HUHM 10k - A stiff breeze, rain, new route & thoughts of the finishing line kept my spirits up and temperature down

[Cantstopmenow]

I wasn’t looking forward to the 10k HUHM this morning. I’ve felt drained and demotivated by the heat and humidity of these past weeks and found it a struggle to run 5k, let alone 10k!

However, this morning I was determined to give it my best shot and, thinking back to my C25K days and Sanjeev’s encouraging shouts of ‘you can do it’, I set off. I started with a familiar route – a quick trot round the park to find my running legs, then a short uphill stretch directly into the wind to find my stamina. I was aiming to complete each km at a pace of under 7min/km and quickly settled into a pace of around 6.30k. I avoided the dog walkers and muddy paths in the woods and took a new route, downhill towards the town which took me to 4k and still feeling strong. The next stretch was 2k, gently uphill and out into the countryside, I was worried that I was going to run out of pavement and have to turn back, or run on a busy road (not an option!). It was raining by this time which was refreshing, but not refreshing enough to keep my pace below 7km (6k was 7.01). I was feeling tired but told myself to keep going and no way was I going to even think about walking a few metres! At 7km (7.08) I was heading back home, on the flat and completely soaked – it was great! I picked up the pace again, by 8km the rain was torrential but I didn’t care, I knew my speed was similar to pre-lockdown levels and I wasn’t going to stop. The final downhill stretch into the village was sheer joy and a final victory lap round the park completed my 10k. Overall my pace was 6.38 min/km and I completed the 10k in 1:06:39. It’s not a PB, but I’m delighted and I’ve got my mojo back. Good luck everyone.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Very nice report, Can’tStopMeow. I feel like I was there running it with you. Well done on getting through it, especially in that weather.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you Stephen. I enjoyed it. I like the new name you've given me, although I'm not sure my dog would agree. 😊

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Seriously, though, you have inspired me for my 10K on Sunday. I have also been a bit demotivated lately, so really want to make a go of it.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Good luck for Sunday - just go for it and picture the finishing line! I'll keep a look out for your report 👍

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you!

[SlowLoris in reply to Cantstopmenow]

I always have to read it twice.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to SlowLoris]

😂😂😂 it didn't occur to me at the time.

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Great description of your run and even better it was raining ( can you tell i love running in the rain)🤣.

You've definitely got your mojo back. Here's to many more happy rain pouring runs🏃‍♀️👏💪

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you Buddy. Yes, here's to more happy, rainy runs - I might have to move to Scotland 😂

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Brilliant CSMN, so glad to hear it...well done 👏

All it takes is one good run to make us remember how much we love it (most of the time) 😉

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Thank you. That's so true Run46 😊

[Kiwipie Half Marathon]

Well done for putting those gremlins in their place! Great run and you found your mojo again, result. 😁

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Kiwipie]

Thank you. It's a relief. Happy running 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Great race report! It's a bit late now, but I was cheering you on at each km mile marker while I was reading it - especially the rain beating sprint at the end. Great job 👏👏👏

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you. I did get some funny looks from a group sheltering under some trees, clutching the hoods of their waterproofs - obviously not runners 😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Their loss !!!

[Hidden]

Love it! Success and achievement here through grit and determination. Doesn't matter how we get there just that we get there sometimes. Still a good time and you can be chuffed you've done it. I always think of the feeling and rest I can get after when it's a tough run.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Its spurring me on to another 10 miles and then my first HM 🤞

[O505k Half Marathon]

Well done, you really had to battle the elements. I just had some wind and dark clouds to contend with, no rain.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to O505k]

Thank you. It's better than the heat though isn't it? When are you doing your 10k?

[O505k Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Definitely better than the heat. Did the 10k this morning.

[BaddieThePirate]

I agree about the recent weather. Well done on an amazing 10km. Great write up 👏👍

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Thanks Baddie. Good to hear your progress too.👍😊