Finally - 10k done!

[PashleyPedaller]

Well, it's taken me a while to get here since graduating C25K last December, but – finally – I've run a 10k after several stop-start attempts at the B210K programme. I was forced to take a 2-months break from running 'cos of a health problem (another flare-up of the dreaded ulcerative colitis – yuk) but, determined not to let it beat me, I got back on Ju-Ju-'s plan again in mid-May. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping up with all your progress and inspirational stories on this forum.

Last Saturday I did my third Parkrun (the first since last year) and managed a PB of 31:10 mins (admittedly slow going for the majority of Parkrunners, but I was happy!). On Tuesday evening I intended to run a 9k as per the plan. It was sunny but cool after the stuffy heat of last weekend, and I deliberately set off at a gentle pace as I'd not attempted this distance before. The first 2k felt quite hard going and I began to have doubts, but then things got easier. There were loads of other runners out in the country park (most of them striding past me!) and I found myself enjoying the lovely summer evening. After I'd hit the 9k mark (at the top of the steepest hill on the way back), I thought, “why not keep going to 10k instead of walking the rest of the way home?”, so just kept plodding on. Boy, it felt a long way, but I did it!

Happy running, everyone!

x

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Well done, Angela!! I've still do do a second 10k......

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

Thanks, Mike! Got there in the end ...

You're doing great and your pace is way faster of anything this old girl could ever manage - my best is 6.10/km over 5k. Not sure when I'm likely to do another 10k - time is a limiting factor, so shall probably stick to lunchtime 5ks for the time being.

Take care, x

[MikeJones68 Graduate10 in reply to PashleyPedaller]

Your pace is very good! I have the same issue with time. There's just not enough hours in the day. That's why I run fast 😉

[Razouski]

Well done. What an achievement.

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Gosh, thanks, Razouski. Like you, I find a great playlist helps me along - had some belting 70s and 80s tunes on my run this time ...

[Tbae]

Very well done.🌟

Great times too, for both your 5k and 10K.👏👏

Would die for either or both.🙈😂

Enjoy your journey and run because we can.💫🏃‍♀️💫

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10]

Gosh, thanks Tbae. I don't think pace matters much, to be honest, especially for those of us who are past their first flush of youth ;). You've run some impressive distances and what really matters is getting out there and enjoying it, and keeping fit and active. As you very rightly say, "run just because we can" x

[Tbae in reply to PashleyPedaller]

That’s so true PP.🌟

It’s a gift to ourselves.🌟

Makes for a long session, but hey ho, Laura says I have had a good work out and my garden can relax.🙈😂😂

[TedG Graduate10]

Well done Angela, pleased to see you back 😊👏

I’d be happy with your Parkrun time, nowhere near it at the moment 🙄

What’s next for you? 🤗

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Thank you, Ted - there's life in the old girl yet!

It's lovely to hear from you. I'm super-impressed by your HM progress; I certainly couldn't run 5+ miles to Parkrun and then do it! I think you're very brave and determined in signing up for the GNR - what an experience that will be!

I'm not sure what to do next. I'm pleased to have the 10k under my belt now, but the next challenge of HM looks scary and I don't really have enough time to commit to all that training at the moment (unfortunately the day job gets in the way). Having said that, I'd love to run the Brighton & Hove HM and found myself browsing the website the other day ... for the time being I shall stick to doing 5ks and hopefully a few more 10ks and see how I get on. A few months ago, I couldn't run 100m, so who knows?

Keep on running, Ted - and keep in touch xA

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to PashleyPedaller]

Hi Angela, thanks for those kind words 😊

Are you aware that the NHS is celebrating its 70th anniversary at every Parkrun throughout the country tomorrow?..... there’ll be a lot of folk there including NHS staff and runners in fancy dress....going to be a fun morning 🤗

I was thinking about the Brighton Half next year, my daughter may do it with me....let me know if you decide to do it.

Take care and happy running x

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Hi Ted. Yes, they announced the NHS 70th anniversary run at my Parkrun last week. Thought maybe I should tie a bandage round my head or something as I'm usually the only runner there officially affiliated to NHS Couch to 5k! Sounds fun and I'll try to get there tomorrow, but we have family to stay at the moment, so it might prove difficult to get away.

If I do decide to sign up for the Brighton HM next year, I'll let you know. (Never say never ...) I think doing it with your daughter sounds a lovely idea. Mine lives in Hove too.

Take care and happy running, Ted x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

It is a long way isn't it😄... Huge congratulations on your achievement PashleyPedaller..

Ju ju's plan is great and so are you!

Ask for your Graduate 10 badge here...

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto....

Have a good rest now, you've earned it😎xxx

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you, Jan. And thank you for the link ... I'll be so proud of my 10k badge - to prove there's life in the old girl yet!

Seriously, though, I couldn't have done it if it wasn't for this forum and all the encouraging and inspirational posts - runners are such a lovely lot

[Wizziewood Graduate10]

That's brilliant, well done.

.... and you're right, it is a long way but YOU DID IT!

By the way ... excellent Park Run time ... wish I could do that!

Keep up the good work and happy running!

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Wizziewood]

Gosh, thanks, Wizzie. I think I surprised myself on both counts - there's life in the old girl yet! I'm lucky that my local Parkrun is almost completely flat (although the paths are a bit uneven) so that probably helps a lot. Happy running x

[Joy57 Graduate10]

Well done! Your Parkrun time is great in my book....

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Joy57]

Gosh, thanks Joy. I'm lucky that my local Parkrun is fairly flat all the way, so that probably helps at lot! I'm very envious of your beach run - that looked fabulous. Happy running x

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Wow! Well done! And that’s a great time, too. Persistence pays off, right?! 👏👏👏

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Gosh, thanks Sadie. Got there in the end ... there's life in the old girl yet!

Happy running x

[ClareO65]

Well done - that’s a good time too x

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to ClareO65]

Thanks, Clare - there's life in the old girl yet!

Happy running x

[Nwrkpak Graduate10]

Yeah. That must have felt good. Well done. The first 10k of many to come I’m sure . And also super well done for that fast park run. I know many who would be very happy with that time. Me included. I’m currently running nearly 8km and my fastest park run is 37 minutes and I’ve worked dames hard to achieve both of those so you’re doing great. 😄

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Nwrkpak]

Thanks Nwrkpak. There's life in the old girl yet!

If you're running 8km already then you're not far off 10km - you'll soon do it. And, to be honest, my local Parkrun is more or less flat all the way, so that probably helps a lot!

Keep running - and keep smiling - you're doing great too

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Well done - it's a real milestone distance.

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you, Ancientrunner! Yes, I'm so proud of my 10k badge - it proves there's life in the old girl yet!

Happy running x

[Nictwit]

Amazing! Well done you 😀 Hope you're still on that high!

[PashleyPedaller Graduate10 in reply to Nictwit]

Gosh, thanks Nictwit - and, yes, I'm still feeling pretty pleased; it proves there's life in the old girl yet!

Happy running x

[Andygale Graduate10]

Inspirational post...great times too for 5k and 10k. Well done. Motivated me to keep training for a 10k....