Running has been a long way down the priority list for a good few weeks. I have probably only run about 4 times in the past month. My niggling injury hasn't helped, and a visit to the physio did not give instant success. So, motivation was low today, and I was only half enthused to get out there and run. I have been thinking about it for a while, what do I need to do to get back into it? How am I going to build up again to run 10K? I mean, mentally I have been ready for ages I have just been pussy-footing around injuries. I don't want to knock myself out for a few weeks.
Anyway, I headed out into the blustery late afternoon, and set off for my 'longer route' start point. Usual route, head out of town, round Emberton Park, and back into town. I set off OK, niggling injury was not too niggling so I kept it steady. The first leg round Emberton Park was hampered by a side-wind, and by the first turn I had stopped for a short walk, probably about 20m before I 'kicked myself up the proverbial backside' and started running again. Into the wind now, so not so easy. It wasn't too long though before I had changed direction, and was on the last leg with the wind behind me. I felt good, really good. Pace was steady, a bit warm maybe, but feeling good. I then made the big decision. I was going round one more time, which is another 2.8Km. If I needed to I could stop and walk back, but if I could do it, then run back down the High Street, as normal, that would be 8.4Km (or thereabouts). And 8.4 Km is about 10Km, well 1.6Km short. And 1.6Km is really not that far. (If you haven't graduated yet I know what you are thinking, but trust me when you have run 5K, 1.6K isn't much really. You still don't believe me do you? Give it time, you will one day).
So round I went again, back into the wind, but kept going. Soon enough I was on the last leg and heading out of the park. Endomondo was showing just shy of 8Km. I'm tiring a little, but still going strong. I thought about what Danzargo said about his first 10K. That spirit of it's not that much further, if I just....... So I pushed on, mentally working out where I would need to run, and where I would probably stop.
Down the High Street then, over the crossing and back up to the Market Square. 9K, nearly done. I would just need to nip round the back streets and I have done it. That last Km was hard though, I was so focussed on my finish. By 9.75Km, my pace seemed to be well down, then I saw some one I know. She was smiling at me and waving from the car. I was glowing like a beetroot, and must have looked a wreck. I wasn't smiling, and it was a limp wave in reply. Not the athletic sporting image one would like to portray to a lady. Push on though, 250m to go, but I would do more to be sure I broke 10K, and make up for that little walk about half an hour ago . (Did I really walk half an hour ago, I mean that long ago, and I am still running?).
Finally, Endomondo gave me the news I wanted, a quick glance showed a distance of 10 point something. That's it I have done it. I have really done it! So glad to stop running, I don't think for any reason other than the mental focus had run out. And so to the stats. 10.29Km in 55:19 that's 53:33 for the 10K. Pretty pleased with that. Actually VERY pleased with that, and for once my last Km was not my slowest.
I may not have been running much of late, but I have been reading other peoples blogs, and they have been great. I do think about what other people have done, and are doing whilst I run, and today it drove me on. Thanks everyone.
Time for a nice long soak in the bath and some self indulgent smugness.
Whoooo 10Km I DID IT!!!!!!
Motivated now 
Help! Graduates - I need motivating!
W3R2 - need some motivation 
Week 4 Day 2 - I need motivating :(
Bad weekend need to motivate to run it off but how when so exhausted!!
Struggling so much, need motivation to 
