Afternoon Run 10km - (Wet out there!)

dannewton just finished a 10.63km run, that lasted for 64 minutes.
This run helped dannewton burn 845.0 calories.

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Description from Strava: Another day, another run.

I had a parcel to post today. I wasn't sure on the size of the running vest I needed, so the company that makes it, Harrier, sent me both the Medium and Large for me to try. After trying the medium and being happy with the fit, I then had to post it back. The returns label was already sorted so I just had to drop it off at the post office.

I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone, and incorporte it into the run. As soon as I finished work at 4pm (at home again) I quickly changed and headed up to the Post Office. There was no queue for once, so I nipped inside and handed the parcel over, and then I headed back towards the bypass for the standard 10km run.

When I set off it was dry, but there were black clouds in the distance. There had been showers around all day but I was hopeful of getting out and back in the dry,

er....nope, that didn't happen!

Just as I left the village and joined the path alongside the bypass, there were a few drops of rain, which very quickly got harder and harder. There was a really cold headwind too.... it wasn't pleasant!

I was wearing the running jacket as normal, but calling it a rain jacket is er... a tad optimistic. Its a very thin layer which helps to add an insulating layer on my arms, and it helps ward off the cold. But it aint waterproof! Usually I avoid the runs when it is raining heavily, so the jacket doesn't really get wet very often.

We have also had a lot of dry weather recently, which has evidently lead me into a false sense of security. If I'm gonna keep doing the long runs, at some point I am going to get absolutely soaked for hours at a time. Its probably worth investing in a properly waterproof coat. Even more so considering the Marathon in just over 3 weeks.

A quick around just now has lead me to the Higher State Trail Jacket... at £35 quid its not bad... good enough to get me through the event, cheap enough to not 'waste money' on it. There are better ones out there but they are 3 times the price.... I can't justify that now.

It got me thinking though... one of the reasons I enjoy running is that it is such a basic activity... all you need is a pair of shoes and you are away. And while that is technically true. The reality is that I'll need to invest in some clothes, and a hat, and then a watch (basic stopwatch or fancy GPS watch) and then a running pack for water and... and...

Before I know it, I'm lining up for a race carrying £500 worth of kit (and I'm still on a budget!)

Anyway, back to the run. At the halfway point I turned and head back home, and now at least the rain lashing down and the cold wind was coming from behind me which is much easier to deal with. The worry of cause is that when I get wet, I'm more likely to get cold... and that will be a problem. Especially if it occurs on race day and I've 4-5 hours worth of shivering.

I guess I'd better get that jacket!

Tomorrow will be another, smaller run, which I will try out my running vest for the first time, and then I'll try it again on Saturday. That run will likely to be my last 'long run' as I start to taper (ease off) in preparation for race day.

I'll be making sure that I'm gonna use that opportunity to work out and carry all the mandatory kit as well, to make sure I am as fully prepared as I can possibly be!

Now for that Jacket... where did I leave my wallet...?

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If you would like to check out this activity on strava you can see it here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/8642838100

About the Athlete: Living in the UK, I am an intermittent Runner, but always striving for more consistency. When I'm not training I can be found photographing insects or listening to really loud angry music (which is the best type of music obviously!)

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