New distance PB - 16K/9.94miles! (Darn that extra 0.06...!)

[dottiemay]

Previous best was 14K and today was the day I set out to try to do better. This wasn't about time or speed but just running further. The weather was perfect too, cool and just a light drizzle.

I started off slowly and tried to keep a steady pace, which I'm not very good at. Breathing was fine, legs felt good and I ran beyond the point I usually turn back at until I came to the VERY long VERY steep hill which I have absolutely NO intention of attempting.

Headed back, detoured again to extend the distance, managed to cross the ring road without risking life and limb and checked the Garmin for the first time so as to decide which way to head next...11.2K! Everything was still feeling okay apart from my usual niggle in my upper inner thigh, but I've learned that it doesn't affect my running and I just live with it now.

So, the decision was to try to make 15K. If I just carried on towards home, that would be about right so turned up the hill, using my butt muscles to push me up, crossed another main road and just kept going! Had to do a bit of doubling back to make it up to 16K and nearly got taken out by a woman on a mobility scooter who came screaming around a corner and was too busy looking at her watch to bother about pedestrians on the pavement until I shouted at her, then had a short cool down walk to my house.

Considering the route has a lot of ups and downs, albeit not especially steep but that used to nearly do for me, I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the time too! Apart from the final 1K or so, it felt comfortable and I never felt that I was pushing myself. Maybe I do have a Half Marathon in me after all........

[Nerdio Graduate]

Fantastic effort, and great result.

Isn't it funny how now the idea of missing out by a 'mere 0.6 miles' seems so frustratingly trivial. 18 months ago I would have been dead chuffed to run 0.6 miles, not it is truly nothing.

[dottiemay Graduate in reply to Nerdio]

Yep, especially when I realised it was actually 0.06 (original post amended) - was never good at numbers!! Just a few more seconds.......

[Hules Graduate]

Amazing distance- you have inspired me - thank you

[dottiemay Graduate in reply to Hules]

Oh, that's lovely thank you! I thought 14k was pushing my luck but have done a lot of work on speed and stamina lately so thought it was worth a go!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Wow! Respect Dottiemay!

[dottiemay Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you! Might get to that elusive HM distance - you never know!

[TurboTortoise Graduate]

Wow, that's an impressive distance, one I aspire to but am still quite scared of! I think a hm is definitely within your reach.

[danzargo Graduate]

WOW!

[chappamaddog Graduate]

How long ago did you graduate. I did a week ago and managed 6k thus evening. You must be thrilled with that distance

[dottiemay Graduate in reply to chappamaddog]

I graduated Dec 2012 so it's taken a while to get here! But for me, it's about improving slowly and carefully. I'm one of the 'more mature' brigade and not really looking to be a marathon runner - just maintaining middle distance is okay with me.

And I definitely didn't manage 6K for quite some time after graduation, so well done to you!

[carerof Graduate]

you are amazing dottiemay!!!!!!!