At least I know I can do it now- albeit slowly 🐌

[limberlou]

Set out on a mission this morning...good nights sleep, well hydrated yesterday, electrolyte drink and 2 Weetabix for breakfast, hydration vest full and gels in pocket and off I went.

My plan was to see how I went and see if I could still manage a long run after having a disappointing couple of weeks ( of not wanting to run, not running at all or not running very far ). “ maybe 10k” ....???

Well I trotted onto the Tarka Trail as usual and that’s about all I can tell you. I was in my own little world today - breathing was easy after the first 10 mins. I tried to keep my pace down to keep a bit in the tank so no records broken .....EXCEPT ONE!!!! I RAN 13 MILES!!!! I just had a Forrest Gump run I think. I did walk for a total of about 5 mins ( @ about 1 min at a time to swig my gels and to change headphones when they ran out of charge ) but ran the rest.

To be honest the 20k just went by without any bother but I’d miscalculated somewhere so I got back to Barnstaple at about 19.5 so had to run around Castle Green a couple of times to make up the last bit and that was the hardest bit 🤣. I was really watching my watch those last few minutes.

I’m going to dial back a bit now and just run 3 times a week around 5-10k. Until I’m fully retired again. Just wanted to know I could really.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Ah, now I see! Congratulations again 😊😊😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

😀👏👏Lovely post limberlou - huge congratulations on a great achievement! Maybe you just needed to take your foot off the pedal a little to find the love? It's great when you have a run where everything just comes together, isn't it? Rest up well and don't forget to ask for your HM badge!👍🏃🏽‍♀️😀

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Brilliant! Speed really shouldn't matter, you did it! 👌🏻👍🏻😁

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Well I’ve set myself a benchmark now 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well done limberlou! 👏👏👏👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾I am a big fan of the "run slow and see how far I get" " catch the mood" approach on the longest runs. Fantastic achievement 😊😊👏👏

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yup-seems to work for me

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

All the hard work you have put in for weeks shouldn't be forgotten either!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Whoohoo! Congrats limberlou👏👏👏👏. What a great achievement.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thankyou. I am aching somewhat now though and have my first two blisters since starting running- on my second toes as unfortunately they are both longer than the others. I think it was because my feet were soaking by the time I got home ☹️

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

I have a callused crease that blisters sometimes on my long runs on the inside of my big toe thanks to my bunion. It hasn't been bad and the injinji socks seem to help as well as wrapping my toe with hypafix.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Not looking forward to shoes for work tomorrow ☹️

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

Whoop whoop 😀😀😀

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Deals1]

I know!! So chuffed - last time I ran that far was over 25 years ago and then I walked most of it.

Not entering any races this year though. Gonna build up again and try to improve pace a bit before I do.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Woohoo Limber! Absolutely amazing stuff! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

What a superstar, and I know exactly what you mean about Forrest Gumping. It’s how I’ve run all my long runs. I’ll be doing my HM distance mid-end September, after our grandson has been born! 💙

Congratulations to you. You totally deserve it after all your hard training. 🏃‍♀️👏👍💪👊🎉

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks ...suffering a bit now as I’ve realised I have blisters on ends of my second toes and I’m dreading putting shoes in for work tomorrow 🤣

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

At least it's sandals weather!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Yes as linda9389 said, sandals will be the way forward for you this week if possible! 👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fantastic achievement! So well deserved and such an inspiration after your injury too. Hope you have a lovely lazy day ahead, basking in your well earned glory 👏👏👏

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yeah I’ve not done much. Early night tonight I think zzzzzz

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Excellent. Ironically I often don't sleep well after a long run - my legs tend to be twitchy which is the opposite of what I'd expect!

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes!! Me too! But tomorrow I’ll be out for the count

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Worth waiting for

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

You are amazing! What an achievement, very well done.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thanks Sue

[Setters Half Marathon]

Fantastic, well done

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Setters]

Thanks 😁

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Absolutely brilliant, well done Limberlou. I am so chuffed for you 😃👏😃👏😃👏. It’s funny how so often you reach a goal when you roll back the expectation isn’t it? Reduce the pressure and spread the wings!

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Yup. Just going to take it as it comes now until I re- retire fully. 🤣

[Hidden]

Oh crumbs, I missed this! That’s amazing! Well done!!!!

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. Thought I was dying when I finished - came over all faint again several times even though I’d drunk and fuelled plenty and eaten before I went, and slowed down gradually too.....but feel fine today, no aches at all. Just the damned blisters on the very end of my second toes !!! 😡

[Hidden in reply to limberlou]

I got the faintness after only 8k on Sunday, but not after the 10 mile run.

My feet are fine till 15/16k, then suddenly they hurt. I’m lacing looser now.

You’re doing so well. I think things like blistered toes can probably be adjusted to. It was the ends of my toes that hurt after my long run as well. No blisters, but the black toenail is black once more

[CandyCool Marathon]

How fantastic...well done!! I am thinking of doing a similar 'lets just go for it an see what happens', maybe on Sunday. Like you I've had a few 'non running' episode for very similar reasons. But did a comfortable 6k this morning which was a surprise. Understanding the distance I think is key. Wish I was back in Cornwall to run a nice flat estuary. Too many hills around my way, not big but energy sapping.

But a brilliant outcome and a real psychological treat before the actual race. x

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to CandyCool]

I’m not actually entered for a race. I just wanted to see if I could. I’ve only ever done 1 Park Run and I need to do a few more of those I think. Then maybe enter some races.

[CandyCool Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Well some folk (like me!) register for races and then try to work out how the hell we are going to actually run it. Others, like you, are far more sensible and make sure they can actually run before they get to the start line !!!! 🥴🙄🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to CandyCool]

Haha I’m always worried I’ll make a fool of myself

[CandyCool Marathon in reply to limberlou]

That’s what I need to think about!! 😬😂

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Well done! I don’t think I could ever say that 20k went by without any bother 🤣

[Katnap Marathon]

👍😁👍 welcome to the HM club!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap.