HU10 report, 19th May

[Stephen_UK]

Disclaimer: I was hoping to take the 10-mile option but had to downgrade to 10K owing to ongoing plantar fasciitis – a disappointment, but medically sensible (I’m trying to tell myself) because I’m already pushing it in terms of injury.

I started fairly early, as is my preference. It took about 10 minutes of running to warm up. Once the dull ache in my foot had subsided, I could relax into the run and start enjoying myself. There’s definitely an extra dimension knowing you are part of a bigger event, and I’m so grateful that this supportive community exists.

It was very quiet everywhere so I could run in the roads on the softer tarmac and avoid the hard, uneven pavements. At 3.5K I saw a beautiful siamese cat. I then ran past a front garden with a sign offering free plants and plant pots. (Might need to go back there.) On the down side, I noticed that my Garmin battery was already flagging. I thought I’d charged it properly but obviously not.

Chugging past the halfway mark I saw a second cat. Also, three dumped office chairs and two abandoned shopping trolleys. Then at 7.5K, a slinky black cat crossed my path. I’m not superstitious but it was a lovely sight.

By 8K I was nervous that my Garmin wasn’t going to make it to the end. This had the welcome effect of making me speed up a bit. Then it was the final stretch along the river. The finish point (at the end of my road) was marked by another cat appearance, confirming the feline theme of today’s run. The Garmin made it and so did I.

Thanks, as ever, for organising this brilliant event. My plan is still to get back to HM distance over the next couple of months, so I’m determined to tackle the longer distance next time.

[backintime 10 Miles]

Well done! and very sensible to have dropped down to the lower distance, the longer runs will wait!

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

Thank you. It was a shame, but there you go. The Garmin would have failed anyway, so that would have been unfortunate. Hope you are OK.

[GTFC Marathon]

What an excellent run and time Stephen_UK A terrific time to mark the occasion. Really hope the recovery keeps going for you 🙌

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you very much. That’s appreciated.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done Stephen_UK on your run x

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Many thanks!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

whoop whoop! The first HU10 report 🥳

That’s a fab time Stephen, really great work there. And I just love the cat theme 🐈 definitely a lot of good luck right there on your path 🥰

Like you, I dropped back from 10 miles to 10K so we can both now focus on building up again and taking our time about it.

I hope the recovery continues well for you 🤞

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you, IP. I’m not always sensible about injuries but I was determined not to make the problem worse. Hope your running is going well.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

It’s a continuous process for me, learning to be sensible 🙄

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

We’ll get there in the end. Maybe…

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

We WILL get there 🙂

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

That was a great HU (cat run) 10K you ran this morning Stephen _UK, imagine seeing four cats on a run, wow, congratulations on completing your run this morning, I usually see plenty of dogs on a run but rarely any cats.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, Al. Yes, it was the most catty run ever, which really helped. And I had my own one to welcome me when I got home. Hope you are your running are doing well.

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

I hope to run the HU 10K on Wednesday morning, any rain according to the latest weather forecast will be later on Wednesday afternoon.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Good luck!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

A great feline filled run, and what a time 😀👏😀

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sue. It was a bit slower than my usual times, but that’s because of the injury. Hopefully this will improve.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Stephen_UK]

I'm sure it will 😁

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Great running Stephen and the very best of luck with your continued recovery. 😊

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you, Jools! Much appreciated.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Stephen! Any run with cats is a good one. As an owner of 2 black cats I really do think that they are unjustly given a bad reputation. Good luck with your recovery from PF. 👏👏

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you! Black cats are great, aren’t they? I have a black cat, too, and he’s not very popular with the neighbours.

[misswobble Marathon]

Good job Stephen 😀👏👏👏👏🏅👍

Good luck with your return to longer runs 💪🙂

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you, MW. I am getting there – but slowly!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

These things can’t be rushed 🙂👍

[Joster Half Marathon]

Congratulations - glad the Garmin held out and those cats were clearly a good omen!

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

Thank you. Yes, the cat luck definitely helped this time.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well done Stephen; great time full stop…..but definitely more so with ongoing injury issues. Cathartic( sorry!) These post give a sense of all of the different environments in which we run. Mine tomorrow will be 95% trail…thankfully puddle free now.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you. And good luck with yours!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Cheers….it will be leggings weather if it doesn’t buck up!

[Annieapple]

👏🎈 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 🐱 Great cheers from those of us on the sidelines! Well done!! Awesome run! (Trust the plantar fasciitis is not too troublesome and enjoying an ice pack now)

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you. That’s very nice of you.

[CBDB]

Woohoo!!! 10k Awesome-ness! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to CBDB]

Thanks!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done - sorry you had trouble meaning you couldn't do the 10 miles. I dropped down too. This sounds a very good run though and hope your feet feel better soon.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks. I will hopefully get back to that distance soon and hope you can too.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Great running Stephen, especially as you're carrying an injury. Reading your report, there was never any doubt that you would finish, you're only concern was that Garmin wouldn't - love it! Well done 👏👏

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you, Cantstopmeow. Appreciate the kind words. Hope all’s well with you. Looking forward to your report.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

I had to drop out of the 10 miles too. I'm hopeful for the 10k 🤞

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you are OK.

[Bluebirdrunner]

Well run Stephen, thank goodness your garmin didn't fail you !Smashing run, and feel your pain with the PF, sensible not to push to far.

🏃⭐️xxx

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you, BBR. Hope all’s well with you.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just fantastic... well done to you!

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Excellent run! PF didn't stop that one!!!

Maybe an autumn HU HM will be on the cards ??? 😊

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Hi Linda. Yes, that would be great. Gives us something to work towards. I actually have an official HM planned for September, so it would be really helpful. Hope you are well and thank you again for organising this great event.