Saturday Long Run 😊👍✅

[Jools2020]

My last long run was 3 weeks ago and was for just over 2 hours. Then came a practice 10K - and then the HU 10K.

So today I was back to increasing time on my feet for my long run. I no longer have a coach, but I know she would have set 2hrs 15 minutes on my calendar running at low HR. That would take me up to about 14K.

Well now! I got to thinking! I wonder if I could do those 2 extra kms and go for a 10 miler? This was a secret aim at the back of my brain. I didn’t admit it to the front of my brain. I only do that if I achieved it 😬🤭😊

So I set out with the aim of doing a 2hr 15min run. Armed with my running vest, Tailwind mix, water and a few jelly babies I bravely set out! Warm up walk for about a km (uphill) with walking and jogging. I realised I’d forgotten to do my stretches I was so excited about my secret aim! So I stopped at the top of the hill and did them.

And then I was off! Downhill for the first km! I did keep an eye on my HR. It makes sense because if it gets too high then I get tired! I incorporated a few inclines and that’s where I have to monitor it. Today was a slightly different route.

Everything went to plan and I started to drink my Tailwind after about 45 minutes when I had done 5K. I plodded on. I think I started to feel the effort around 11K and I did briefly wonder if I was going to have the stamina to finish either of my aims! A lady was walking towards me and said “Keep going, you can do it!” Just at the time I needed encouragement 😊

I reached 1hr 15mins and carried on. Severely tempted to stop at 15K! But pushed hard for the last Km which turned out to be my fastest. My trademark finish!

So 10 miles done. It wasn’t all at low heart rate! Sorry, Coach - I told you I could be a rebel! The second half of that run was indeed an effort.

The last time I ran 10 miles was probably late 2020. So I am very happy to have done it today. And I loved the Strava Art! 🥰🏃‍♀️✅

[apatsyf]

That sounds like a great run, fabulous. You have to rebel now and again..... 😉😇🤗🥳 !

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to apatsyf]

Thank you! 😊

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

All those low heartrate runs have stood you in good stead, making you stronger so you can push it sometimes, what a great run and with your trade mark finish too 😄👍

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you SueAppleRun . The last few kms were hard work 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

We can’t do it all by numbers can we? There has to be room for impulse/ inspiration, call it what you will. Seriously good run Jools; you sound as though you really enjoyed this, topped off with fastest lap of celebration at the end. Terrific run. I have decided that your strava art is a hummingbird!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks! I did enjoy it - mostly 😊. I was glad to stop knowing the job was done!

Yes, it could be a hummingbird. 😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Really great news Jools - well done! I can’t wait to get back up to 10miles (eventually), so this is so inspiring to read!🙂👏👏👏

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Well done on that 10 miles run today Jools2020, love that Strava art, that was your actual route, I don't think that you are a rebel, 😂

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you  AlMorr , appreciate it! 😊.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Welcome back to 10 miles! Great run 👍

I think your art looks like some kind of flying insect. Or an angel 👼

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks, IP. Very happy about that run that really I shouldn’t have attempted for a few more weeks. I’ll be sure to rest well.

I never thought of an angel! The top of the wings were the inclines that I dealt with early in the run. It was tempting not to include them 🤣 but I was feeling brave!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I hope you gave yourself an appropriate reward!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Not yet, but I will do 😊

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Nicely done!!! Your running and posts are really starting to sound like your prebreak/illness ones.So pleased to see that all your hard work and patience (until now anyway! ) are paying off.

Looking for to reading the next installment.

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you Week7 . It does feel like that! 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What a fabulous run Jools! it's like you pulled that out of nowhere. Love the strava art - looks like a Lamaze Firefly to me (baby toy!!!)

Lamaze Firefly pram toy

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 . Yes, I used to throw in an unexpected run sometines 😊.

Oh my goodness! My Strava Art looks just like that! 🤣

[61Lady]

Awesome run Jools. You go from strength to strength 💪👏 It’s good for us to have a little of the rebel about us too. Rest well my friend and sit back and admire your artwork - definitely firebird in my opinion 🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to 61Lady]

Thank you 61Lady . Feel rested now, although still very hungry. Might have 2 breakfasts today!

Usually my Strava map is just a collection of wiggly lines! 😊

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Well done to you and my contribution for the Strava art is a butterfly. Oops oh dear a pair of wings maybe missing. Do all butterflies have two pairs of wings? It is so good to signs of our running improving, isn't it?

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I think butterflies do have two pairs of wings 🤣

Yes it does feel good to know you’re improving! Although sometimes I need to remind myself to go out and enjoy the run for its own sake 😊.

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Definitely 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done Jools, a brilliant run. I thought it looked like a hummingbird sipping from a small flower.

[Jools2020 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5 😊. The run was a little premature - I should have built up to it over another few weeks! But happy with the way it went. Yes, I can see the hummingbird!