Yes! Yes! Yes! (As Sally said to Harry)😉

[Millsie-J]

My very first 10k is done, I am so pleased with myself!

This morning everything was right to do it….great weather, fuelled and hydrated, new route sorted, the morning to myself!

I can hardly believe I ran the whole way. It felt really comfortable so no crafty walks, I just ran, ran, ran! No-where near my estimated Myasics plan predicted time but I don’t care. I am never going to be a fast runner so I am concentrating on the distance and enjoying the journey.

For the film buffs who recognised the link in the title of this post, the absolute classic Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal film, and in line with the current films awards season please prepare for my graduation 10 badge acceptance speech:

I would like to thank Laura, she got me through C25K, and is still happy to come out with me for speed /stamina sessions etc.

I would like to thank Sami Murphy, she made me realise distance runners (er excuse me?????), are allowed to take short walking breaks if they need to.

I would like to thank ju-ju- , your latest Quest kept me focused and has got me ready for my first 10k race early March. Also poppypug and RFC whose previous quests have helped me get to this point.

I would like to thank Tomas who advised on hydration following my recent 8k post. Also big, big, big thanks to Realfoodieclub who recognised my times meant I may need to look at fuelling during a 10k run and advised that we all need to find what suits ourselves (bless you Rfc, I choose dates for the carbs along the way……worked a treat!).

I would like to thank Oldfloss and Bazza1234 for setting the bar for us (older) runners, you are both inspirational.

I would like to thank everyone on the forum for their ongoing support throughout my journey, for their many wise words, and for their entertaining updates about their own journeys!

I would like to thank my family for their ongoing encouragement and my close friends for not laughing when I first said I was a runner! They all continue to not show too much boredom when I talk running teehee!

And finally, I would like to thank myself for maintaining focus, digging deep, getting on with it and for all the lovely running gear I have managed to amass since I started this journey in July 2016. This running malarkey is so great!

And finally, I will finish with the greatest quote from the aforementioned film…….. “I’ll have what she’s having!”.

You know what I’m talking about !😎

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Wow jacs...so pleased for you.😊👏👏👏👏

And you still had some energy left to write your acceptance speech! 😄😄

That graduate10 looks great by your name..wear it with pride.. you rock girl😊

[Millsie-J in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan.......to be honest I took myself by surprise running the full distance but just shows what you can do if you stick with the training 🏃🏽‍♀️

[Hidden]

What fantastic news, I am so pleased for you. Wear your grin with pride, it is so deserved! Enjoy your new found distance and achievement.

[Millsie-J in reply to Hidden]

Thanks H. I do hope you are back to full fitness soon x

[Hidden in reply to Millsie-J]

Yes I am not too bad when running it is just everyday movement. I have been doing 8k and 9k with a 5k today so still confident I can do 10k!

[poppypug Graduate10]

Woo Hoo !

Absolutely brilliant Jacs , 10k is a fantastic achievement , Many Congratulations to you on a very well deserved and well earned Graduate 10 Badge !

You should be so so proud of yourself, you have done amazingly well . Yay, Go you !

Thank you for the mention in your acceptance speech ! xxx

[Millsie-J in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Pops, I'm loving the shiny badge! Who would have thought I could ever run 10k, I am still amazed at myself 😃

[poppypug Graduate10]

It suits you Jacs, Well done xxx

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Brilliant Speech!!!! Well done.

[Millsie-J in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you! She bows and exits stage left 😆

[ChezLiz Graduate10]

Congratulations! Sounds like you had a fantastic run. Here's to many more 10ks (and beyond!) 🍾🍾

[Millsie-J in reply to ChezLiz]

Thank you......oooooh i cant think of running further....does it creep up on you like the 10k? Oh my!

[pollyp1 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Ahemm.... forgive me if I'm remembering the wrong person but I'm pretty sure you flirted (alluded to / made fleeting reference (my interpretation, obv!) with an HM when we were discussing 10k a few weeks ago...

#justsaying

[Millsie-J in reply to pollyp1]

oooo I dont recall......did i really.....had i had a glass of wine maybe?

I will ponder this.........never say never ! x

[pollyp1 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

A tad bored - and I found it - some way down the thread...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

"Oooo yes OldFloss, pollyp1 could aim for a bit further for her 60th......somethinglike a Half Marathon 😉and I could do it for my 65 birthday maybe😱😱😱😱😱😱, teeheehee"... - the euphoria of 10k must've wiped it from your mind!

[Millsie-J in reply to pollyp1]

Yes you are right! I did sort of suggest......... Ive got five years, hope thats long enough to build the distance 🤐

[pollyp1 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Plenty of time

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

It is hard to fully appreciate where we have all come from - and how far we have grown!!!! I went motorhoming with our motorhome club last weekend with around 50 people of my age group. All I can do really is to look at them and shake my head - and maybe thank the Universe for leading me where it has. I do feel very good about what I have done and where I am - this is not to say that this will prolong my personal longevity - but it does at least seem to be allowing me to do quite "normal" things in life that many of my peers have given up on - even simple things like walking a bit of a distance.

Good on you for doing what you have done - now the goal is to keep it going!! It IS very easy to fall off the wagon!!!!!!

[Millsie-J in reply to Bazza1234]

Thanks Bazza. Yes you are right, it is easy to fall off the wagon. At the moment I can, so I do, for all of those who would love to but can't. I am firmly of the opinion we need to use it or loose it, which is getting me out three times a week and hopefully will continue to do so 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏻👟

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done☺and great thank you speech!😉

[Millsie-J in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandra, I think I may try making those power flapjacks, good luck with your Bath HM 🏃🏽‍♀️

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

You should, they are yummy! And thanks for your good wishes - getting closer to my big day!😮

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

Magnificent well done from me too! 10k is a long way and you did it all running. It's amazing isn't it? Here's too many more runs!

[Millsie-J in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Thank you so much! I'm ready for my race now, 12 days to go 👍🏼🏃🏽‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Oh my! You only went and did it!!!

Congratulations, you 10K runner you!

We are so thrilled for you and proud of you too! Very, very, very well done. Bask in the well deserved glory !

It feels amazing doesn't it? And that badge..well...just made for you xxxxxxxxxxx

[Millsie-J in reply to Oldfloss]

You've set that bar Floss, such great encouragement and motivation to aim high too!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks..but you did this.🙂

Congratulations x

[Irish-John Graduate10]

Well done

[Millsie-J in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks IJ. I think i may be a runner eeekkkk! ✋🏼

[Irish-John Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

"Think" ??? You ARE!

[Davoda Graduate10]

Congratulations on a great run & brilliant acceptance speech!

[Millsie-J in reply to Davoda]

Thank you 😀Took me almost as long to scribe my acceptance speech as to run the 10k lol.

[Davoda Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Did you not "write" it en route?

[Millsie-J in reply to Davoda]

I was so slow I probably could have done! Mind you i ran along the canal bank and may have fallen in if I had!

How is it as I ran outwards I thought mmmmm uphill almost all the way out. Then running back in I thought....mmmm uphill almost all the way back....... how does that work????😳

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Same as wind in your face on the way out and the same gale force wind in your face on the way back

[runswithdogs Graduate10]

Aww yeah! Congratulations.

[Millsie-J in reply to runswithdogs]

You can join me on my race 10k, keep the day free, 5th march! A lovely countryside trail, we will have a great time🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[runswithdogs Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Fantastic! Where's it at? I'll be ready. And so will you!

[Millsie-J in reply to runswithdogs]

Ashbourne 10 on the Tissington Trail. Slight incline for the outward 5k but pay back on the inward 5k (hopefully). We will have a brilliant time! Think of the bling yeahhhhhhh! Long way for you to travel mind!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Whoop whoop! Well done Jacs. Great post and your enthusiasm shines through 🤗 and that badge looks perfect 🙂

[Millsie-J in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks your Maj! I was a bit worried about being able to complete the distance so today was my last chance to try it before my 10k race. Just doing short runs between now and then 👍🏼#thisgirlcanrun10k

[Tomas Graduate10]

Wow, Millsie-J you have done yourself and all of us proud. Well done. And great speech that will be remembered for a long time. Congratulations!

[Millsie-J in reply to Tomas]

Thank you Tomas, the hydration and fuelling was the secret, as you suggested last post!

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Congratulations! You realise how far that is when you get to drive it,I always think.... 6.2 miles wow!😊a 10k any time you do it is special but your 1st one will always be remembered! Great speech too! 😆

[Millsie-J in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali, it was a real milestone! Still smiling now😃

[pollyp1 Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done, you'll rock the race in March! I'm creeping up on you... (very slowly!!)

[Millsie-J in reply to pollyp1]

We can do this polly, keep going 💪🏻

[pollyp1 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

You know you can and I'm pretty sure. I'm only running once or twice a week at the mo, which is why it's not done yet. It's tempting just to go for it but I'll be sensible and bridge the gap over a few weeks!

ps: brilliant post - the love shone out.

[Millsie-J in reply to pollyp1]

You definitely can! Yes sensible is the way to success. 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Fantastic! Great post, great speech! May I ask what your gown was like for this event? Seriously, though, well done - it's a great achievement

[Razouski]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Fantastic acceptance speech. I especially liked the thanks to your friends for not showing too much boredom when you talk running. I think my friends are beginning to have problems with this.

The badge looks great. 🏅

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Congratulations - first of many 10k's, feels good doesn't it! Very well done....I love the speech too