HU10K Run Report 🏃‍♀️👍😊

[Jools2020]

I set the alarm for 5 a.m. as I wanted an early start! For a 10K I like to have a light breakfast and then wait for at least 45 minutes before I set out.

Although overcast, the forecast was warm with a light breeze, so shorts and sleeveless top was the outfit of choice! I debated about taking water but decided I might as well. So I wore my running vest and put a jelly drink in one of the pockets. Also a few jelly babies! Sports glasses and sun visor completed the look and after a few stretches I was ready to go!

I started my warm up; walking, slow running and a 3 or 4 strides, just for 15/20 seconds, at a faster pace. This is where the doubts always set in 😈. I know that the Toxic Ten will ease if I warm up enough! After 10 minutes or so I stop and finish preparing with a few more strides and some drills. Experience has shown me that this makes a huge difference to my confidence at the start of a run and to the run itself.

I start the watch and set off at 6:38 a.m. Perfect! I love running at this time of day. I think about all the others that will be running today and over the coming week. My plan was to start steady and try and stay steady for the first 2 or 3 km. I really wanted to do this 10K in less than 90 minutes, but I know I’ll have to push myself for this in the second half of the run.

It’s a little warm but not overly so - pretty much ideal running weather. It’s quiet out at the start of my run - traffic at the roads I have to cross is light and I don’t have to stop. I don’t want to have to stop! My route is a tree lined cyclist and pedestrian path parallel to a main road. It’s fairly flat with the occasional incline and leads to a pretty pond, but there are a couple of roads to cross and I’m doing 2.5 laps.

Overall my run went according to plan and I reached just over 7K at the 1 hour mark, which for me is pretty good! I try and keep up the pace but I seem to be slowing down for the last couple of kilometres. (This turned out not to be the case!) My last km wasn’t quite the fastest and I wish I’d had the stamina to kick it up a couple of gears more but I’m not quite there yet!

All in all, a run I was really happy with! I’ll be ordering my medal soon - and thanks to everyone who helped to organise this fun event 😊

Good luck to all those yet to run!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a lovely run report, you sound so happy to be able to do this and even though you pushed yourself a bit, you didn't push too hard, it's been great to see your progress since last summer, you inspire and fill me with hope 💞

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you so much and I look forward to us both progressing over the coming weeks! x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Jools2020]

Me too x

[misswobble Marathon]

well done Jools 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🙂😎

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you misswobble 😊

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! Sounds like your run went well. Great photos! You are an early bird. Must be a nice time to run. 👏🙂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you, it did! Yes, I love the peace and quiet of my early morning runs 😊

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done Jools2020 that sounds a nice route! Xxx

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

It’s lovely and it’s close! (Downside is that I’m lazy and keep running the same route!)

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Great run Jools; up with the lark. Well planned and executed to beat the heat. We have a heavy sea mist up here so it is quite cold; hope it clears by tomorrow !

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Actually I prefer cold as long as it isn’t windy! Keeps the heart rate down more. But yes - it’s going to be warm later and I wanted to be able to do my best!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

This is cold and damp ….a nice 16 degrees would be good!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Noooo give me 2 degrees any day 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I had enough of that for the 6 month winter we have just experienced up here!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes I know what you mean and I love the warmer weather and being out in the sun. Just not for running 😎

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Well done with the run. Nice report. I hope you will wear your medal with pride.

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you - yes I most certainly will!

[GTFC Marathon]

Jools2020 you deserve all the accolades for what you've been doing. Great stuff today 👏

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thanks GTFC . During my run,today, I remembered something you told me years ago - to let my pace ebb and flow during the run. I did this today and it really helped, especially the last couple of kilometres when I was getting tired!

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I remember that! Thank you, it's lovely to hear 💚

[Annieapple]

🍏 An early morning start, a familiar route, good preparation allowing the ebb & flow pace ( love this GTFC ) and the Jools determination!! Well done!!! All the Pom Poms are going 🎈🎈🎈💐🎶 We await the photo with the medal!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks Annieapple , I was so pleased with how this went! The ‘ebb and flow’ works so well for me partly because I tend to lose heart if I have to slow down - so I just tell myself ‘it’s the technique!’ and sure enough I soon speed up again.

I’ve ordered my medal of course 🏅🏃‍♀️👍🥰

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done Jools - it sounds like you enjoyed that run 😀

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

I did! But perhaps I enjoyed the first 3/4 more! 😁

[CBDB]

Woohoo!!! Awesome! 🙌🙌🙌🙌 And so early! Amazing!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to CBDB]

Thanks! Early is my favourite time of the day for running 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Great report 🙂 and 5am???!! Well done for that!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks, IP! 5 am is no problem for me while we have these light mornings 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I really should do the same….🙂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It’s not for everybody 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Jools, what a fabulous run you had! Lovely to make your final km quicker too! I have the same pace issues as you, but the difference is I don’t care as I’m so non-competitive! My goal is to run, no matter what the time!

You are amazing, so huge congratulations to you! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you!

I have to confess to being competitive but it’s with myself, so not sure if it counts 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Of course it does! I struggle to even be competitive with myself! 😂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂 You’ve got it right though. I end up putting too much pressure on myself!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oof! A 5am alarm 🙈 I'm sure that paid off though on such a warm day. All the work you've put in recently really has come together for you - that was a great run and a medal well earned, congratulations 👏👏👏

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks, Linda. The coaching plan I’ve been following has got me steadily back to low heartrate 10Ks 😊. Felt good today to just get out there and run!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Well done to you. Really happy with your run sounds excellent to me. You sound like you have worked out so many ways that help you have a good run. Like you, I really enjoy running before most folk are about 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you! I mostly prefer easy runs but the occasional run where I successfully push myself is rewarding , too!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

I would agree as long as pushing myself doesn't upset my fickle knee 😊

[Macrun Half Marathon]

Well done sounds good

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Macrun]

Thanks Macrun 😊