Running Clubs? The results are in from the Perth jury.

[AnneDroid]

Yesterday I posted about my fears after agreeing to go along to a running club tonight. (Thanks for all the replies). healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Well, I felt sick all day at work today every time I thought about it. But I duly left in time (just) to get changed in the public toilets at the meet-up point and resisted the strong urge to get right back in the car and go home.

I found the slow group and was encouraged when I heard the planned route as I've run all of it before - except for The One Hill in the route which is not huge but beyond me at the moment. I voiced my concern that the hill part of the route was too hard for me and was reassured that others would take walk breaks too which turned out to be true.

We set off and I was reassured by the pace which was fine for my capability.

I was amazed to find out that my fitness has improved sufficiently from the last time I tried it that I can now in fact chat while running if called upon to do so!

I was surprised when it was announced we were stopping for a photo. That's when I realised what a relaxed group they are and I thought it was all going to be just fine after all!

In the end I wasn't last or even second last. I was third back in our group. It wasn't a race and people weren't competing but I wouldn't have liked to be trailing in at the end feeling that they'd all had to keep waiting for me.

We did 7.9km.

So, in short, I loved it and am looking forward to next week. I was so happy and proud afterwards that I was in danger of giving the royal wave to everyone at the petrol station I stopped at on the way home. Almost up there with the high after C25k Week 5 Run 3!

Re the photo, I'm the vision in orange second from the right. And more interestingly, the guy crouching in the foreground is "Andy from Bath", who was visiting Perth and out for a run on his own. He saw us, thought we looked friendly, and asked if he could join us.

[Davoda Graduate10]

Sounds fantastic & perfect!

Especially love that they wanted to stop for a photo

[McFitty]

Oh dear... that means you loved it, which means you'll go again, which means Floss and I HAVE to do a park run now!

SO glad you loved it. They look and sound a lovely bunch 😊

[Madge50 Graduate10 in reply to McFitty]

Oh yes McFitty and Oldfloss ....... we'll be waiting.....😉.......

Mx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Madge50]

Errrr... eeek.. double eek... ! x

[McFitty in reply to Oldfloss]

...and triple eek😲

[NeverSayNoToJeffing in reply to McFitty]

Enjoy that Parkrun😊👍🏻🐢👣🏃🏿

[AnneDroid Graduate10 in reply to McFitty]

It was you and Oldfloss that stopped me running away at the beginning McFitty .

Mwahaha!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to McFitty]

You can do it McFitty

[davelinks Graduate10 in reply to McFitty]

YES!! 😁

[Madge50 Graduate10]

That's great Anne, so glad you had a good time. That's how they should be!

Mx

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Helloooo! to the pair of you. So pleased you enjoyed it; really looking forward to the Parkrun reports from McFitty and Oldfloss 😊👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

This was supposed to be under wraps! Now, no excuse.. I just need to get properly fit again!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

No need to push yourself, take yor time, we can wait 😉

[davelinks Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I don't think you'll have much problem doing a 5k Parkrun!😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

Hmmm xxxxxxxxx

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Sounds like you had an excellent time,so glad you enjoyed it and also did so well! I knew you would be able to run and chat from following your strava! You're doing great!😆

[NeverSayNoToJeffing]

That's what a running club should be like. Well done for braving it. Enjoy your running club and the support you'll receive. 🐢👣🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

That is a happy post and a happy photograph! What a run and how great that you were able to do it in such a speedy way too!

They look a friendly bunch and are clearly aware of how a newbie may feel. I am so glad it all worked out well for you and you were really up there at the end of the run! We are truly our own worst critics sometimes and our fears do hold us back.

As Edison said, "If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves."

Maybe he was right... and we need to believe it

Go you! x

[RainbowC in reply to Oldfloss]

And if we only did the things we think we're capable of, we would do very little indeed!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

EEEEEEEEK! x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

PS

The EEEk is in response to McFitty 's comment!!!!

[Millsie-J]

Thanks for the update Anne, sounds a terrific group to be a member of. 8k in the bag too! I am encouraged to give my local group a go!😃

Now about the two Parkrun newbies Oldfloss and McFitty , when can we expect a Parkrun post and piccie do the two of you think? Teehee, (Rubs hands in glee). 😃🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️👍🏼

[McFitty in reply to Millsie-J]

Mrs. Awesome Oldfloss already has her barcodes (love u Floss) but being a cantankerous old McFitty, I am claiming a pass until after 25th March! (I do have good reason)😊😊😊

[Millsie-J in reply to McFitty]

Excellent, we like a plan McFitty! You can register anytime if you haven't already. Some parkruns have free parking if you put a spare barcode on dashboard....... but check as it depends on the council involved x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to McFitty]

Oops..now people know..yes.. you have had a few curved balls thrown at you.. x

I am claiming this week and next to recover fully from the Lurgy ( us old folks need to take care)..hoping to be back up to at least 5 K by the middle of next week!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Ooh that sounds fab Anne. Lucky you! I didn't reply to your previous post because I had a disastrous running club experience and I didn't want to put you off! But your club sounds so lovely and friendly. Great photo too 🤗

[AnneDroid Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh thanks for holding back your highness! I might just have bottled it altogether...

I imagine the faster group are more competitive and less chatty but this was just the ticket for me.

[davelinks Graduate10]

Well! There you go! Well done! 😊

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Great - glad it went well.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

So glad you enjoyed it and it sounds like a great group. Love the photo and the fact that 'Andy from Bath' just rolled up and joined in!☺

[Biscuit0107 Graduate10]

What a great experience, I'm so pleased for you 😊 They look like a lovely bunch!

[poppypug Graduate10]

Ah I'm glad you enjoyed it Anne, they sound a lovely bunch and massive respect to " Andy from Bath " xxx

[RainbowC]

What a lovely run report They sound like exactly what a fun club should be. Glad you had such a good time, and your fears didn't come true!

[Spongecake7 Graduate10]

So pleased it went well!

[skysue16 Graduate10]

What a lovely photo! Glad you had a good time, sounds a friendly bunch.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Glad you took the plunge 😀