Dark and Scary.....

[ju-ju-]

What with the 5X 50 challenge, I've gone a bit hardcore! This is the Juicyju list:

Fri: 5k ( intervals with lovely Laura)

Sat: 5k, 1 mile swim at the Lido

Sun: Half marathon and week 1 run 1 for my Juicyju Juniors team

So today, a new route to try and trick the mind and make the body submit. My lad and I were dropped off in Cheddar ( the place where cheese comes from !!!!), with a view to run back home on the Strawberry line.

We were loaded up with randoms, water, a gel shot thingy and my usual 'stuff' and off we set.

Those first few K's are always so hard...legs say no, mind says no, panther says go!!! So at 5k in we had some randoms, we were running through beautiful countryside, orchards etc and chatting about running and arguing too ( we always argue, I think we are very similar and I see myself at 12 in him). At least he will still run with me, although he runs off if he sees any of his mates!

Scariest bit:

Having to run through a half kilometre tunnel that was pitch black, we couldn't see where we were going and I held leons hand so hard and I ran very fast, I was really scared!( see pic)

Best bit:

We had pre-arranged my husband to cycle down half way and bring energy drinks, more randoms and bananas, a welcome energy injection at 13k. That really boosted me.

worst bit:

We ran past some sewage works, we both nearly threw up, it was disgusting.

Leon struggled alot and I ended up running back for him alot so he could walk...he ended up doing 18k and I did the half marathon length...

So- home, shower, new clothes and then out with my team of 5 to do week 1 run 1. They did amazingly, I am very proud.....

I am now however a very tired panther, ready for some panther treats and a roast

Happy panthering,

Juicyju

xxxx

[Oldgirl Graduate]

You never did tell me what fuel you use did you? Hard core panthering = HCP where do you get your energy from Juju? Would have cried all the way through that tunnel, scary

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Oh sorry Oldgirl...I use water and randoms, and a lucozade energy at around 13k...yes it was soooo scary but my boy put up with my knuckle crushing grip on his hand!!!!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Wait a minute - you did a HM distance and then went out and did W1R1 with some newbies? Wow! Weren't you owed some couch-time?

And that tunnel? You can see the light at the end of it on your pic, but I believe you about it being pitch black and I think I would have taken a 5 mile detour to avoid it.

Enjoy your panther treats. Hope the roast got cooked for you and you get let off the washing up

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to runningnearbeirut]

Thankyou...the roast was lovely, and just on the panther treats ( wine and creme eggs). I'm not sure I can do it again without a torch...my pic makes it look bright, but it wasn't!!!

[Beek Graduate]

Hi there Juju. You are so lucky having your son to hang on to through the tunnel. Bet it makes him very proud to take care of his Mum like that! But my goodness how well you are both doing with your distances! Amazing.

I think Leon is an absolute star - please tell him that!

Like Oldgirl says - What fuel do you run on? You seem to have boundless energy!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Beek]

awww thankyou...I told him and he went a bit pink...he is a darling boy and always looks after his mum....I don't have boundless energy, I just have a determind streak and a passion for running!!

[Hidden]

Always a delight to read your adventures, and yes it does look very dark very scary in there no wonder you were squeezing tight and running fast, don't think I would have even ventured in there.

And a full on few days of notching up the kms then out with your juniors too.

Well done you, rightly feeling shattered and proud too. Enjoy the roast, well deserved.

Happy Running.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes it was, I was just imagining being kidnapped in there because I could see nothing at all, it was so scary. Tummy full of meat, happy curled up panther purring.

[kickibro Graduate]

Well done! I am ready for a nap just reading this! xxx

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to kickibro]

Ha ha thankyou!!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I am not good at tunnels so I understand your reason for running at speed. Well done for getting through. Sounds like your training is going well. I've upped my training as well I find 5x50 is great for encouragement. Am finding I have to make sure I walk a couple of days a week otherwise I will over train. Hehe my new days off. Leon is doing so well, I am sure your little cubs will sail through with your mentoring as well. Happy panthering.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thankyou...I am really excited about my group, its a family of 4 and my daughter Amarissa...

[no-excuse Graduate]

Oooh there is really no stopping you! The tunnel is probably the only thing that would make me speed up a bit. Well done you and for encouraging your Juicyju Juniors, x

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Thankyou!!!

[Run_Rob]

It sounds like you are almost super human, or super feline at the very least.

Well done on a brilliant run and good luck with the coaching.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Run_Rob]

Thankyou....I'm not either, but I am a panther!!

[LSBeech75 Graduate]

Ooooo you definitely need some treats & a roast. Well done you, that's a pretty amazing distance - scary tunnel, sewage & all !!!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to LSBeech75]

Thankyou...and yes the sewage was a low point...bleughhhh!!

[Fitfor60 Graduate]

Tunnel -eek

Sewage -yuk

Jj juniors - hurrah for you for encouraging youngsters to run

I had to laugh at thought of Leon running away when he sees his friends Reminded me of when I used to take my 6 yr old son to school and he held my hand all the way until we turned corner school was on then he quickly let go and almost ignored me Boys need to look cool His 4yr old son still happy to hold my hand at moment though

[aliboo70]

Blimey juicyju! thats sounds like the kind of run only a panther could attempt! I'm SOOOOOO impressed with how well you are progressing, you're an inspiration to us new graduates! And you son sounds like hes a chip off the old block! that tunnel does look scary! hope you have enjoyed your rest now and that roast...............

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Interesting. I have a route that involves a sewage works and a tunnel (though not that one, mine is a canal tunnel) Sometimes the dog hangs back, she doesn't like the dark. The sewage works... well, definitely a motivation not to stop or go slowly at that point.

Grew up near the Strawberry Line so wondering where that tunnel is now!

[suzybenj Graduate]

Having recently run through a long tunnel - I know how scary it is - expecting ghosts and ghouls to jump out at all points- i had to do it twice there and back - made me run faster tho