10K PR in storm Francis

[RunBrianRun]

I was supposed to run this on the Downs with my brother but he called to let me know he was tired and needed to preserve his strength as he starts his radio therapy tomorrow. I’ll miss running with him these next 6 weeks. 😢

So I decided to stay and run around Chichester and see how I felt. I got off to a good start and went completely off road for the first 5km but after the first 2 km I had to stop and take a break. I wasn’t even pushing hard but my legs weren’t up for it. I was in two minds whether to turn back but decided to press on to 5 k and Jeff it from there if I needed to. I took my gel at this point hoping it would help. Anyway, I stopped again at 5k and took a few seconds to stretch and gather myself before heading down to Centurions Way for the return journey. Oh boy did the wind suddenly hit me hard on the exposed trail here! I decided to slow up but not stop and I dug deep to keep my legs turning over. It was at this point that I recalled someone on HU mentioning Paula Radcliffe’s counting to 100 so I tried it and it really seemed to work! So thank you to whoever that was. 😊. The wind kept lashing me as I approached 7km but the trail was much more sheltered at this point and I was feeling good again (probably the gel) so I decided to see if I could lift the pace for the last 3 km. I really gave it everything in the last KM, which I completed in 4.21, which I was really happy with considering the terrible first 5km. I completed the whole thing in 52.24 with the second 5k just under 25 minutes, so I’m really happy with that. A run of two halves for sure. I’ll miss my running buddy over the next few weeks and I’m rather down about it all tbh but the running keeps my spirits up. I’m hoping to break 50 minutes sometime this year and run it with my brother. Well done to everyone who braved storm Francis today 💪

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow, that sounds like a phenomenal run. I was reading the report and wondering how on earth you managed a PB. To throw out a 4:21km after 9 challenging kilometres is pure grit!!!

We'll be looking out for that sub 50! Best wishes to your brother - keep running for him and you both

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda. It was good for body and soul. I’m still after that sub 50. One day soon hopefully. I’m targeting the Brighton 10KM run on October 11th. I’ve never set myself a challenge for a race before. It’s quite exciting really. 😃

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Very exciting. Good luck !!!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Wow that’s mega fast! Well done 👍🏽

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha. 🙏

[O505k Half Marathon]

Very impressive run in any conditions, well done. 👏👏 Good luck to your brother, I’m sure he will enjoy hearing the stories from your runs.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to O505k]

Thank you O505k my brother will be getting my reports for sure. 😂 hopefully inspire him too.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

That was one gutsy run Brian. Running in that gale, thinking about your brother .... but wow, you dug deep and look at the results! Fantastic. 👊🏃👏💥

All the best to your brother too. Bet he was proud of you for nailing that run. 🥰

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you cheekychipmunks 😊. It was a mind over matter run and I surprised myself too. I think I’m turning into an old engine that needs a few miles to warm up these days 😂

My brother was impressed and he isn’t easily impressed 😂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done on your 10k - in a super speedy time despite the conditions. Hope all goes well for your brother too - keep running and take care.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj39 😊

[Guinea70 Marathon]

Brilliant run well done on your 10k PB especially in that weather, good luck and best wishes to your brother too

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Guinea70]

Thank you Guinea70 . 😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done BrianUK, it sounds like you put your heart and soul into that run. I had the pleasure of running with that wind behind me for 1.5 km last evening and fortunately I had to run into it for only 1k. What a difference that made- HR up and pace and cadence down 🌬🏃‍♀️

Your brother will be so grateful for all your running stories while he is unable to do it himself. I hope his treatment goes well.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you Dexy5 😊. Yes I didn’t really notice the wind on my first leg mainly as it was in woods but oh my it hit me hard on the second leg. It almost stopped me running altogether at one point and I thought to myself I must look really silly trying to run on the spot here 😂.

I’ve just heard from my brother that he plans to set himself a challenge of running every day of his therapy. I’m not sure how wise that is but it’s incredibly brave and just shows how addictive running is and how powerful it is for our mental health.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Incredible effort Brian. I know that something to battle against helps at times of stress, but this was above and beyond. Your brother will be proud. 🙂👏👏👏👏

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you Beachcomber66 🙏 I hope to do him proud by going under 50, he is the reason I started running in the first place so I will do him proud I hope.

[Hidden]

You got flames coming off you my man 🔥🔥🔥🔥

That's an awesome time, well done you! Very best wishes to your brother.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hidden 🙏

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Woohoo!! Congratulations xx

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks 😊 roseabi . My Garmin says I need 67 hours to recover 😂😂😮

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles]

Great run, that sounds like it was a real willpower run and you battled through, well done. Happy running 🤗

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks Grannyhugs 🙏 I knew I had it in me just needed to dig deep to find it. 😀