My first bling

[reluctantrunner76]

Thank you to all on here and back on the other C25K forum. To everyone just starting out or feeling any doubt, please just stick at it. It does work somehow. In July I couldn’t even bring myself to start, and now look!!!

On Sunday I completed my first 10k run. I can’t really believe I did it.

I felt totally out of my depth to be honest. There were a lot of people and most people seemed to be in groups or it looked like they knew what to do. There were lots of club runners and people doing fancy warm ups. I blindly followed people about and joined he queue for my bib and time tag. Then found the start and had no idea where to stand.

Eventually after a little delay we were off. I was following my mantra of just keeping to my own pace and don’t follow the crowd but I must admit I was feeling great and just going with the flow. A quick check of my pace and after 2k I thought, I can go a bit faster for this middle section I reckon. So I did, then I found myself even overtaking people which felt very odd but thought, ok I feel good. At 5k I ignored the water on offer and had my gel thing that a friend recommended, I think it turbo charged me. Next I approached the one and only hill on the course, I saw people struggling but thought I would just power up it and recover on the down bit, again I was fine so thought I’ll keep this pace going.

I only had 2k left so managed to keep the same pace till the finish. My time was 53:38 so came a pretty respectable 266 out of over 600.

So all in all not a bad first outing I don’t think. Might have to change my user name now, I might be hooked:)!!!

[Realrunner]

Brilliant time for a first 10k! Well done you...

[Jonesycat Graduate10]

Wow, well done , Mike - that's a really fantastic time! Were you in Doncaster too?I know exactly what you mean 'cos I felt a bit out of my depth and clueless as well, but it all worked out in the end. Many, many congratulations!

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Jonesycat]

I was in Gloucester. It was weird, it was so busy I didn’t talk to a sole until I overheard people talking next to me at the start about standing in the wrong place too close to the front and worrying about the mad rush off. I said “I’m glad I’m not the only one!”. I couldn’t believe how fast some of them went off. Sometimes I give it a bit extra for a minute or so but they were flying. Congratulations to you too. When’s your next one?

[Jonesycat Graduate10 in reply to reluctantrunner76]

I'm keeping an eye out for a 10k close-ish to home in the New Year, but haven't seen anything yet. Will maybe make do with a fun Santa Dash round town in the meantime. Then I'll have to decide what, if any, my goal is for next year, whether to try and really improve my 5/10k times or go longer distance. Or both!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Wow! What a speedy time for a 10K - you should be really proud of that! Well done😀

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Brilliant...what a great run. Well done, thats a fast time for 10k...😊

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I did too until at the finish there were people sat around drinking coffee and getting massages like the had been finished for ages. The first finishers did it in just over 30 mins:)!!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to reluctantrunner76]

Ha, they are the elite...we are here to make them look good. ..😉

Excellent time😊x

[Theziggy]

Super time - congratulations

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Theziggy]

Thank you!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Wow..that’s fantastic...it’s been a great journey to watch...long may it continue xx

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks, how are you getting on with your running nowadays? It’s hard to keep track on here at the moment!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to reluctantrunner76]

Ok...I’m not pushing myself, just like getting out 3 times a week, I usually run between 3 & 5k...I’m enjoying it though & that’s the main thing!! It’s hard keeping an eye on everyone isn’t it?! X

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Mummycav]

Well done for keeping it up. I had to have 3 week break for a bad back and really struggled to get back into it. Can’t believe how much a break sets you back, no wonder people give up. Keep enjoying:)!!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to reluctantrunner76]

Don’t say that!?!? You’re not giving up or else I’ll hunt you down & get you out with me....xx

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Mummycav]

Ha, don’t worry. I’m not giving up. Just looking at what to sign up for next:)!!!

[Hidden]

Woohoo, what a run, well done! What gel did you use as it sounds like turbo power?

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Hidden]

It was just from Tesco, berry flavour. It’s a very odd consistency but nice and worked!!

[Langley-Loper Graduate10]

Fantastic time, I am suitably impressed. I started in July too and am about 5 minutes behind you for 10k but not brave enough to run with others.

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to Langley-Loper]

I would do it again. That was my first run with anyone other than just me and my dog. I only signed up to give me a bit of motivation to keep it up every week after completing the C25K!

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Wow, that is a fantastic time very well done! And well done for coping with the pre race preparations - I usually have a bit of a faff

[reluctantrunner76 in reply to skysue16]

I know, I was faffing loads. Didn’t have a clue what to do. Just blindly followed people about. At one point I was in a queue for coffee. Then it was so cold I couldn’t get my bib on, then had to ask someone how to fit the tag on my trainer. Then had to go to the toilet extra times, think that was the nerves.

[skysue16 Graduate10 in reply to reluctantrunner76]

Queues for the toilets are a nightmare at events!! 🚺🚹 😕