"Owning my run" - thanks ju-ju- 😊🏃‍♀️

Despite the light drizzle and gentle breeze, it was already 16 degrees when I set out for my run this morning just after 7am.

I decided on a change of route and headed down a quiet path towards the river and The Ruins, a beautiful Tudor Manor House that was ravaged by fire nearly 400 years ago but which failed to make the house any less imposing.

As I ran I listened to one of Fearne Cotton’s “Happy Place” Podcasts, an old episode from a few years ago featuring Stephen Fry. I’m new to podcasts and am so glad to have discovered them. I found the peace and quiet of running tech free after graduation really refreshing, but a few runs ago I felt I needed something to listen to as I'd be over-thinking my running and getting into a bit of a pickle. The podcasts are a welcome distraction.

I also put into practice ju-ju- 's latest nugget of wisdom from her post on the 10k forum yesterday, titled 'Own your run". As ju-ju suggested, I focused just on myself. I thought about my reasons for running and how lucky I feel to be running again after injury. When a graceful gazelle passed me, running effortlessly downhill with her two dogs, I "owned my run" as red-faced and hot, I smiled at her and pushed myself uphill in the opposite direction to head home.

Sections of today's run were hard work, but it was rewarding nonetheless. It is the longest distance I have run since my injury, covering just short of 5k during my 5/30/5 minute repeat of a week 9 run. I now feel I am beginning to show some progress again. My next goal is to run for 5k and I aim to start ju-ju-'s Magic 10k plan in the coming weeks.

Wishing you all happy runs, wherever you are on your journey 😊🏃‍♀️

[Timotea Graduate]

Gosh! Speedy Gonzales or what? Still can’t run 5k in 30 mins! Well done you and glad you are back on track again

[Hidden in reply to Timotea]

Oh no, I'm still a snail 🐌😊!

Today I covered 3.92km in the 30 minutes, 4.93km was my total for the 40 minutes, so I still have a long way to go! My aim is to be able to run for 5k at Parkrun when it restarts...... 🤞🏼

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Live your timings Delly-dot; they’re so similar to mine! I love being a 🐌!

[Hidden in reply to Oldgirlruns]

😊 🐌 A slow snail's 5k is the same distance as a swift gazelle's 5k..... 😌

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

...but we snails have taken time to savour every moment!😂😂

Lovely to see you returning after injury. Amazing photo. 😄

[Hidden in reply to Elfe5]

😆 Absolutely Elfe5! Thank you 😌

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a nice pace!

[Shar71 Graduate]

What a stunning veiw you had this morning, and well done on yet another good run, and dont forget that gazelle was running downhill not up like you 😊.

Good luck with ur next 5k run and moving forward to 10k x

[Hidden in reply to Shar71]

I have just registered for Parkrun as an incentive to keep me focussed on getting to 5k. I have a way to go yet, so I hope Parkrun won't restart with out me!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Parkrun will welcome you whenever you join it! And if you can’t quite manage 5k you can walk the last bit - lots of people walk the whole thing! All we need is Parkrun back!

[Runjilly Graduate]

Well done Delly you have been patient and I don't think your runs are slow.. quite speedy for a snail anyway! Had a look at Ju-ju's post and loved it, thanks for highlighting it because wouldn't have seen it otherwise ☺️. Will be using that myself as I am still plodding and consolidating and finding it tough in the heat. I set off around the same time as you this morning but did manage 5k in 40 minutes but happy with that 😌. You will complete that 5k run soon. Lovely picture!

[Hidden in reply to Runjilly]

Thanks Runjilly. I’m not very up on pace and what it all means, I just know I want to run 5k. Sounds like you are doing brilliantly on your consolidation runs 😉👍🏼. A super achievement to do 5k in 40 mins. 👏🏼

[Runjilly Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Delly. Your 5 k is just on the horizon! Like you I hope to take on the 10k magic plan sometime so have just joined over there!

[Nilsam Graduate]

So pleased that you are in your "Happy place". It sounds like you really have found your zone and you are a fantastic runner. Great post. Keep safe and happy running 👣🙋🏻‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Nilsam]

Thank you Nilsam. Hope your arm is healing well and you are enjoying pootling in the garden and doing some painting? 👩🏻‍🎨🎨🖼

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Delly-dot. Trying not to let Enid relax too much. Getting far too comfortable. 😎 Take care.

[Allbarron Graduate]

Brilliant post Delly-dot! Just like us I bet she didn't always run like a gazelle and I'm sure one day we will look that way too but until then enjoy it and own it. I'll be running a longer run tomorrow and I intend to adopt that mantra. Oh and what a beautiful place you chose to run, very inspiring!! 👌

[Hidden in reply to Allbarron]

🤔One day I will be a gazelle.....

Ju-ju's "I own my run" mantra is great. I have it in my head like an ear worm now... 😀

[Roxdog Graduate]

Sounds brilliant Delly-dot, so glad you're back on it and enjoying your runs. Take it easy, I'm now injured and it's not nice, so it's important to ease back in!

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

Sorry to read you are injured Roxdog 😟. Being on the Injury Couch is frustrating when all you want to do is run and it seems to be getting busier just now.... I hope you aren't laid up for too long.