Unlike the last few days, this morning we woke up to sunshine peeking through the blinds, and having not run since Saturday, it just had to be done. UpTheStanley said he would run with me and I downloaded a NRC guided run called 10k headstarts.
Oldgirlruns had already been out for a 4k and texted us to say how windy it was on the seafront. I didn’t know if I’d be able to do 10k but I thought I should at least try.
So we walked to the prom, stopping in the park to do warm up exercises in a sheltered spot en route. The sun was bright and low so I was glad I had my sunglasses on. There’s no doubt it was windy; 30mph westerly according to Mr Garmin. I always try to start a run into the wind while I am running slowly as I can then enjoy the wind behind me with warmed up muscles.
With the ongoing work building new sea defences, the prom available to us in that direction is getting shorter, so at the rock gardens (1 km in) we had to turn around again and my pace went from 8.05 to 7.25 for the next 3kms, with no change of effort on my part . The tide was high and the waves were crashing in leaving a small strip of beach between the water and prom for the dog walkers.
We then carried on past the caravan park and up to the Hayling Island ferry jetty (1.5km) protected from the broadside wind by hedges in the residential parts, but fully exposed in the harbour area. Other runners were out with us and a raised hand or a nod acknowledged our running existence. We turned and headed back to the prom. Seventh , eighth and ninth kms averaged a pace of 8.00 min/km, and UTS stressed the importance on keeping going for that last km. it was tough and I could feel it in my hips. I suggested we divert from the promenade to the road on the other side of the pitch & putt course to see if it was a bit more protected - just a bit. We ran past the cricket club and round to the rose garden. Council contractors were repairing the gazebos so we couldn’t do the planned circuit. We diverted through the Japanese Garden then out through the rose garden again. Bush roses had been pruned low, reminding me of a gardening task to be done. We then headed past the tennis club and back again, picking up speed as we knew we were approaching the end of the run. Coincidentally, it just happened to end near Cafe Fresco, so a large cappuccino, water and cookie were enjoyed inside while we cooled down.
My first 10k since the New Forest 10k 2 months ago and it felt great, despite the wind. Coach Bennett was pleased with me and I enjoyed this guided run in which he gave some statements to ponder on whilst running.
10km - 77 minutes 38 secs
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate10
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Yes Shake-and-run , we say it’s our version of hill training. We do need to train in it because the wind will often blow at parkrun and the Great South Run , although we’ve been let off lightly since 2018.
Maybe our next runs will be less windy but fabulous to get out, that rain has been torrential And 10k too, itching for another but need to build up to it
What a fantastic run for you today with UpTheStanley Dexy5, I am sure you enjoyed it, along the prom with the wind coming off the sea would be hard but you kept going, I live well inland but my graduation run was along a prom about 30 miles from where I live so I know it can be tough running against the wind, I hope you enjoyed your well deserved large cappuccino in Cafe Fresco after the run, by the way for my midweek run this morning I only ran a 5K in contrast to last. week's almost half marathon and after the run I treated myself to a ice cream chocolate swirl, 😋 yummy.
I do have hot chocolate in my kitchen and drink it at breakfast time when it's very cold outside, however, as most of my runs begin about 1 hour after breakfast, even in cold weather after already having drank hot chocolate earlier I will still have a ice cream chocolate swirl after my run. 🏃🏾 👍
Gorgeous photo! That sounds like a superb run and to finish at the cafe for treats is even better. I love running of a morning - I really miss it when I’m in work and see a beautiful day like today.
We run at a similar pace - my first 10k was 73 mins and was a great easy talking pace but I too felt it in my hips.
I haven’t ran a 10k since - it’s hard finding a day and time suitable with my running buddy.
Thank you Dendev75 , you have been doing really well with your running, but it must be hard to fit long runs around work, especially if you like to do parkrun on Saturday .
Well done Dexy - sounds like a great run, even in that bracing wind! We were down in Southsea this morning too, with granddaughter no 2, and strangely enough were also in Cafe Fresco, the rose garden and the prom - the tide and waves were a bit high today for throwing stones in the sea though. 10k for me tomorrow!
When I stepped out of our garden the wind seemed cold, but as usual, once we started running we were fine. It was the wind that you don’t want to face in your last few kms of the GSR.
Great run Dexy. I was able to run virtually with you all the way thanks to your fantastic description as well as those bits I’ve actually run. I wanted to go for a run but was waiting for the roofers to fix our leak!
Lovely run Dexy5 . Reminded me of the GSR just a few weeks ago, though we were lucky then that we didn’t get the infamous wind off the prom! Great pic too x
Seaside running (or riverside, anything with water on the side) is always the major selling point for me. However, I really, really dislike strong winds and credit to you for powering through in such conditions. I’d do if but wouldn’t be having fun. 😳
😂 I know what you mean mrrun. So long as it’s not accompanied by torrential rain , I can enjoy the challenge. But I tend to choose my route depending on the wind direction.
A blustery wind here today too Dexy5. I am planning a run a bit later this morning, but I already feel shattered after reading your account! The wooded trails here offer some shelter, but there is also the risk of branches dropping on my nut! Running in a hard hat would look a bit silly I guess! Well done for getting out there and braving the elements; 10k in that lot is a real achievement. Lunch time snooze I think….🙂
Ha ha. We did discuss whether we should run in the Lakeside parkrun route, as that is more sheltered but JonathanP ’s description of muddy puddles on Saturday put us off.
Great run, I'm missing the Solent views at the moment, I think I'm a couple of weeks away from getting out there again. Keep posting those views of the shimmering sea please!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
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