This is probably going to go on a bit.I sat here last night making routes on Garmin and wondering how far I would need to go to do an out and back 10 miles. Turns out I have to run to Worthing, past the pier, to the end of the road and head inland a bit leave the seafront, down a side road, round a block before heading home.. I know the pier is just under 5k so I could run to the end and back if Id had enough. I could always just run to the seafront and back to add just over 3k to the Clashes. So many choices
Woke fairly early, drank tea. Pondered a bit, had a shower and got dressed, felt nice and fresh and cool, tied hair up, damp pony tail on the back of my neck. Sun factor 50 on face, arms, shoulders etc. Legs can take care of themselves.
Chose a playlist, set NRC 10k long run for this week of the HM plan. I know I can run 10k fairly comfortably and at least I'd tick that one off if nothing else.
I have a handful of wine gums in a bag tucked into the waistband of my shorts at the front and a bottle of ice cold water tucked into the waistband at the back.
Off I go, I'm very aware that the first 3k has to be under 30 minutes to count on the Clashes, so I belt off down the road way too fast. Fast for me anyway, splits for the first 3k -8.55-9.10-8.53 😃 I've done it and now on the seafront and slow down a bit.
It's hot, I'm jeffing but not really following the one minute buzz of the watch. The tide is going out, pass a few runners, walkers and cyclists, some return my cheery hello, some don't.
Getting closer to town now, more people but it's still early enough that it's not crowded.
Run past the pier, I've never run this far from home in this direction before.
And then I get to the end of the seafront road, there is a path but it's narrow and looks busy so right turn and I'm heading inland, there is a little shade from houses and a few trees, feels really cool.
I thought I should be turning about now but no! Only 7.4k so I plod on past shops round the block and then head back to the seafront.
Ooo! I'm on my way home. This is exciting, every so often I have a sip of water which is no longer ice cold but very refreshing. And a wine gum.
I cross the road and run along the seafront, now there is a lovely breeze in my face, sun on my face too, I hope I haven't sweated off all the sun cream.
The tide is further out, I can see seaweed and rock pools but I just can't resist. On to the beach I go, run along the sand, dip my hands in a rock pool and splash the back of my neck, it's bliss, I run on and through shallow water, cool feet, that doesn't last long, they just feel soggy and a couple of times hurt a bit but not much.
When I get to about the 3k from home mark I clamber up the stones, it's steep here, back onto the path and run on, I cross the road and head towards the old golf course, I need some shade now. I head past the lake and through to the cycle track where it all started just over 4 years ago, I run across the grass and through the trees, sometimes there is a path of cut grass, not today, I'm wading through knee high grass but it's ok and I feel so happy.
Back onto the road, I have just under 2k to run and two small sips of water left, I've slowed down so much now but I keep running because I want to get home.
Into the park by where I live. Garmin clicks over 16k, I run a few metres to be sure, stop the Garmin and come indoors.
Oh boy! That was hot and that was fun and I've flipping run 10 whole miles.
One rehydration tablet goes in a glass of water, one vitamin tablet goes in another glass of water, kettle on and stretch.
I can't believe I've done it and under 3 hours. 2 hrs 52 minutes 22 seconds 😃
For everyone else, run happy, I sure did today and now I'm headed to the bath.
Thank you Linda for my badge.
x
10 miles!
Reached 10 miles target!
HM plan week 8 -10 miles done!
My very first 10 miles!
