10 Mile long run done! That's the furthest I've ever ran in my entire life!

[Redcello41]

Just completed my 10 mile long run ahead of the Bath Half in 2 weeks time! Now I am not going to lie, it was raining the whole time, the run felt difficult from the off and was a struggle for most of it. I ran the Bath Half route but backwards to what we will be running on race day! There was a lot of stopping and starting (I even had to pop into a shop to go to the loo at Mile 2!) to cross roads and waiting for crossing lights to change. I also did have to walk a few bits too because I was finding it difficult, especially towards the end, so it wasn't a smooth run by any stretch of the imagination!

But I bumped into a more experienced runner that I know a few times along the route because he was running it the opposite way, and he gave me the encouragement I needed and gave me a few tips which was brilliant, it really spurred me on when I was finding my run tough.

Even though I walked a bit, stopped and started lots, this is still a huge achievement for me because it's the furthest I have run in my entire life! However, I will not be claiming my 10 mile badge though because my personal rule for myself is that I only earn a badge if you run the distance in an official race. I know that I finally broke the 10 mile mark today, but it was only a training run, so no badge for me. I may run a 10 mile race at some point, if and when I do, I will be claiming my badge then!

Part of me doesn't want to count today's run because I did have to walk every now and again (I always like to count a run when I don't stop running at all!) but at the same time, I do need to cut myself some slack because I can run an 8K comfortably and constantly and to run twice the distance two weeks later, my body is going to find it hard (plus my stomach was niggling me a bit)! I only had to up my mileage that quickly because of previous stomach issues that resulted in 5 weeks missed training! So the long and the short of it is that I am glad that I completed the distance even though I had to walk bits and found it hard. This run definitely consolidated the meaning of the word 'endurance' for me!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's just fantastic. It was always going to be hard because you've had to make a big jump there, through no fault of your own. Your sheer determination deserves a medal, let alone the distance! You should feel very, very proud and must be very kind to yourself for at least the next 24 hours. 👏👏👏🎉💪

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you so much Linda! Yes I am very proud of myself, still can't believe it! I probably will feel sore tomorrow so will make sure I rest up.

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations on completing that 10 mile long run, would it not be better for you to run your second 10 miles run away from traffic, road crossings and traffic lights, perhaps in a park, even if it meant running around the same part, that way you would not need to stop and you would have a even better time, once again well done on that run🏃🏾👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! Yes on my second 10 mile run (which will be a long time after the Bath Half!) I do intend to run away from roads and traffic and stuff like that because I hate stopping and starting during runs!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Abso-flipping-lutely brilliant Redcello! I’m so so happy for you! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Huge kudos for running today too. It’s rained non-stop and I’m only 13 miles away in Bristol! 💦💦💦💦💦💦

Really well done. Bring on Bath! 👊💪🏃‍♀️👍👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you so much, I can hardly believe it! I am so pumped for Bath Half now!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I think that you should change your rule and claim the badge; you have really earned it. On a 10 mile run traffic, other people, dogs, call of nature etc are all likely disruptions....I have done all run 10miles and an HM, but you really need a quiet trail for that. Your are a 10 mile runner; no ifs or buts .......👏👏👏👏😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks! You have persuaded me to change my rule just this once because it is a great achievement that I was even able to run 10 miles despite everything that has gone on in the last few months with health, hospital visits and stuff hahaha!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Looks good 👏👏👏👏

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks! 😃

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done on your 10 miles!🙂 👏👏👏 . I can see from your posts that you are doing some big jumps in your distances to catch up on your training and today's run must have taken so much determination to get through - you must feel very proud! 💪

Rest up well for a couple of days now - you want to stay fit for the big day! I think AlMorr makes a good point about training somewhere where you can run quietly and with fewer interruptions, although it sounds as though you wanted to do a little reccy of the route, to me! When I ran the Bath Half, I had done all my training on local roads and trails here in Surrey and had no idea what lay before me 🤷‍♀️, although my sister(who I ran with ) had run it before.

Are you tapering now and saving the full 13 for the day?

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you! Yes there were a few bits where I really had to dig deep, grit my teeth and just get it done! I am very proud of myself, strange to think that I was dying at the end of running 30 seconds in C25K a year ago, and here I am, the 10 mile mark broken despite health hiccups and life getting in the way!

Yes I am tapering now, but not entirely sure how much to cut back now. My plan is probably going to be along the lines of doing a 3K, 5K and then a 6K long run next week, and then do 3K on the Monday, 3K on the Thursday (very gently) and then the Bath Half on the Sunday. I have no idea if that sounds right in terms of tapering?

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Sounds good to me...👍🏃🏽‍♀️

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Good, at least I'm kind of know what I'm doing hahaha

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

..and I'm glad you changed your mind about the badge - wear with pride!👍😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks and I shall!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Awesome! Have a badge 😊😊😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

oh go on then, where do I get my badge?

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Redcello41]

I gave it to you! If you're using the HU iPhone app you can't see it next to your name on posts and comments, I'm afraid. Log into HU in a web browser to view it 😊😊😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thank you, I can see it now! I'm glad I changed my mind!

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done 😃👍💪🏃‍♀️

I always walk a bit. I like to eat my snacks without choking If you stop when you need to it’s fine 🤷‍♀️😃

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks! I think I need to stop being so hard on myself hahaha

[lexi6 10 Miles]

What a brilliant effort Redcello you should be so proud of yourself. You so deserve that 10 mile badge 👏🏻👏🏻⭐️

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Thank you so much, I am very proud of myself! I keep on getting reality checks every now and again, that I ran 10 miles today! Mad stuff!

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to Redcello41]

Your badge looks great. Bring it on Bath! 👍 🙂

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Wow, that was quick!

[SueKen Half Marathon]

That’s amazing - well done! You will be fab at the Bath half.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to SueKen]

Thank you! I can't wait for it, only 2 weeks left to go!

[Hidden]

Outstanding I wanna be able to crack that distance

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! Don't worry, you will crack that distance! Just take it one training run and one step at a time! You've got this!

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

10 miles! 🏅 And oo blimey, that's super dedicated, if I didn't count runs that had walks in I'd have barely any 😆 I don't stop in an organised event, but during training I'll stop for anything. To pet a dog, to look at a bee, smell a flower, look at a view, a bit of window shopping, eat a flapjack -- I'm very easily distracted!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks! Yes, I've realized that I need to be less hard on myself and if I need to walk bits then that's okay!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Whoop whoop! That’s brilliant! I was thinking of you yesterday and wondering how you were getting on with that wild weather 😩Extra points for running 10 miles in that 💪🏃‍♀️

I hope the legs are ok this morning and I bet you still have a really big smile on your face 😀 Really well done to you 👏

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irishprincess! I am feeling very proud of myself and can't quite believe that I actually managed to do it! It's a real milestone run for me!

Feeling a tad achey this morning but not as bad as I thought I would be feeling. My right hip flexor does feel sore however (that's a weak area anyway, I've had trouble with that area before) which I am a bit concerned about. I used the foam roller on it this morning and will continue to do so for the next few days and I might have to book a sports massage or physio depending how the next week of tapering training goes! 😃

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon]

Many congrats Redcello! I ran 10 miles for the first time myself last week, it's a surprising thing to get your head around, isn't it? Who would even walk 10 miles let alone run it!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Thanks! Yes it is a big distance to get your head around. I have always thought my 8K runs were super long, now they are not compared to running 16K yesterday! Madness! 😃

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Awesome job Redcello, you've done so well managing to bounce back and pick up distance after your health issues.

Congrats 🥇

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Thank you! Yeah I'm just glad that I'm able to run, let alone 10 miles or a half marathon! Has definitely been an adventure, I'll tell you that much! 😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done Redcello, 10 miles is tough and you’ve achieved it whatever stops you made. I don’t know if you are taking nutrition during your run but I needed it for runs over 10k. When you do the Bath Half, don’t be worried about walking at the water stops, or popping into a portaloo, it’s getting over that finish line that counts.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks! Can't believe I did it to be honest! Yes, I took a gel every 5K and that's what I'm doing on race day too! And you are so right, the aim (especially for me considering everything that has happened over the last few months) is just to cross that finish line, no matter how many stops I have to make or bits I have to walk! 😃

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Fantastic achievement RC - well done !👍🎉😀

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks! And ran in a 5K race this morning too (post to come later)! 😃

[Joster Half Marathon]

Congratulations, that's brilliant. I'm like you, first half (next weekend, Cambridge) and the furthest I've been is 10.5 miles! Unlike you, I claimed my badge! Good luck in Bath, you've got this.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

Well done on your 10 mile run and good luck with your very first half, you will smash it! I quickly had a change of heart and claimed my 10-mile badge after people on here encouraged me to claim it hahahahaha!

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

And I have to say why not! You’ve run 10 miles!!! 👍👍👍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

Exactly!

[Hidden]

Inspiring effort, well done you!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! 😃

[tiggs1 Marathon]

That is brilliant and well done... this terrible weather really is making running harder.

Good luck in your HM

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to tiggs1]

Thank you! Yes, roll on spring and summer I say! 😃