As I could not run the past week due to feeling bad (to much sugar, migraine, etc.), I thought my plan to reach 10 miles this weekend was over. But yesterday my migraine was gone, I hydrated well and I felt good. I had a good nights sleep and woke up this morning, knowing today I would try it.
It had frozen during the night, the grass was white, cars had frozen windows, etc. but the sun was shining! After what seems like weeks of perpetual grey sky, today there was sun! Was it a sign?
I waited 2 hours after breakfast, kitted up in my cold weather kit (I also have a freezing weather kit, but that is not needed yet), did some dynamic stretches and leg swings and set off.
As all my runs, this one was to be run at a Jeffing ratio of 4min30 / 0min30. I thought I started slow, but at the buzzer of 1 kilometer I saw I had started too fast. I tried slowing down, but while my normal starting pace is around 9:30, I never slipped into the 9 minutes during this run.
I planned to run first my usual 5K route, then the other 5K of my usual 10K route and then the first 5K route again with an added 1K at the end.
In general the run went good, better than my last 12K and 14K runs. Passed a rabbit, sheep, people, birds, ... . Had to watch out on a wooden bridge though, as it was very slippery. Luckily I just had a walking break there, so I could carefully scoot over it. On my second passing of the bridge the slippery layer had thawed.
I took a gel at 8K, though I have absolutely no idea if it helps or not.
At 13K I was starting to feel a tad tired in the legs and I felt myself slow. Gave myself a good kick in the brains and told myself it was only 3K more. Tried to speed up a bit again and kept going. At 15K though my ankles started to hurt badly. Not as in an injury, but just pain from overuse, an almost burning sensation.
Nevertheless I could not stop, it was only 1K more! And I did it! I finished at 16,11K in a time of 2:12:13, much faster than I had thought I would need! I thought I would be around 2:20:00 or so, so I am pleasantly suprised at my time. I know most of you do a HM in that time, but for a snail like me, that is fast, haha.
Ate a proteïn bar on my walk back home and took a well deserved hot shower (which was definately needed - I STINK after a run). Now I am crawled up on the couch with a cat and some knitting. Taking 1 week of from running too, to let my ankles rest. Back to 10K now as my long distance. I might do another 10 miles some day, but not in the very near future I think...
Oh yes, can I have a 10 miles badge, pretty please with a cherry on top?
Fabulous! I didn't even make it out for parkrun today (despite laying everything out last night - our weather this morning was atrocious 😨). That last km is always tough, whatever the distance. That's why it's always the last one 😊 Congratulations on overcoming all your doubts and smashing it beyond your expectations.
Thanks and yes, I did notice that about the last kilometer. It is very mental, isn't it. Running goes deep into the mental being!
I can imagine that you don't go out in bad weather. I don't either. If it had rained today (as was predicted), there would be no post of my first 10 miler!
It has! I was afraid I'd have to give up, almost talked myself into stopping even before 10K just because I doubted myself. But gave my head a shake and tried to think about other things. The mental state is very important with running!
Hurrah hurrah hurrah Evy!!! That’s brilliant, I’m so pleased for you. It sounds as though you had a really good run, and you pushed through that last k. I don’t blame you for putting your feet up and resting, you earned it. Go Evy! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Congratulations 🙌🙌I know how you felt at 13k. That last 3k was mind over matter for me ( I did mind and it did matter 😂) My legs were very wobbly on the way home too.
Rest up and enjoy your knitting 🧶 I’m knitting a scarf at the mo from recycled wool which has been more of a nightmare that I thought but I’ll finish it now.
I think running is a lot mind over matter. What is up with the last K being hardest no matter the distance?
I am knitting hats to donate, maybe to a homeless organisation. But that will be for next year. So far have 2 hats to donate (and 2 for my own for running). But am going to try to knit a sweater for myself too. Did crochet before knitting. Got loads of scarfs and shawls. Also a laptop sleeve, pillows, blanket, etc.
Thanks and it is actually 2 hours 12 even 😉, I am amazed at the time as well. I really thought I would need longer. At 14K I was faster than my 14K last weekend. So I think it was a day that really everything went right for my run. One of them very rare days!
Congratulations - its a good step to take and just think 10m is virtually a half-marathon ! - you deserve to give yourself a big pat on the back well done
Eh regularly? For the time being I think not... 10K came rather easy to me and though I can have heavy 10K, I can also have easy 10K's. It never felt as physically challenging as this 10 miler. Of course, the more you do a ten miler, the easier it will get I guess. But no, for now it's back to 10K for the time being 😜
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First 10 miles 
First 10 mile run!
Last 2 mile training run done before my very first HM on Sunday (hopefully...)!
First 10 mile run