I did my first 10 mile run today, it took me nearly 2h and I am a bag of aches. It had a 302m elevation. The last half-k was a struggle, and I'm not sure if it was a mental thing or not. I'm proud of myself though, it feels as if I can manage that half marathon I'm training for, I wasn't really convinced until today.
I usually run in a loop around the town, but that wouldn't have been far enough and I didn't fancy zigzagging about to make up the distance, so I ran in a straight line halfway to Tunbridge Wells and back. I drive that route about once a month, and last time I made a mental note of how much pavement there was so I knew it would be practical. What I never realised before is that there's a bridge over a river on that road. I felt a bit stupid, I've driven that route for over twenty years without ever noticing a river - to be fair the river is in a steep gorge but I never noticed the gorge either! Apart from that it's not the most interesting route, so I think I'll look for another for my next long run.
I've discovered that the absolute perfect weather for running is light drizzle. It took over 90 minutes for the water to reach into my socks, but for the whole run it was beautifully refreshing and kept me cool.
I have a blister now, it's my first running blister. Also, because I went for a walk yesterday and went shopping in town and then I forgot to bring any of my shoes into the warm, all my shoes are soggy. I think I have a good excuse not to leave the house now until Sunday. And I've probably burned through enough calories to have a good excuse to eat some Nutella straight from the jar. If you disagree on that last point then lalalala I can't hear anything.