A warm 10K ☀️🏃‍♀️👍

[Jools2020]

So - another Saturday and another long run. My favourite kind of run, especially on a beautiful Spring morning 😊.

This run was scheduled by my coach to be a 95 minute run, all in my lowest zone. But. A couple of days ago I received some unwelcome news that I’ve had difficulty in processing and haven’t been sleeping well. I was still planning to run, because we all know that running is so good for our mental health - and it’s why I started running in the first place.

It started well enough, and the first few kms I kept to the zone quite easily. Then I became emotional and was on the point of stopping and going home. I can’t remember ever aborting a run! So I decided I’d try ditching the zones completely and just focus on my feet hitting the pavement and the signs of spring. This worked at redirecting my attention and I carried on running just by feel and letting my body increase pace and easing off when it felt like it. In fact, that’s exactly how I used to run. I started to enjoy the run again and just kept going until my watched buzzed at the end of the 95 minutes. At that point I saw I had almost got to 10K so I pressed the button on my watch again to run on for another minute.

My mood lifted further at achieving another 10K two weeks after the last one! I was a little warm having stepped up the pace a little and decided that in the best interests of other customers I would avoid going into Costa for a coffee and get back home for a bath! 😊

☀️🕶️🏃‍♀️🔟✔️😊

[Annieapple]

🍏 Two good things ….decision to go for a run to process unwelcome news ( sorry about that & hope it’s something that can be sorted in die course) …. changing the plan to accommodate your current situation… Jools you are a tenacious & lovely runner… thanks for posting… well done!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you Annieapple appreciate it 😊

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

It worked, 😀 well done you, a run to process things is so good xx

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

You’re so right! xx

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Result. Your strength and drive and a sprinkling of that running magic. No better way to clear the head for a while.Happy 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you Week7 . It did feel good to be simply running. I’ve only got a couple of weeks left on this low HR training and I’ll definitely continue with it - but not all the time!

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I love the "simply running " runs when they go well- a real feeling of wellbeing that wipes away all that stress! Perfect!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

You’re so right. It feels like balance has been restored 😊

[apatsyf]

Sorry to hear you have unwelcome news, Jools, but hope this will not be as bad as you may think at the moment. You had an enjoyable 'free' run and that is so good. You are amazing with all the determination and positivity you have shown through times good and bad 👏 🏃‍♀️. Keep running, keep smiling.

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to apatsyf]

Thank you. I’m so glad I managed to redirect and carry on to 10k. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days. 😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Running by feel…no pressure…these are always the best runs! 🏃‍♀️A great way to process life’s ups and downs Jools. Well done.🙂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Going for a run is my default response to very bad news. The cogs seem to turn of their own accord while I keep my feet dropping one in front of the other. Not every problem has a solution sadly, but time out the road or trail does help in processing things. ❤️

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes, you’re right. Once I’d started to focus on my feet hitting the pavement, my mind was able to organise itself.

[Dendev75 Half Marathon]

Sorry you’ve had bad news and I totally understand the need to run to combat any mental health gremlins.

It sounds like you did the wise choice of just listening to your body and running comfortably - well done on another 10k run 👏🏻😊

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks. I was pushing myself for the last 2 or 3 kms though. Felt I needed to!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

How wonderful running could help you in this time. Sorry you've had this, but well done for approaching it and adapting your run plan so it helped.

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That sounds such a lovely, soothing run, one for the heart and soul 🥰

And a blue sky too! 😎 Good for you 👍

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you 😊 Always good to have a blue sky 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Perfect. Running for you, in a way that feels good. Does it get any better?And all the more welcome when times are tough xxx

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

You’re absolutely right - it doesn’t get any better! xx