Time: 1 hour 41 minutes 30 seconds
The weather forecast for the weekend was scorchio, so I decided if I woke up early enough I'd try to get out for my run early today. Sure enough, I was awake before 6am and could already feel the day warming up. Microporridge & a banana later and I'm ready to hit the road. I'd put my water bottle and Lucozade Sport in the fridge last night. Suncream on, and I'm off. I deliberately keep it slow to run a gentle ten miles. I'm doing a Half Marathon next Sunday, so need to take it easy today.
The run is good, it's not too hot, and I take on water in small sips - little and often. At one point the mild wind drops to nothing, and I can feel that I'm hot. I'm regretting having had a hot breakfast. Luckily when I turn the corner the breeze picks up, just enough to keep me cool. The miles fly by, even though I'm running slower than usual.
In Lyford just about half way, and a fly buzzes in my ear so I have to shake my head vigorously to dislodge it. Just this little thing knocks me off my stride, and the second half of the run is slower. That's ok, I don't push myself to pick up the pace. I'm still going to get back in around 100 minutes, so I'm on plan.
A couple of kites are up over Charney Bassett, flying high trying to pick up the thermals, whilst down on the ground a cool breeze is welcome on my face. I'm on the homeward stretch now, and looking forward to getting in for a refreshing shower to cool off. Not long and I reach the straight to Gainfield and I can see the woods at the crossroads to Buckland ahead. They look so close, yet they're still ¾-mile away - just under 8 minutes.
Soon though I'm back in Stanford, and although I'm flagging, I know I'm nearly done now. I want to make it to 10 miles, so I run an extra little loop to clock up the full distance. Realistically it makes no difference if I run 9.9 miles or 10 - but psychologically it's a big boost to my training plan to get to double figures, so the extra minute running round the green is worth it to me.
So weekend LSR done, and it's only just gone 9am - I'd normally still be fast asleep in bed at this time!
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