My HM training plan was threatened by very sore muscles this week. A strength class on Monday with far too many squats and a 30 mile bike ride on Wednesday in very cold conditions left me in some discomfort on Thursday when I was attempting to run 3k with TailChaser at 6.30am in the morning. It was so bad I had to walk sections. A sympathetic Tailchaser approved of my decision to switch to marshaling at Parkrun but was not going to let me off today’s 10 mile run. I’ve not run that far before and would not be able to without Tailchaser’s guidance. I trust her completely.
We set off down the greenway (repurposed railway line) at 9.30am this morning, the sun was shining and birds were singing. There were puddles and dogs to negotiate but no headwind so we were happy. My 5/2min Jeffing ratio was working well. At the road crossing we headed right, into the headwind and some blind bends with no footpath. We had to keep crossing the road or leaping onto the verge to stay safe. We grabbed the chance to turned off down a side road to some pretty thatch cottages and a lovely church, sadly it was followed by a dead end. A quick look at Google maps put us onto a riverside footpath, a little muddy but firm and very pretty with wild garlic, primroses and the promise of maybe a Kingfisher. I really enjoyed this section and although glad to discover it did take us where we wanted to go, I was sad when it ended.
We inspected the flooding at the bridge at Welford and managed a selfie before heading back along another bit of unpleasant main road. We were hoping for a bit of peace once we reached the normally quiet road through Luddington, but the car boot traffic from the racecourse made it rather unpleasant, we did get a few moments to grab a picture of another lovely church though. The car dodging once again disrupted my Jeffing ratio and at 12k my body was starting to register its discomfort. Tailchaser kept encouraging me and reminded me as we re-entered Stratford that we were nearly home (‘you can sneeze on your house from here’ she cried). Within a few yards of home my watch said I had completed 16.2km, I could stop, take a breather and walk to the house.
My first ever 10 miles and I didn’t die, hooray! Thanks so much to my amazing mentor Tailchaser, who is so patient with me and so generous with her time and support. Also to the other HM trainees on here whose reports have encouraged me to give it a go. With about a month to go before I attempt my HM, my plan is to consolidate my efforts with a few more 10 - 13k runs, only trouble is I’m switching location for a couple of weeks, to somewhere with a more undulating terrain. Wish me luck!
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Shake-and-run
Half Marathon
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Whoop whoop Shakes 🥳🍾🥂 10 miles is such an achievement and you deserve a long hot bath and a flop on the sofa. You have done absolutely brilliantly . Keep drinking lots of water for the next few days . The pictures you’ve taken along the run are lovely.
Just a little reminder, there is a 10 mile race in Portsmouth in October. 😉
Absolutely magnificent you awesome duo. A walk in the park for TailChaser the marathon queen, but your first epic foray! That’s amazing. You’re close to the HM distance and of course you’ll smash that too (“only a PR more”) and I can’t wait to hear how you get on. Well done Shakes! ❤️
Look at that lovely, shiny bit of bling next to your name Shakes! You should be very proud 😊
It’s been an absolute pleasure to help you take on such a feat. I remember my very first 10 miles and you’ve survived much better than I did.
I think you are very much stronger than you give yourself credit for. If anything, for you, taking on distances is more in the head than most of us - you have a lot of endurance from your cycling but you’re used to the miles going quicker.
I look forward to getting you through that final parkrun distance! Go Nikki!!! 💪💪💪
congratulations on you first 10 miler Shake-and-run 👏👏 It’s great that you’ve got such an excellent mentor as TailChaser to help you on your journey. Hopefully it’s given you the confidence that you’ll be fine on your next long run. Very best of luck with it all!
🎉🎉Congratulations on running 10 miles. You'll be fine for the HM. A little undulation will provide variety and extra strength before the big day. You have such a lovely supportive friend too. Good luck!
Well done Shake-and-run 👏. Good luck with the rest of your running especially on an undulating terrain xSounds like good teamwork too with your mentor TailChaser .
Congratulations on your 10miles, well done. I did mine two years ago, to celebrate my 75th but still anchoring after doing the HM. Injuries etc keep getting in the way ! One of my favourite villages, Welford, spent a lot of time there in the 80 ‘s. Good luck on your HM, I’ll keep a look out for your post. 🤗
Woohoo, well done 🥳🥳I never doubted you could do it. A couple of runs with the Eymet runners through the hills of the Dordogne will get you ready for that final push. Well done supercoach TailChaser too xx
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Bit late but my New Forest 10k report.