First 10 mile run 🎉

[Catho78]

Hi guys, this week marks my 6 month runniversary and I’m pleased to say that today I completed my first 10 mile run! I still can’t believe it!

6 months ago I thought it’d be good to be able to run for 30 mins, then the running bug got me lol.

30 mins achieved, 5K, 10K and now 10 miles! I’m currently on week 5 of my half marathon training plan and aiming to complete this by the end of March/ early April.

I love running and the time out it gives me to clear my head, I’m not fast but I aim to complete my long runs, not compete for now. Who knew my stubborn streak would pay off lol, I won’t let myself stop before my run is done. I’m normally far from home when the urge to walk flickers in my head, I always tell myself it’d be quicker to run home then walk now lol.

I set out today on a drizzly run but the rain stopped, there was a glimpse of blue sky and then the sun came out yay, I was actually hot and had to remove layers after the first 2km.

I ran a new route along local country roads, it’s a beautiful view across the open fields, but the new road today turned out to be a bit of a rollercoaster of hills! Great on the downhill but the uphill was certainly a challenge, they were long, gradual and seemingly endless but I took in the view, focused on one foot in front of the other and the hill was conquered. And by the time I was back to my normal route I’d completed 12K and was only 4K from home. I wasn’t sure if 10 miles was 16.1 or 16.2K so ran 16.5 to make sure I’d made it lol.

Thanks for all the inspiration, tips, support and encouragement from this amazing community, I couldn’t have got this far without the wisdom of you wonderful runners!

Happy running everyone 🏃🏽‍♀️🤗

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Oh, congratulations! A huge well done, you must be so pleased and proud! Fantastic 👏👏👏👏👏💪💪💪👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥳

You’re faster than I was on my first 10 mile run, but as you say, it’s not about speed or pace, just staying on your feet for a long time.

So pleased for you! 😊👍

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Jools2020]

Many thanks Jools, I am pleased to have made it to 10 miles! My other half has ordered me an engraved medal to mark the occasion which was very sweet. Thanks for your continued support and inspiration

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Catho78]

An engraved medal is a brilliant idea to mark your achievement! I have a Notch bracelet and I ordered a 10 mile notch for it. 10 miles! It’s such a long way!! (As well as a stepping stone to HM, which I know you will do!). I’m very happy to be your support and inspiration 😘

[Peter44 10 Miles]

Congratulations Catho78, i know just how your feeling, did my first 10 miles, a few weeks ago, it's mad to think we can run for more than two hours, when thinking back to those early weeks of c25k, how has that happened 🤷‍♂️, sounds like that HM wont be far away for you. 👏👏💪💪

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Peter44]

Thanks and congratulations to you too. I know what you mean, my other half said “you used to worry about running for 10 minutes, now you ran over 2 hours!” How quickly we forget our starting point. It’s quite surreal lol. Having a cut back week in training plan next week but I can see the half marathon now, only 5K on top of today’s run 😬😜

[Couchphoenix Half Marathon]

Congratulations Catho78, 10 miles is an impressive distance 👏🏻👏🏻 Well Done. I’ve managed it twice and I know how tough it is, so I take my running hat off to you 👍🏃‍♀️

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you, yeah it’s a good distance but definitely tough going lol. Thank god today us a rest day as feeling it still today. 😲

[Couchphoenix Half Marathon in reply to Catho78]

You will for a few days, I felt it in my hips more than my legs. I think next time I’ll carry a small water bottle with me and they suggest jelly beans or something sweet, so may take a few of those too. 😋

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Couchphoenix]

Yeah hips and knees not liking me lol. I took a 500ml bottle of squash which helped to sip as I went and had a fun size milky way at the 10K mark and another on my cool down walk. Learning to eat whilst running was a new challenge but doable. Was hotter than I thought yesterday and needed a bit more water so will change it up next time. Jelly babies are good, I found jelly beans too difficult to eat whilst running, they take too long to chew lol. Trial and error 🙃

[Couchphoenix Half Marathon in reply to Catho78]

Thanks for the tips.....I’ll keep a note of those. 😁 it’s definitely milder out there.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Your rise to 10 miles has been meteoric Catho78. You are clearly a natural.,,,,HM here you come; no doubt about it 👏👏👏👏👏🎖

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Lol thanks

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Amazing achievement Catho! I like your approach - it’s a lot like mine - pick a distance and do it! Yep, I’m stubborn too. 😅

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Lol thanks, it’s working so far, we got this 👍

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Wow, congratulations Catho78, that’s a great effort! You’ve made amazing progress in a short time👏👏

I find long runs are great for my mental health and putting things in perspective. There’s always something positive about a run, even if it’s just the act of finishing it!🤣

Good luck with your half marathon plans. Make sure you have some rest days. Our bodies need time to recover from all this exercise! 🙂👍

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to David_G]

Thanks David, I couldn’t have put it better, long runs are great for clearing my head and feeling I’ve had time out, and you’re right the sense of achievement also is a bonus. Thanks for your advice, I’ve got a cut back week next week to recover whilst on my half marathon journey. I’m stubborn when running but my body is reminding me I’m not 20 and need longer to recover some times more than I’ve planned. Happy running 🏃🏽‍♀️

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles]

Great effort, well done on your 1st 10k. I like your thinking- faster to run home than walk. Good luck on your fast progress to 1/2 marathon, I’m on that journey too but reached 10miles last August so taking way more time about it than you. Happy running 🤗

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks. I know I’m crazy but a long walk home is a bargaining negotiator for me lol. Congrats on your 10 mile. Thanks for half marathon luck, not meaning to go quick just was worried without a plan I’d flounder with my running, after 10K this seemed the next goal. 1/2 marathon will be the limit for some time after this goal met, that’s long/far enough for now 🥵😉

[Grannyhugs 10 Miles in reply to Catho78]

Its certainly a long time running, my young neighbour does ½marathon faster than my 10 miles🤣

[Blackberrypie Half Marathon]

Great work! I remember getting out my phone about the 15k mark to check exactly how far I needed to run to make it 10 miles

[Catho78 10 Miles in reply to Blackberrypie]

Thanks. Yeah I thought if I get home and I’m 0.1 km out I’d cry lol, so I over estimated to be sure. Glad it not just me who had to check 😁