A downpour and a surprise 5K 🌧️

[Jools2020]

I had a look at plotaroute.con last night and loosely planned a route for this morning’s run. When I got up this morning, I checked the forecast while drinking my cuppa and saw that it was pretty good! Overcast, with excellent air quality - and dry.

So, I set out happily for my warm up walk! I’d planned maybe a 35 minute run, but thought that I’d I was feeling good I’d carry on a little longer. 5K was niggling at the back of my mind. It wouldn’t go away 😊.

I started a slow jog to get past the Toxic 10. It started to rain gently. How lovely, I thought! Then it started to tip it down! I actually laughed and held my arms out 😊. No waterproof jacket this morning. I was soaked! Well, I was out in it now - so I carried on. It did ease off!

I reached a point on my route where I was to turn right - a road I’d never run on before. When I noticed how steep it was, I thought ‘No way!’ So I redesigned my route in my head and went a different way!

I tried to keep in heart rate zone 3 so it would be a steady run, but I did encroach into zone 4 because of the inclines on the route. I got to 35 minutes - I was around 4K at that point - and around 1K from home. No big deal, I thought, if I slow jogged home - my slow jogging is about walking pace anyway. Perhaps I was a little faster than slow jogging - but by that point I really wanted the 5K! So I carried on. I stopped at 5K, very happy! It was slow at just under 45 minutes and I didn’t feel I had pushed myself. Maybe it wasn’t such a surprise, though 🤣

Arriving home I peeled off my wet clothes and dried my hair before doing my stretches. Now for a well deserved cup of coffee! ☕️🏃👍

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate]

Well done Jools, your first 5k for a while and a magical mystery tour! I'm not a fan of running I the rain but strangely don't mind if it starts dry and then I get drenched! My physio is only allowing me to run 1k per week and today is the day but is currently persisting down here at the moment so we will see. Have a good weekend 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

I share your thoughts about the rain. Except the part about getting drenched! I hope it eases off for you and you manage to run. Have a good weekend, too! 😊

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Managed to dodge the showers but even with a super slow run plus warm up and cool down it was only 20 mins! I felt much better afterwards though even with a short one, the magical powers of running!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Yes! Glad you got out. And stuck to the plan! Well done 👏👍🏃‍♀️

[Gthants 60minGraduate]

Super stuff! Well done! There's no way I could run for 45 minutes, so that is really impressive. I reckon you earned your cuppa! I have done some exercises today and am looking forward to going to see the Lionesses this afternoon!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

I have the advantage of having done it before, otherwise I would have increased distance more gradually! Hope you enjoy your afternoon! 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Well done Jools, with being cooler and that rain your run sounds perfect, even redesigning the route on the way round, a 5k is exciting, at that pace I'd be in zone 4 edging into zone 5, you are back and running strong.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, Sue! I was in Zone 4 for longer than I would have liked but it was at the lower end! 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done Jools - no matter the pace - 5K is 5K and I bet that felt good!👍🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Oh yessss! 😊

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Yes, this is one to be proud of, a 5K, a new route, a right good soaking...you are faster than me and I've been running for 9 years. I never use the word slow, can't stand it, how about not fast?😜

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks! I don’t really mind being slow. I just love long, slow runs with no pressure. 5K is not my favourite distance at all. It’s still short enough that I put a certain amount of pressure on myself. Now 6K is different! My brain kicks over into ‘not fast’ mode and then we would be the same pace 😄

[Roxdog Graduate10]

How lovely! Good job! Running in the rain is so funny!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

I didn’t much enjoy running in the downpour! Fortunately that was only for a few minutes 😊

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Well done Jools on your 5km and in the rain too.A good time also. I don’t mind the rain if I’m out already running. However I’m not one for actually setting off out into the rain. I’m just a chicken that way. 🐔🐔.

I thought as I was running this morning I felt some spots but I was lucky 🍀

Smashing post and photo.👍🥰

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thanks, Folkylass. I’m a chicken, too, mostly! Having a 2 day break now before Running Club on Tuesday 😊

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Ha! Enjoy your break !😂😂