just had an ice-cream, it's such a warm day it would be wrong not to 🍦😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Absolutely! I’ve just been to a park with my grandchildren - they all had an ice cream but I had a coffee instead!

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done on 5 miles on a hot morning. I see your approximate pace trend was to speed up throughout the run. Getting negative splits on a hilly course is very hard.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes, it is and I refused to even think about it. I do naturally speed up over the course of a run; even now it takes me 2-3 km to properly warm up.

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate]

Great run Jools, I'm very envious, I am recovering from the excesses of yesterday so currently lounging on the sofa! I love a pootling pace, going off piste as the mood takes and discovering new routes or old forgotten ones. Back on it tomorrow 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Haha, I hope you enjoyed the excesses of yesterday! 👍😊

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Very well done getting 5 miles in .It was warm this morning.

And a good trend with the splits 👍

I felt cool for the first 5 minutes then soon warmed up 🥵

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian. I didn’t feel cool at any point. I was looking forward to feeling that early morning fresh feeling on my arms when I left the house as I was wearing a sleeveless tee - but no! It was already too warm! 😊

[Catho78 Graduate10]

Well done Jools, great run and in the heat too. I did that distance last week and the humidity was 69%, never again. I thought its hot but cloudy, it’ll be fine 🥵 Must get up earlier on a day off lol 🙈🏃🏽‍♀️. I love couch to 5K and the life it’s led too, but sometimes I sure miss the couch lol

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Catho78]

Thanks! I don’t think I miss the couch, I have too much free time for that. But I do faff about in the mornings too much! I need to actually get my running gear on as soon as I get up now we’re heading into even hotter days. I love C25K and all my virtual running buddies on here. I couldn’t have done it without them. Yes, it was hot out there this morning, but the air quality was excellent and that makes a big difference to my heart rate and the effort of the run. This run was intentionally very slow. And I loved it!

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

Sounds a perfect run, and a really positive one.I love runs like that, good feeling isn't it?!😄🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

You’re right, it’s such a great feeling! 👍😊

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Well done Julia 👏👏 your really getting those distances in now, we had the st.albans half marathon this w/end, but sadly, i was nowhere near, my foot/lump still quite sore, and i'm really busy emptying the house, so not followed up the ultra sound i had on it, a few weeks ago, once everything has calmed down, hope to be back on it 🏃‍♂️😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter. It does feel good increasing the distances again. Running will still be there when you’re ready. I’m sorry about the problems with your foot.

We have been emptying Dad’s house as well, so know what you’re going through. The sale just completed today. Very sad to see the empty house yesterday.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

A great run for you there Jools! I know how much you dislike the heat.Nice splits too!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I almost didn’t go! But I figured I’ll just take it Really Easy. Turns out I’m incredibly good at that 😂. I coped with the sun well and was fine after the run. I don’t seem to be doing 3 runs a week though!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Well done! I so agree - 5 miles sounds longer than 8k 🤩.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Yes! So much longer 😆

[GailXrunning]

Well done. Back into your stride, it seems, and very well paced to keep your HR where you wanted it.🙌

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Thank you, yes all went according to plan! 😊