Consolidation 18 and Weekly Virtual 5K (10K from me!)

[Jools2020]

I was looking forward to my long run this morning. It promised to be a beautiful morning as I set out just before dawn, lit up like a beacon with my chest torch! The only plan I had was to run mainly in heart rate zone 3, perhaps encroaching into zone 4 nearing the end of my run. My last long run was 1 hr 25 mins, so I would maybe extend that by 10 minutes if I felt like it.

So - playlist through the headphones 🎧 🎶, I set off out of the village on my adventure! I followed the same route as last Saturday, but in reverse. Not much traffic at first. I settled into a slow pace, but noticed that it seemed slightly faster than last week. I was focussed more on the music and looking around as I ran. The kilometres came and went pretty slowly. I turn off the main road onto a single track and would you believe, the same aggressive dog and it’s owner loomed towards me! Again he had to hold the dog by its collar as it barked and lunged at me as I ran past. This time, my heart rate stayed under control as I ran on. After a moment or two, I heard it barking again, so I turned and looked, and they were following behind me. Annoyed now, I stopped and shouted at the owner to keep back. He did, probably wanting to avoid confrontation with this crazy running woman 😂. Crisis averted, I run on and out again onto the other main road. More traffic now as I head back towards the village, but all considerate drivers today! No diving into the hedge required!

I’m up to 7 kilometres now and try to work out the maths. I’m now running slightly in zone 4, but it’s still an easy pace, so I maintain it. I don’t really want to run for more than 1 hr 35 mins, that’s a 10 minute increase on last week. I start to wonder if 10K is do-able!

I’m still enjoying the run and as I get to 8 km, I see some people chatting and join in as I’m passing! I reach 9 km and that’s when I decide to increase pace slightly and get to 10 km! I was surprised that I still had enough in the tank to do this! Suddenly, there it is and I’ve done it - my first 10K! YESSS!

[Blackberrypie Graduate]

Congratulations Jools, gorgeous picture too!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Blackberrypie]

Thank you 🙏. I feel very pleased with myself today 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Nice one Jools 😬👍

it must be 10 K Saturday today haha

woahh that dog would have annoyed me too, i hate things like that , im glad you had a word with the owner .

anyway, isn't it a great feeling to get that 10k under the belt 😬

well done 👏👏👏

it dosent seem that long ago when we struggled with a minute !

well, i don't know about you but it's porridge time now for me 😬

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, it does feel amazing! Definitely 10K Saturday 😀 Porridge time for me, too. The breakfast of Champions! I certainly feel like a champion this morning 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Quite right too !  😬

[wobbles_when_runs Graduate]

That’s so great, well done!

Think you and Ian are in sync!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to wobbles_when_runs]

Haha, yes, I think we are! 😂

[SJ60]

Wow! Congratulations 🙌🙌 what a lovely picture too!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SJ60]

Thank you 🙏. As I was running slowly, it didn’t matter if I stopped to take a photo 😀

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

What a beautiful morning to achieve your first ever 10K! Congrats Jools! 🤩

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thank you 🙏, yes it was gorgeous out this morning!

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

That's a brilliant run and well done on your first 10k😀 I had a false start again today as I started running and all ok until I realised I hadn't started my watch☹️ Stopped to fiddle about to start it and hamstring cramped up again🤔 Tried to restart and run through it but started hobbling, thought better of it and stopped at only 2K😭 May try again tomorrow...

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MontyMooDog]

Thank you 😊

How disappointing about the hamstring. Might be an idea to rest it for a few days. I’m thinking that would be the advice you would give to someone else.

[MontyMooDog Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Yes that's what I did since I've not run since Tuesday. I'll just have to work through it.

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Fantastic run! 👏👏👏 Congratulations on your first 10k.

I bet you were worried for a second when you saw the same dog. Hopefully the owner will keep some distance next time now you have had a word with them.

Great pic too!

Porridge seems to be the breakfast of choice, but definitely a winter thing for me. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer just yet....

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you! It was more of a shout at the dog owner rather than a word with him, but I moved on and refocused on my run 😬

[MccHa Graduate]

Fantastic Jools, really good news your 10K holder 👏👏👏 great run 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MccHa]

Thanks, MccHa! Yes, I’ve joined the 10K club now! 😊

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Brilliant Lady!

Well done! 👏👏👏

Smashed a 10k and at the same time having to deal with a grumpy pooch too! 🐾😡

The owner should have more sense!

What a fantastic start to your weekend 🏆

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Yes, great start to the weekend! Thanks, Jane 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍💕

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations on your first 10k Jools2020 !😀🏃‍♀️👏👏👍 So pleased to see all your hard work paying off! 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you so much! It was just the boost I needed today 😊

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Great result Jools, so impressed how you managed to achieve that distance. I will be trailing in your footsteps at some point. Happy dog free running. 🐕🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Thank you! I was surprised I managed it. I’m a bit achy today, though. Think I’ll take an extra rest day 😊 Hopefully that particular owner and dog will choose a different time to walk 👍