"race" report (for the training 10 miler, for the cancelled HM)

[Nevvy]

So plans have changed again, and it's not my fault. Having found an actual HM and booked it in August I re-re-wrote the plan and was only 2 weeks, one 10 miler away!!!! Came home from hols all excited, checked emails for details and found it: another cancelled race.

Feeling very grumpy, I looked here and realised the 10 mile virtual was this week so I popped on me trail shoes, looked at a map and got dropped off by husband to meet him later. The first 2 miles were glorious, running through woodland trails at Blickling, Norfolk, relaxed and easy feeling good. Then I took a wrong turn, knowing I had a road section to link the trails.....but it went on and on and I realised I'd made a mistake. Meanwhile my tail shoes were jolting on the road and I wished I had the comfy, bouncy shoes on instead. I ended up calling hubby (stupidly he had the map) for directions, which he sent by text as I can only remember 2 instructions at a time.

Setting off down a trail again I spied a local outside his cottage and asked if I was on the right track "Yes" came the answer, but not so straight forward as I thought so he went inside and gave me(!) an OS map, just like the one I should have put in my bag. What a nice chap, feeling much jollier on I jeffed, eating black berries and wishing I had some sweets. The next mile was nicer and I picked up the trail, seeing husband, man-child and dog in the distance, I moved gracefully(ha!) towards them and had a much needed slurp of squash followed by an argument about where to meet. Bless them, they don't understand running to distance. We agreed to rendezvous back at the pub and I duly turned around to run back on the trail I meant to run the first time.

I found the trail, an old railway line, and arrived at the pub on about 8.5 miles, much easier with the map! I found family, ordered a drink and ran another loop around the parkland, followed by a slurp of beer before the final 0.3 mile bit. Then I was ready for lunch, but decided to go for pork scratchings and peanuts instead (menu was way pricier than I expected). The whole thing took two and a half hours, lots of faffing but I really enjoyed the impromtu, adventurous, making it up as I went along aspect.

I do realise I am not a great example of "proper" running training, I'm more of a make it up as I go along type. I will take from this the lesson of a map, and food, honest. And if you've read this far without falling asleep....THANKS FOR LISTENING!

[Hidden]

😂😂😂😂👏👏👏👏

Love this! This is what running is all about. It's a lovely story too to look back on. Loved it!

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I realised that's what I love about running too.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds like quite an adventure! Just heading out and exploring is one of the best things about this running business, you come across all sorts of new experiences 🙂

I love the fact you had a slurp of beer before finishing that last bit! Must have done the trick then 🍺

In my book you’re definitely a great example of “proper” running training. Our bodies probably do much better when we’re relaxed and happy. Well done.

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you! I do realise I should have planned better though, hence the "Don't try this at home" disclaimer...........or maybe it was ok at home and "don't try this somewhere you've never been before" would be more appropriate.

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

Sounds slightly chaotic, but that’s what I like about it ha ha. Great report and run - thank you for sharing!!

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

Thankyou! Chaos is my middle name!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Perfect and unique! You could never replicate that run if you tried. Well done! 👏👏👏😀

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thankyou!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

So good! I need to build in prosecco stops for all my runs! Plans change. We adapt. Turn around. Something different. But all good stuff, all great running. Who knows what's next for you 😅

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes, prosecco stops would be even better! As a support station, the family in the pub beer garden was a winner!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I forgot to say - woohoo! Would you like a v10mile badge for a while? I'd understand if you want to hang on to the marathon badge but the choice is yours!

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yay! why not, thanks. After all I have 2 real marathon medals, but a complete lack of v10miler bling! Can I go on the spreadsheet thingy too?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Nevvy]

There you go! New badge shining brightly. By 'spreadsheet thingy' do you mean the glorious Woohoo board? if so, you're on there!😍

[OnlineTwin Half Marathon]

I have wondered what might happen if I took a wrong turn on a long run ... and now I know it might be even more fun! Great report!

[Nevvy Marathon in reply to OnlineTwin]

Absolutely! I often do a short reccy run on holiday, check how it looks on Garmin app and then use that to explore further. I'm not adverse to chatting (harassing?) strangers I meet either, often get top info, but never a free map before!

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Great report Nevvy, sometimes an unplanned excursion ends up being all the more memorable for some reason!😊 Congratulations on getting out there despite the disappointment of another event being cancelled!🙂👏👏👏