There’s nobody more surprised than me to post that I’ve completed another 10 mile run this morning!
I set out on my circular route which goes through farmers’ fields and a couple of hamlets, before coming back down the main road into the village. The forecast is mild with a breeze.
Well, I put it to you that the forecaster doesn’t know the difference between breezy and windy! It was reasonable as I set out. I wasn’t fixing to chase any PBs on this run; I wanted it to ebb and flow naturally. If I felt like backing off for a while, then I would. I listened to Coach Bennett on ‘A 10 mile Run’ which I had heard before, and knew he was going to suggest Fartleks at some point. Well, no, Coach! Not doing that! Otherwise I enjoyed this guided run.
I eat up the kms at a relaxed pace. I’m aware of the split times, but not ruled by them. Once warmed up, I can feel my pace increasing and I go with it for as long as I want to, then back off again if I’m getting tired. At about 8K I’m on a back road crossing farmland when the wind really starts up! But it’s a tailwind, so all is well. Then I realise with some dismay that once I turn right to head back into the village on the main road, it will be a headwind! For about 6K.
At 10K I reach the main road and turn. I walk a few paces as I drink some of my tailwind mix. I have no choice, it’s the way home anyway - I can run it or walk it, the wind will be the same! It’s battle time, so off I go. It’s not pleasant at all and I think of my sofa 😀. Looking ahead, I can see a hamlet that might give a little protection and I keep going. At 11K I look at my watch and I’m surprised to see that my pace is fine, even though I feel I’m going more slowly. My heart rate is up as I’m working hard. I see I’ve gone into Zone 5 and back off some more. I reach the hamlet and gain some respite from the wind for half a km.
Coming back into the village now at 15K and I’m finally sheltered from the wind. I decide to finish strong and take off running down a single track road next to the river. It has newly laid tarmac and is a joy to run on! I finish running and stop to catch my breath. I’ve done it! Another 10 mile run! Back in the house, I’m surprised to see that the splits, although ebbing and flowing slightly, were really neat and tidy. I didn’t expect to achieve negative splits on this run, but did it anyway and the last km was the fastest. My battle with the wind is surprisingly not reflected in the split times and I also have 2 PBs for 10 miles and 15K 🥰
Such a sense of achievement to run for 10 miles! I earned my porridge this morning! 🥣
First km the slowest at 9:16. Last km the fastest at 7:13.
16.7K at last a 10 Mile run
Half marathon
200 miles and second 10 mile runwalk
