I wasn’t planning another exciting run today. The builders are still at home which means I’m still not wanting to be there. They’re very keen and have arrived before 8.30am every day. That’s helped with getting up and out. Friday is Pilates day and I usually try to run before. It was an opportunity for the third flat run of the week, and my calf and glute were a bit stiff so I thought a gentle pootle would do them good.
I arrived at the start and couldn’t decide what to do. The “it’s ok 5k” was an option but on a whim, I opted for the “9k run”, but not really planning to do all of it. The weather was grey and miserable and the scenery was nothing like yesterday-just a housing estate and an old runway (pictured). I wasn’t even feeling particularly enthusiastic so I’ve no idea why I chose the longest run I’ve done for ages. Still. It was a good decision!
On a whim, before starting I nipped to the leisure centre shop for some run fuel. The best option seemed to be peanut butter balls on the basis that they were the only thing that fitted in my leggings’ pocket! They were nice though and suitably portioned for eating at intervals. I wish I’d had my hydration vest today-it was hot and I was quite thirsty. That doesn’t usually happen on runs of this length.
The guided run is great in places and extremely annoying in others. Daniel the engineer tries out modifying Coach B’s voice. That nearly tipped me over the edge, and not in a good way. There are some good questions about what holds you back in your running, follows by time to think through how you can combat that. Ego is my biggest issue-I often don’t want to run comfortably slowly because don’t like the numbers. I also don’t like taking breaks. This came at a very opportune time. I’d hit a bit of a wall about 5km in and really wanted to end the run. Instead, I just rested for a minute or so on a conveniently located stone bench. That was just enough to get me to the end.
The last km was a bit of a slog but Usher got me through via the “1Xtra Throwback Thursday” mix on BBC sounds. Not my usual choice but hit the spot today! I was very pleased to finish the full distance right back at the start. My route planning has got much better recently!
9km is a weird, in betweeny distance to me, so I doubt I’ll run it again but it’s given me a great confidence boost that 10k is happily within reach.
Anyone done this one yet?
***SPOILER ALERT***
If you have done this run, what did you think of the surprise pace changes at 6km?!!
NRC ‘Another 10K Run’
