HU Spring 10K - Just About

[Birdlady64]

The last time I ran as far as 10k was back in September last year on a 7-mile run as part of the NRC HM training plan.

Since then, life and a decent dose of idleness, have got in the way. My “Go To” distance has been 2 miles, with the odd speed run thrown into the mix with a couple of 7ks over the last few weeks. Not the greatest prep for today but I so wanted to be part of this.

My plan was to get up and go this morning, but the gremlins were out in force. The planned post run breakfast of bacon and egg rolls ended up as Sunday brunch – with coffee and freshly squeezed juice of orange, apple pear and ginger.

I finally decided around 2:30 that it was do or die. Why on earth did I wait for the hottest part of the day?

This was one tough run. My budget trail shoes have been fine on those shorter runs, but they didn’t quite cut the mustard today. Leaden legs, uneven ground - soft through the woods and clay baked like concrete in parts across the fields - were an unwelcome mix today for some reason.

It was warm in the sun across the fields, cooler in the shade of the woods, and baking on the pavements of the residential streets. I was glad to have my 50ml collapsible soft flask in my shorts pocket.

10k done! It was not my greatest run, but I did it! 😀

I didn't take any photos on my run route today, but the bluebells were lovely in the sunshine filtering through the trees. The birds were very active and vocal. The crops in the farmers’ fields are really starting to come on. And the hawthorn is in full flower. |Spring is here, and summer is approaching.

The photo is a montage taken on the lane into the woods on my short cooldown walk. The leaves of the field maples are a lovely fresh bright green, I think there will be a good showing of elderflower. The wild service trees (a marker of ancient woodland) are blossoming, What's not to like?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Absolutely brilliant! Massive congratulations to you on getting through a tricky run. Those are ones to look back on with pride at how tough we really are. Beautiful pictures too.

Time for some celebration for you! 🏃‍♀️❤️🏅🎉💪

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Tough - or just plain pig headed maybe? I totally forgot to take any pics - I was concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other too much!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Congratulations on that 10k run Birdlady, you did it, and it sounds wonderful.🏃‍♀️👌xxx

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks. It's even more wonderful now that it's done!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Very well done Diane!Sounds like it was a tricky one but you got the job done !

Enjoy the satisfaction 🙂👏👏👏

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks Ian. I had to dig deep for this one, but really glad it's done.

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10]

Congratulations and that's what I enjoyed today too (too hot though) but the spring blossom and scents were amazing.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Cowladyrunning]

It was certainly a warm one when that sun came out. Yes the Spring blossom is lovely

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Well done to you Birdlady64 on running the HU Spring 10K in the afternoon heat, this Wednesday I will be running it but probably around 8 in the morning.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Good luck for you run on Wednesday Al. I wanted to get this one done at the weekend as it's tricky to find the time during the week.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

That’s a great result considering you haven’t run a 10k in almost 8 months. Well done on overcoming those pesky gremlins and completing the HUHM event. 👍👏👏👏

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Well, now that you put it in those terms, yes it is rather isn't it? Thanks!

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Huge congratulations, Diane! And great run report. I enjoyed reading every word! 🤣👏👏🏃‍♀️👍😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks so much Jools. I reckon you'll be back up there before too long

[Kevin41 Graduate10]

Well done on the run, i really like the idea of a nice Sunday brunch first too ha ha

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Kevin41]

The brunch was great thanks Kevin, but much more conducive to a lazy Sunday afternoon than running a 10k

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Congratulations 👏👏👏 you played with gremlins but didn't let them win, I'm glad you did it

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Being taunted by gremlins, more like. I'm glad I did it too! 🤗

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

I'm fighting my legs today, they want to run and the rest of me doesn't 🤣🤣🤣

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

No part of me at all wants to run today!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Excellent that you got out for your HU 10k even though it felt like you’d never get started. And well done to you for running your 10k in the warm weather now that it’s finally arrived.

Your montage of spring blossom and foliage is lovely

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks - it felt like I'd never get started and also like I'd never get finished once I had!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I can relate to that. 🤣

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 10k this afternoon. The sights, sounds and fragrances of Spring must have helped the time pass on a hot, tough run on difficult ground. Well done. 👏👏

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you. I'm glad to have got that one done. I do love running across the woods and through the fields but it was just so energy sapping this time for some reason.

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Anything over 10 degrees is too hot for me! 🥵😂

[Week7 Graduate10]

Congratulations on the 10k. Those poor old Gremlins must be feeling pretty sore this evening after you gave them a good 10 k thrashing!! Birdlady 10 : Gremlins 0

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7. The gremlins might be sore, but so were my legs yesterday evening 😂

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

But in a couple of days your legs will feel better and stronger but those Gremlins will still be in hiding if they know what's good for them!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Humongous kudos for running after Sunday brunch Birdlady. That’s worth a medal in itself - no WAY could I do that, so well done! 💪👏🏃‍♀️😍

Hey, 10k is 10k, and you did it. You could easily have bailed, but no; in true HU style you ran. That’s no mean feat. Epic! ❤️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky. The brunch was rather lethargy inducing I have to admit.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Hey at least you were moving after brunch. I’m usually horizontal! 😴😂

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

Well done - you found it hard but you did it 👏🏻.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks Dendev. It was one of those "character building" runs I guess....

[Roxdog Graduate10]

That sounds tough, but you did it! A 'recovery run' springs to mind!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Oh yes - the next one will be rather shorter for sure!

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Oof! It was warm yesterday for sure. Well done!!! That sounds like an amazing achievement 👏 Hopefully the 'dose of idleness' has been booted into the ditches 😍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. I'm hoping it's been booted into the ditches, washed into the River Roach, and is now on it's way into the mouth of the Thames and the North sea!

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

hey well done, it does sound a toughie but you did it and sometimes the hardest bit is actually getting out there and committing to it as you will know!! Be proud of yourself!!😇

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Yep, for sure the getting started was hard this time. The getting it done was harder still. I'm really glad I did it though

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Absolutely!🤗

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

Well done - that’s a great achievement after not running 10k since September - you should be proud of that - and in this heat too. 🏃🏽‍♀️👍🏻👏🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Huge belated congratulation's to you!

A run done, a run well done and a beautiful one too, despite the heat and the hard going!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Congratulations Birdlady64! You did it and beautiful pictures too.👏👏🥳🏅🏃‍♀️