Strava said “this is harder than your usual effort’. Too right

[Dexy5]

This promised to be a momentous occasion. For the first time, UpTheStanley and cheekychipmunks were to run a Half Marathon and I was to run 10 miles. Virtually together.

We set the alarm for 7.00 and started our run at 9.05. A bit later than planned and we knew cheeky would have been well ahead of us. It was sunny from the outset and according to Mr Garmin, it was 12C with a 19kph north easterly breeze.

So the plan was that Stanley and I would run together for the ten miles and then he would finish at his pace. He had worked out a route which took us east as far as the Hayling Island Ferry, back west to the Pyramids centre, where I do Pilates, down the Lady’s Mile which is flanked by trees, and then turn east to join the route of the Great South Run for the last 7k. I was wearing my hydration vest so had a little sip of electrolyte water at each km and the reward of a date at the end of each 5k. At 10k I also had a nibble of energy bar and walked a little as I intend to do at the race water stops. Once I got running again I wasn’t aware of my watch beeping the 11k and 12k markers - maybe because this was new running territory up a slight incline past the Eastney Tavern and along a residential street. After a right turn we reached a known running route again and we both decided to make a quick visit to the public loo, because we could. We had run 13k at this point and the rest of the run was along the familiar prom. It felt like it had gone better than my 13k, 14k and 15k runs even though the temperature had increased a lot, especially when out of the breeze. I was constantly mopping my face with the Garmin wrist band I got in my New Forest Run goody bag, and my sunglasses kept steaming up, so I had to keep taking them off. The peaked cap was doing a good job.

Pace was going well at a steady average of 8:15, but my 15th km sped up to 7:57. I think it must have been the smell of the coffee ☕️ but Stanley thought I was being drawn by a runner in front of us. Then in the 16th km the knee niggle started up. I was so grateful that I had got this far before I felt the need to seriously Jeff. Stanley ran ahead and and then doubled back several times so that he saw me to the end. I tried to engage the glutes when I ran to take the pressure of my left knee and I’m pleased to say I was running over the finish line . In fact I ran 16:12 km just to make sure it counted as 10 miles on both Garmin and Strava. Yippee. I’ve done it. I can’t say I enjoyed it all but if it goes as well as that on the day, I will be very happy. I think I told GSR that I was aiming for 2:15 to 2:30 and today I did 2:14 plus 2mins for the loo break.

After my stretching exercises I headed for a coffee and half litre of water while Stanley did his additional 5k. That’s it - 10 miles is enough for me . No more. HM doesn’t tempt me at all.

I’m not sure what training I need to do over the next month, apart from tapering in the last week, but I’m sure that someone will advise me 😉

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well well Dexy5, you did it; never in doubt so far as I am concerned!! Massive congratulations 👏👏👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾🏆🥂🥇🥇🥇🏆.

The recommended post run procedure is to eat loads and get totally smashed!! I know that I can rely on you to do the necessary.😊What a hard running squad we are !! 😊😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ha ha Beachcomber66. It is down to cheeky , Stanley and you 2 musketeers that I got there, albeit a bit later.

It’s another day when food shopping has been written off, but Stanley is going fishing at the local chish & fip shop tonight. I have already wolfed a packet of crisps and a mars bar in the name of running. 😄

A beer may be consumed for hydration purposes. 🍻🍻

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I had to reach for the chocolate as a gesture of solidarity. You did this Dexy5: other can encourage, but there is only one person putting one foot in front of the other ! Happy boozing 😊😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks lovely beachcomber

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Have found a way to gate crash the party...off to the fish and chip shop!! 😋😋😋

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Enjoy 🐟🍟

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Amazing run Dexy! How brilliant that your knee behaved and allowed you to achieve that fantastic landmark! Awesome - now we’re fully primed for the GSR, but after today I’m personally not running at all until PR! 😅🏃‍♀️👍👊🎉🏅

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me neither - we are joining lexi6 at Wilmslow on Saturday before heading up to Accrington to watch some footie. If necessary I will walk it, especially the upward slopes,

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Serious FOMO! Say hello from me 😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

We will do. Like your meet in Boston, lexi’s visit just happened to be at a place we could get to, and we get to stay with good friends too, just before they go on holiday. It’s fate.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Atta girl!! 👍🏻💪🏻😁 super result! Good for you, great day 💥💫

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks JoJo, I hope I haven’t peaked too soon.

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

Brilliant! Beautifully done Dexy! 10 miles is a fantastic achievement and you should be so proud. 👏👏👏 And on such a hot day too - phew. Rest up well now, you have earned it. 😘 Hope the knee settles down soon. xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie, like yours, the knee is fine when walking. I think the longer distance has aggravated it, but some clam shells must have helped as I went much further today.

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hmmm. Well, see what your physio says, dear Dexy, but yes, ITB syndrome does come on later into long runs, but bafflingly doesn’t hurt when walking. Keep up the clams! That’s one of the exercises my physio gave me. 👍 You did so well today! 10 MILES WOO HOO! xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

It certainly was a momentous occasion! Well done Dexy! That’s brilliant. A nice rest and then you can run amok 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🙂🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you Irishprincess, having had the most welcome Epsom salts bath , I’m on the couch, and I’m not moving.

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Whereas I have to walk to the chip shop

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to UpTheStanley]

My hunter gatherer 😘

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done Dexy - you did it!👍😀👏👏👏👏. So pleased for you!🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, I’m glad we did the last 7k of the actual race as I know what to expect now. Apart from the cheering crowds of course.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Massive well done..what a post...what a run...xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks dear Floss. Respect to you for having done the HM. That’s a long way.

Thanks to you admins too - you are so fast with the badges .

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks you.... I have to say I was as thrilled to run 10 Miles as getting to 5K !! It was the furthest I had run ( at that point ) and I was so excited... it was hard !

Go you... and really well done...

PS

I have booked the Monsal Trail HM again next March

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

I thought you would. It does sound lovely, apart from the HM bit. But I hear they do a 10k too. I think you’re quicker than a snail these days too.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I’m doing the 10k. If you’re not away skiing, it would be brilliant to see you 😃

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Sandie1961]

You are ! Xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

End of March is noted 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

They do...and..I am...shhhh!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Mahoosive congratulations Dexy 👏🎉🏆💥🏃‍♀️ I never had any doubt that our band of musketeers would make it and it sounds like you had a really good run. Thank goodness the knee held out. It is such a long way isn’t it and I am still right there with you that 10 miles is my limit (in fact 10k after GSR). Enjoy your fish ‘n’ chips and a nice cold beer and put your feet up 😃😃😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie, it’s good to know that I can do it if I keep to that pace. Hopefully it will be a bit cooler on the day though. The breeze was behind me at the end too unlike the norm.

All for one and one for all - thanks to you and beachcomer66 for leading the way, and of course to my lovely Stanley for bearing with it at way below his normal pace. I bet his HR didn’t rise while running with me.

And I’ve got a 10 mile badge; someone is quick off the mark.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

What a show off though - 5:27 for his last km indeed!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

Those that can - do! I know my limits 😂😂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Your badge looks great - wear with pride 🏅

[backintime 10 Miles]

Brilliant...really well done !

You deserve those fish and chips ! Oh and the medal : )

What an amazing inspirational day on the forum.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to backintime]

Thank you backintime, and you aren’t far behind us as a much newer graduate of c25k.

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

I am just following in everyone's footsteps on here, you are all showing the way : )

Now allergy season is gone and I can run outside I can increase in distance, couldn't bear much more than 10k on the treadmill lol. Just hope my tight calves become untight calves earlier in my run : )

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to backintime]

I think 5k is my max on a treadmill so well done. Have you tried going a bit slower on the first km to ease your calves in a bit? Also keep up those calf stretching exercises, heel raises etc. You are doing great.

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, I am sort of obliged to go slow as they are tight then ince they loosen up I get a bit quicker. They loosen up a bit quicker if I kind of flex the non running foot in between strides lol...but that's kind of awkward

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Congratulations, Dexy.

Impressive stuff and a great run report too. Hope you will have a good and well-earned rest after all that.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Definitely Stephen, no more running till parkrun for us.

[Becky1606 Half Marathon]

Massive well done Dexy, 10 miles is huge!! xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Becky1606]

Yes , I think you are right Becky. It was certainly not the plan when I started c25k. All I wanted to do was run 5k .

[Becky1606 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Lol all I wanted to do was run for more than 10 minutes! Look at us now <3 xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Becky1606]

And you’ve signed up for a Half Marathon . Good luck to you too.

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Congratulations Dexy - amazing effort with just over 4 weeks to go! Good time too in this unseasonably warm weather - I'm surprised you didn't stop off at the Eastney Tavern for some hydration! 👍🍻😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks JonathanP. If I’d stopped at the Eastney Tavern I definitely wouldn’t have finished the 10 miles. What started as a cool morning quickly warmed up. Despite my sunscreen my face is still a bit warm. 🥵

[uncle_wiggy Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Great job Dexy and a brilliant smile to boot 👍 😉

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thanks uncle wiggy . That was well after the event and a lovely cappuccino. I’m afraid the rest of the day was written off.

[TailChaser Marathon]

Yay!! Well done Dexy! 🥳👏👏👏

Yes, 10 miles is tough but you’ve done it so you know you can do it again. You’ll be fine for the GSR, it’s so much easier in a big group of people and you do a very sensible pace. And look at that lovely badge! Enjoy the glow of achievement and making up the calories you’ve just burnt off 😁👍👏👏

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you TailChaser. Fish and chips have never tasted so good as they did tonight. I’m not sure if I’ll get to Pilates tomorrow but it will probably be good for the body after today’s exertions.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I bet Dexy, naughty food really does taste so much better when you’ve earned it 😋 ! If you can, you really should do Pilates tomorrow, you’ll feel much better for it x

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to TailChaser]

I did. You’re right.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous! Well done Dexy. Now you can relax, confident that GSR is yours for the taking. Hope you're still smiling with pride 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. The day was as bright as when you did the GSR last year, but luckily a north easterly breeze to cool us and help us cross that finish line. I’d take that in October. The grin will take sometime to wear off. 😀

It sounds like your cycling is going well to combat the frustration of being on the IC. Hope to see you back soon.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I will be back! This time last year I had just run 13k - the furthest ever, so you are considerably better placed than I was for GSR

[BaddieThePirate]

Woohoo, well done Dexy 🏅🏃🏼‍♀️. Cheeky went one better and got a new grandchild so I'm afraid you've been ever so slightly upstaged 😄

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I’m happy to be upstaged by cheekychipmunks anytime Baddie. She also ran a lot further than me.

Are you able to make Wilmslow on Saturday? UTS and I will be there to meet Lexi6.

[BaddieThePirate in reply to Dexy5]

Unsure at this stage. Need to get today over with, then work on plan for the weekend. I want to come...

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I do hope so - it would be great to meet you too. But understand you are without a car at the moment

[alisonx]

Wow! Well done Dexy5 you superstar!!!✨ what a fantastic run. You are all amazing. Love the badge too 🏆

I'm sure those fish & chips went down a treat😊 well done UTS!

Enjoy the rest, and good luck for the GSR xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to alisonx]

Thanks so much Alison. I’ve just had a Pilates class to stretch those muscles. Still smiling but a bit weary.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Whoohoo! That is so great. You'll do great on race day.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SaskAlliecat]

So long as I complete it in one piece, I will be happy Allie . Then it’s back to 10ks for me.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I hear you. I have enjoyed my long runs but have burnt out a bit with back to back HM plans so am quite excited at the thought of shorter and maybe quicker runs for a while.

[Katnap Marathon]

👏👏👏🏃🏃🏃🏆

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Katnap]

Thank you kind sir.

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Oh! Wow!!!! Wow! Wow! 10 miles!!!!! Did someone say 10 miles?!!! You super star you! 🌟Yikes! Whoopee! Fantastic! 🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍☀️ 💥⚡️ 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

The badge looks superb by your name! Well done Dexy! Seriously impressive! Brilliant!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you over61, that’s very kind. That’s the only badge you’ll see now. No HM for me. I still can’t believe I can run 10 miles .

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

It is just wonderful! Well done again! You may be pleased to hear that now that it is dark at my 'before breakfast gardening slot' and the amount of gardening required has reduced, I'm planning to increase my running again. I think being able to run those longer distances is so good for stamina. I'm thinking of a 5 minute cycle and then run so that I can explore some new routes. Even getting a little excited at the prospect!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

That sounds an excellent plan over61. I bet your garden looks lovely after all the TLC it’s had. I look forward to seeing your running posts again and pics of 🐄🐂🐃🐏🐑. X

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Lol! 🤣🤣🤣

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Oh! Wow! Dexy5 Just seen your report, blimmin’ brilliant. Just awesome! I haven’t run since Boston with Sandie1961 as I’ve been ill, but can’t wait for Saturday I have sorted out priorities and the Nourish Cafe is within walking distance of the start/finish line 👍 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to lexi6]

That’s excellent. We’ll try to get there 8.30ish so we can meet up before hand. I’ll send you a PM.

[Hidden]

Dexy! Congratulations on 10 miles. Wow, what an achievement. It is a long distance so of course it was tough. How is your knee doing afterwards? Sorry, I didn't see your post until now - weekend catch up on the forum

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Paulanoo, the knee is fine and physio was glad I saw him before it became full ITB syndrome. He thinks it’s a result of extending distance. New exercises for me to do on non run days. I’ll pm you.