So, having been distracted by the sheer joy of being able to run 10K comfortably and then getting sidetracked by the vVitality 10,000, I thought it was time to do my second 10 mile run. The first one was not planned. It was one of those βshould I keep going?β runs. The route was my established 8K one, with bits and more bits tagged on!
This time I would plan a proper 10 mile route. With the aid of plotaroute.com and Strava, I soon had my route.
Checking the weather forecast had me a bit concerned. We were in for high winds and rain. I donβt mind running in the rain, but if itβs windy itβs not fun! If I ran early I maybe could miss it.
So I head out just before dawn and settle into a comfortable pace. My aim was to keep between 9:00 and 9:30/km. I would see how I felt about speeding up for the last couple of kms, but assured myself it wasnβt a requirement if I was feeling tired π.
Iβm feeling good and pass the point where I would turn right if I were going on my 8K route........ but no!! Iβm on a 10 mile run today!! And I keep going. Itβs like an adventure, because Iβve never run along this road before. Iβm enjoying the run and keeping to my plan! I turn right and run along a single track road that links the two main roads. The wind is starting to build up and itβs a cross wind, but I battle on! Iβm at 8K anyway, so I may as well keep going π.
Still feeling good at 10K, I turn right, back onto a main road that leads home. Straight into a headwind - oh boy! This part of the route is very exposed and there is no shelter at all from that wind. I feel annoyed that my splits are going to be messed up! Worse, I realise my hair is going to be wrecked! I stop for a few seconds and have a drink of my Tailwind mix; then bravely face the wind. Iβm a runner! We have to cope with the weather. I check my pace and although Iβm working harder, I am winning this battle. I arrive back into the village at 15K. I want to finish strong and I do exactly that! 16.15K. Done and dusted. I had control of this whole run in a way that I didnβt the first time I ran it. First km split was 9:16. Last full km split was 7:35 against the wind.
Iβm very pleased with this run! Home, water, stretches and porridge with seeds, banana and maple syrup. The Breakfast of Champions! πββοΈπ₯£ π
Photo taken last year of the Wash Road (A1101) under water.