Okay.. the shortest post was yesterday. I was very excited, at running for 7K, ( well 6.92K ), Secan said I might count it.... but I can't really. I got a tad busy, so, writing the longer post re-run now... Not quite so excited now, as just read a lovely post; someone who Graduated in March has done 10K !
Oh well... I made my mind up I was doing this just for me, and was going to run as I decided!
This run was to see if I could run for 7K, comfortably. I have been trying to extend my distance a tad, and have had different runs with different success levels, Taking it very steadily though.
I decided to run the Friday, Hound of the Baskervilles run again... minus the rain, the mist and the hound. Daughter picked me up, again, yesterday morning 7-15.... I got to the allotted pick-up point, but 7-30 before she arrived, train and then another train, slowed her down. I was a tad chilly, as I had been out warming up since 7... and had actually run for 10 minutes, up and down the hill, like a demented grey snail! Daughter much happier about dropping me, no rain, no mist; so much so, she passed the drop off point and took me further out! Yikes. Waved goodbye, to happy offspring, switched on the first of the run's play list, Laura and Speed..., and set out along the level. Gin-clear cloudless sky, sunshine and bright, but... cold!
The air as it hit my lungs, was icy, it made me gasp. It was so chilly. I really struggled for the first five minutes to get my breathing even and calm. Hat pulled down, buff pulled well up ( Bless you Ullyrunner). I continued at quite a pace along the level and was so busy concentrating on my breathing, that I was at the end of it in no time. I can't honestly say I noticed much. I had random thoughts whizzing around my head, heart attack, lung spasm... eek! Then, I was suddenly aware that the beat of the music in my ear, was giving me a natural breathing rhythm...no idea which tune..but it matched my breathing and steadied me down. Relief... 
I had for a fleeting moment, considered ringing husband to come and get me; but, neither icy breath, ghostly hound, White van men, mud, sleet, snow or ice shall stop the Snail! On I went. I had decided on a newish way back, through a small estate and along to the hill that leads me towards home. Slight error of judgment here, and yes, I had checked the route, or so I thought... the road through was, a) longer than I thought and b) steeper. Just think...Eiger, White Spider, ( Eiger)...(okay maybe not) , but it was steep, so steep, I did not really run, and I love running down hills! It was more a gentle joggy walk. Made the bottom in one piece, said, Good morning, to a small dog, and owner, owner responded, Dog looked at me oddly! Along, now at a quickened pace to my hill! Down the hill past a long line of stationary traffic.. drivers and passengers, they all stared, obviously admiring the style, grace and gentle elegance of my running.... ( I am joking): I cut along through a larger housing estate and again extended the route.
Not many folk about here, and quite pleasant peering into different gardens and looking at different things... I get loads of ideas for garden design and planting and noticed a particular fetching re-creation of Stonehenge! Not what you would expect to see. My running now, was steady, breathing well and lifting those heels, onto Stamina in my ear now and going well. Not out of puff and enjoying the change of scenery; I detoured back along a familiar road and chose to do a slight deviation up a small hill and back around. I actually chose the hill! Then, back onto the way down. Birds singing, the golf course, greens pristine in the early sun, not a golfer in sight, the Silver Birch, buds, budding, trailing branches of the willows, showing lacy veiled fingers and down to the big roundabout. The morning traffic below me, getting going now as I ran right down to the bottom of the hill and the station. My stopping point. I had plenty left but I stopped. 50 minutes and 55 seconds... Had I done it?
No... 6.92 K...!
Well...there we go...so, what has the run taught me? I can run for a decent length of time, I must be reasonably fit, I really need to check my route very carefully. The first five to ten minutes, as ever, are the hardest for me... my legs get tired at this stage and then they are completely fine. I can almost run for 7K. I am so happy that I am able to run.
Also, I do not like that route very much. I like the open countryside and the tracks ,and weather permitting, all my runs will be on that sort of terrain from now on.
I'm pleased.. and yes davelinks.. you were right.. it is a long post
And, to finish the quote, " Your speed , your distance, do not matter, forward, is forward ."
PS
I put the route I ran onto the computer and it showed as 7.10 K, but I am sticking with the 6.92K...
Stop thinking speed matters?
Speedy Gonzales! (Well, for me anyway!)
Measuring speed and distance
What's your Fitness/Speed improvement?
Advice: distance or speed
