Working towards 10K - Just ran 5 miles for the first time!!

[magster]

I have been running 3 and 4 miles consistently since graduating but have not had the energy or the will power to run any further. I had such a lovely run yesterday in beautiful surroundings (see the picture) that I was determined to run further today. I have had it on my mind to run 10K for a while now but to be honest I did not think I would be able to run that far as 4 miles has seemed to be my limit. So with the help of my OH on his bike we set off with 5 miles being the first goal for me to reach. I knew I could run 4 miles so from a mental point of view I just told myself I had to run for just another 10/11 mins to achieve the 5 miles. What I hadn’t taken into account was the strength of the wind, the hills and the very large monkey which was firmly attached to my shoulder!!

I had Endomondo working well today which was telling me my time and distance throughout. The first 3 miles seemed to go fairly well but into the 4th I seemed to run out of steam, so I made a huge effort to get rid of the monkey (my OH ran it over for me lol) and put my head down into the wind and ploughed on.

The route was new to me which in a way helped as I was not sure how much further I had to go so I made a point of looking around at the scenery was lovely – it was all open fields. I was slightly worried at one point as I ran quite close to a herd of cattle and running in my raspberry C25K coloured T shirt the thought of ‘a red rag to a bull’ sprang to mind!

I was running on empty for the last mile but still managed to do my usual sprint to the end and completed 5 miles in 54 minutes which I don’t think is too bad for an oldie. I know I still have to run a further mile to reach the dizzy heights of 10k but at least I now know I am nearly there which for me is a huge achievement both physically and mentally and I still can’t believe that I have just done this!

Next goal - the full 10K – cant wait!

[Gridlet Graduate]

Well done! Great time too! Your photo looks lovely, where is it?

[magster Graduate in reply to Gridlet]

North Somerset near a village called Congresbury

[suki_007 Graduate in reply to magster]

Sounds fab magster, I'm just upping my distances at the moment too. When I saw your photo I thought 'that looks like the somerset levels' and there you go! I was brought up near Clevedon, so just down the road from you. Happy 10K training/running!

[magster Graduate in reply to suki_007]

Thank you and good luck with your training too

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done magster you'll soon be there. You have adopted the same way of getting to 10K that I did and it does work. It must be nice to have hubby along with you too. Next time you go out lets hope there is no wind for you to contend with.

[magster Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks Oldgirl I do take inspiration from your blogs and just keep going! I cannot believe I am running these distances but it it such fun!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Well done! You are doing brilliantly,. That's the idea, never mind distance/speed, just have confidence that you can push yourself a little further than before and then just enjoy the run, it is so life affirming and such a great feeling of pride and achievement when you do it.

[magster Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

Thanks Deryn61, you are quite right its all about the run abnd enjoying it. I ahve to admit enjoyment has taken a while to come but the last few runs I can't honestly believe just how much I have enjoyed them. I was absolutely thrilled to run 5 miles today as its been so long in coming with that darn monkey on my shoulder telling me to give it all up!