10kms

Saturday morning dawned cool & overcast with a slight breeze.  Perfect running conditions.  I'd had an inkling that I just might consider running the 10km a week early & after a 10 hour sleep, once I felt the conditions, I knew it was time to give it a crack.  


I ran the first 5kms keeping my heart rate under 130 beats per minute.  This was to keep me calm.  I wasn't aiming for a fast time, I was aiming to complete the distance.  It really is a mind game this running caper: I had little bouts of anxiety which made my heart rate increase & my chest tighten.  Why was I anxious you ask?  I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it!  Yes, I know I'm an idiot.  I've trained for it & was more than ready.  But that doesn't stop the doubt.  I had a couple of stern chats to myself like: "What's the worse that could happen?  Having to walk the last couple of kms?  You idiot!!  Big Deal!!!!  Think of those Biggest Loser Contestants running up that big sand hill; if they can do that, you can do this Whoop Whoop!!!!" 


Once I'd reached the 5km mark, I knew I could finish & picked up the pace a bit, keeping my heart rate under 140 bpm.  The furthest I ever run before was 8kms, so it was only 2kms more than that & I regularly run 6.5kms in the morning, so only 3.5kms more than a regular run.  See what I mean?  I knew I could do it, but my mind was holding me back.  With around 1.5kms to go, I changed my music from calm & soothing to rockin' & went for it, powering home.


I spotted Plumbing Boy turning out of our street as I was running towards it & held up both hands flashing all 10 fingers at him with a big grin on my face.  He wasn't really sure what I was on about but tooted & waved & went about his business.  I continued to pick up the pace & made it home in 1hr 14 minutes & 42 seconds.  Plenty of room for improvement there, but I did it.  10kms.  All by myself.  HA!!!!  Yes, I was pretty stoked.  


After catching my breath & skulling some water I called PB & asked him if he got my message.  He said what message?  Did you see how many fingers I was holding up when I was running towards you? Ahhhhhhhhh You just did your 10K????  Well done!!!!!  I wondered what that meant & what was taking you so long!!!!


I spent the rest of the day helping PB doing a bit of manual labour, basking in my accomplishment.  My legs were a little sore Sunday, but good sore.  I ran again Monday morning, but had this morning off as I had to get PB out the door with lunch & breakfast on the road by 5.45am.  


Next on the agenda is to run an official 10km fun run in April with an improved time; maybe by the time January rolls around I can do the surf to surf in Warrnambool in 60minutes!!!  While I don't enjoy ALL of EVERY run, the after buzz is worth every second of it!  Bring it On!!!!