Grinning like a Cheshire cat ..my first 10k done.

[Empem]

Holy moly , I have always been mildly incredulous when I've read posts from people expressing surprise to find they have reached 5 or 10k. Like , how do you " accidentally" run 10k?? Well now I know. It happens.

Set off with 6.5 in mind. Starting with an uncomfortable first 2k or so, felt as if I wasn't settled, but took it mega-slow as I've been working to build calf strength and don't want to ruin the work. Some of my discomfort was that I had two layers on so took off a top and hid it in a bush so I wouldn't have to carry it. " All I wanna do is have some fun" and the path was smooth managed to get happy.

The lock I cross was filling so I knew I would have a while before being able to cross back over so found some inner reserve and kept going around some bumpy fields and overgrown paths I've run only once before. After about 7k I knew I would need to make a choice. Do I abandon the shirt in the bush and walk home on the horrid rush-hour roads or keep running, back-track via the lock and go back along lovely river paths?

Now I know what happened to those people!

.......thanks to Radiohead in the last km and changing the lyrics from " I'm a creep , I'm a wierdo" to " I'm a freak , I'm a winner" in my head, my metaphorical ribbon moment was in the middle of the rec. with nobody but the crows to cheer.....

....so anyway, I guess a shirt in the bush is worth two 5ks! I am so very very pleased and glowing and I don't care who knows it!

[Hidden]

Brilliant! And now you know...it happens. Great write-up, your glow can be felt by readers. Well Done you! 😘

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Having a massive spinach and eggs brunch...still smiling!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You definitely had to go back to collect your shirt Empem. It’s bad enough seeing dog poop bags hanging in the bushes without runners discarding their clothes as well 🏃‍♀️👚👕👖👙

A big well done to you - 10k whoopie - 🏃‍♀️👏🍾🥂🎉🎉

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Haha yes indeed ( oh gawd isn't that an awful thing to see).Sorry I couldn't come up with a better proverb though!

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Woohoo! Huge congratulations, a wonderful achievement 😀👍👏🏃‍♀️

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks a lot T-M. I'm certain I would not have embarked on 10k story without knowing others were at it too!

[skysue16 Graduate10]

That is wonderful! Very well done - a great achievement 👍😄

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Thanks.Still grinning!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Yey, well done Empem ...the shirt is worth the sacrifice, I can positively feel the happiness through your post! A great run...& lucky crowd for being able to cheer your success!! 💪🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼‍♀️

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

If only it was a crowd!! Thanks a bunch MC It were reet gradely!

[Jundal]

Well done, empem! Looks like a beautiful place to run, so double win! Go you!💪👍

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Jundal]

Thanks J.Headed out of town, through an outskirting village, along river paths and meadows and back through my local park.Feel lucky to be able to stay off pavements.Never been on a treadmill!

[Jundal in reply to Empem]

I haven't been on one for years, I'm lucky to have plenty of paths near me that go through woodland with a load of different routes to explore. Can't beat a good forest type run!

[AnnieW55]

Congratulations. Your photo is great, you have every reason for being so pleased and happy.

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks Annie, hoping it won't be a hard recovering though as I wasn't 'supposed ' to be at this point yet!

[AnnieW55 in reply to Empem]

Nah! You’ll be fine, just give it a day or two. It’ll take longer than that for you to cme down 😀

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Well done! It’s a massive achievement and you should be pleased and glowing - for at least a week! (I know I was!) 👏👏👏😁😁😁

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Ta very much. Still quite shocked!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Brilliant!! 👏😁🏅 go you!! Great run and great acheivement💪👍

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks a million GGJ

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

Yay well done you! 👏🏃‍♀️💨

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Thanks, it's so lovely getting cheered on hear!

[Jaz20 Graduate10]

That’s brilliant - well done 👍🏃‍♀️🥂

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Jaz20]

Thanks Jay, very validating to see all the Graduate badges folk sending a big pat on the back.Thank you.

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Fantastic Empem!! Brilliant achievement, well done 👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks L.Wishing you happy running too!

[Languid_Lil]

Really lovely story - well done!

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Languid_Lil]

Thanks so much...what a buzz!

[lollytwist Graduate10]

Well done, no wonder you feel fantastic. Enjoy the moment - I’m hoping to get there myself in the next few weeks 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to lollytwist]

Oh great.C'mon you can do it.My physio will have a fit, so I intend to pare it back for a few weeks ..get back on the take -it -steady programme! Good luck with the training!

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

Well done, isn’t it just the best feeling when you’ve achieved this goal, I’m doing my first 10k race this Saturday after training for it this summer, 7 10ks under my belt, all thanks to C25k. Congratulations Empem, the girl done good.

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

Wow.Inspiring to hear about what prep'you've done for the race ahead.I've yet to run with others, even a Parkrun.Things to do.Good Luck!

[Mcdon]

Congratulations it’s a great feeling indeed xxx

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Mcdon]

Can't believe the badge is there!

[Saartjie Graduate10]

I'm sorry...I missed this! Congrats on your accidental 10k 🏃‍♀️😊

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie]

Not at all.Thank you it's lovely to have so many pats on the back!

[Saartjie Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

You deserve it! It is nice though...am feeling even more proud now. 😊

[Hidden]

Your smile is almost 10K wide 😁😁 well done accidental or not a big milestone to have in the bag 👏👏👏👏

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks SR yes still crowing!

[Gran4z Graduate10]

Congratulations, 10k - you've done it, and you got your shirt too. Great result 👏👏👏. Good running 🎉.