Hey up lovely VRBs. Here we are at the start of a brand new month!
Half way through 2024. Downhill all the way to Christmas now βοΈ .... sorry, just kidding, time to enjoy the summer!!!
So how are you doing? Any news or gossip for us? Are you enjoying your running just now, or could things be better?
For anyone who was wondering, since my last weekly chat post I can update you with the news that my son successfully completed his Random Run Month challenge (albeit a little amended) - he ran 26 consecutive days, running every distance from 1 to 26 kilometres as specified by the random number generator. Quite bonkers, but he seems to have survived the experience and is now gracing Glastonbury with his energies!!!
I tend to have somewhat less grandiose adventures π€·ββοΈ Yesterday I ran a small local 10k; organised by a local running club with just 1000 places. It was pretty low key and I was uncharacteristically unfazed as I prepped my stuff last night and then got ready this morning. I have only run one event this year - a HM in January which I treated as a training run for my goal of a May marathon - which left me on the IC π‘. So yesterday was going to be a bit special, no matter how understated.
I rocked up at the start line, none of the characteristic butterflies, just a 'we'll see' attitude and a smile. We all set off slowly and calmly and I just soaked it up. I turned off my music and listened to the sound of feet drumming on the pavement, chatter all around me; I took in some of the beautiful old buildings of Thame (nice and dry IP), the happy smiling running club marshalls, the families lining the street with genuine smiles, claps, cheers and encouragement. And my spirits soared! Coach Bennett (Nike Run Club) wittered in my ear, adding a sense of familiarity and distraction. My legs turned and my feet hit the pavement alongside everyone else. With zero conscious effort, I probably ran my most mindful 10k ever. I even remembered to cover my glasses as I went under the hose that one kind supporter had connected up from his back garden to shower the race route!
In a totally low key, way I totally enjoyed this event and - bonus - have no battle scars to show for it (I find 10k's so much easier on my body that half marathons). The totally underwhelming piece of bling will kept to evoke some very fond memories. I didn't break the 1 hour barrier that I would have liked to, but actually it didn't matter one bit; it was faster than I've run in a while and I enjoyed it and that's plenty good enough.
I know events aren't for everyone, but hopefully you're getting to enjoy your running in a way that suits you. Whatβs your news? What are you enjoying just now? Do let us know and we can get the chat going for another week π₯°
Whatever you have planned, we hope you have a great week.
Your team, Β Beachcomber66 , Β Irishprincess and me xxx
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π½π₯³ For a pompom cheer for your July events, let us have your event details here:
healthunlocked.com/marathon...
π For a shiny new distance badge: