Having run at the Netley 10k on 19th May, the intention was that I would increase the distance in the intervening weeks before the next 10k race. But due to Covid recovery, postponed wedding anniversary trip, appalling weather and a tooth extraction, it just didn’t go to plan. Given that my next 10k race at Exbury Gardens is in 10 days, I thought this was the week to do another 10k. I had a failed attempt on Monday because my legs just didn’t want to go further than 5k. So I looked at the weather forecast this morning - no wind! No rain and light cloud. So I got into my running gear while UpTheStanley headed for the gym for weight training.
I headed to the north foreshore of Portsmouth , and ran south along the shared path, towards the athletics track where school children were competing in inter school athletics. Turning round I headed back north and towards Lakeside, the home of the Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun. The sun had come out and it was so beautiful running along the edge of the lake, with wild flowers blooming on either side of the gravel path and geese, duck, coots and swans swimming on the flat water. I stopped every now and then to take a picture, or drink some water, and felt no pressure to look at my watch. Runners and walkers said hello and this really was the perfect run to get to my magic 10k.
As I left this area. I saw a bird of prey fly to a perch. Is this a kestrel or a sparrow hawk? I need to check my bird book, unless someone here knows.
Back to the foreshore and the wake park, checking out our pair of swans and 7 fluffy cygnets who are still doing well. 10k done with a running time of 77:30 and elapsed time of 83:00. I’m very happy with that, and am ready to go for it at Exbury Gardens. Hopefully it will be cooler than last year.
UTS joined me for a cappuccino and a toasted sandwich outside the cafe while we watched newbee wake boarders learning their craft .
The wind and the rain will be coming back!
Monsal Trail 10k