I ONLY WENT AND DID IT! : So yesterday I did... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

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I ONLY WENT AND DID IT!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10
โ€ข71 Replies

So yesterday I did something I have always wanted to do but never believed I actually would. I ran 10km. My time was a respectable 1hr 10/12 mins (depending if you listen to Strava or Samsung Health) but tbh it's not important. I finished Couch to 5k in June, consolidated for a few weeks then got talked into the 10k plan. If I can do it anyone can! Am so proud of myself and my little legs...such an amazing way to explore some of the countryside around me. It's only taken me 20 years since the first attempt to actually be able to call myself a runner!

Ps. I did not run up those steps...there were 3 flights of them ๐Ÿ˜ณ

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Saartjie profile image
Saartjie
Graduate10
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71 Replies
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Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate10

Well done Sarah. A great achievement. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Jay66UK

Thanks Jay66UK . And thanks for all the support along the way ๐Ÿ˜Š

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate10 in reply to Saartjie

Likewise ๐Ÿ˜

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10

You have done AMAZINGLY well and proud to say a member of my C25K graduation class. 10 flipping K is huge! Super well done Sarah. xx

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71

Thanks my lovely ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ. Running to catch up with you was a strong motivating factor! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie

๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜

That's brilliant Saartjie you have done so well 10K is a big milestone to tick off and a very respectable time as well ..

The scenery looks wonderful a lovely place to run ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to

Thanks Rob...it really is a beautiful part of the world, and through running I am getting to see a whole load more of it!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Congratulations Saartjie. 10k definitely deserves a big leap in the air. Well done you. And what beautiful runs you have along the canals. How are you going to celebrate?

๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿคธโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿ’ซ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Haha had no energy left afterwards to do one of your leaps! I plan to celebrate by entering my first ever race. Celebrate running by running ๐Ÿ˜

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie

๐Ÿ‘Œ

David_G profile image
David_G

Congratulations Saartjie! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ Welcome to the 10K club ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅ‚

What a lovely place to run too ๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™m still consolidating post B210K and Iโ€™ve got a couple of timed events coming up. I started in April like you. Whoโ€™d have thought weโ€™d be here now before we started? ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜ณ

Good luck, wherever this running takes you! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to David_G

I know David. Was working out how long it had taken me and (if you don't count the many previous failed attempts!) it's really not long at all. How far we've come ๐Ÿ‘๐ŸปThank you and for all the support along the way ๐Ÿ˜Š

Gran4z profile image
Gran4zGraduate10

Yeehah, magic! Proud of you ๐Ÿ™‚.

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Gran4z

Thank you ๐Ÿ˜Š

LoungeLizaard profile image
LoungeLizaardGraduate10

Congratulations Sarah, I'll squeeze over on the podium to make room!!

Very well done, such a great achievement and you've come so far! x

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard

Thanks Mitch...we've all done alright haven't we?! ๐Ÿ˜Š

LoungeLizaard profile image
LoungeLizaardGraduate10 in reply to Saartjie

Can't believe what a difference 5 months makes!

mountaindreamer profile image
mountaindreamerGraduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ What are you still doing standing on that podium, Mitch! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚โค๏ธ

LoungeLizaard profile image
LoungeLizaardGraduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer

Enjoying my glory moment..... its my podium, mine I tell you, mine!! (But I'll squeeze over for my VRBs! ;)

lardofale profile image
lardofaleGraduate10

Superb effort! Well done to you, the time isn't important in the grand scheme of things but it's pretty good nonetheless!

10k is a very satisfying distance as, and as you say, you get to explore the great outdoors and in a pretty unique way.

Cap doffed mam!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to lardofale

Why thank you kind sir! ๐Ÿ˜Š

jeffbird profile image
jeffbirdGraduate10

Bet you have a big smile on your face, looks like a lovely setting too. Enjoy your success & good luck for your race!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to jeffbird

Thankyou ๐Ÿ™‚

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate10

Thatโ€™s awesome!!! Well done ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŽ“

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Equi-geek

Thanks! ๐Ÿ˜Š

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate10

Well done, and what beautiful surroundings to run in!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to MikeJones68

Thanks...I am quite lucky ๐Ÿ™‚

Goforitmama profile image
GoforitmamaGraduate10

Thatโ€™s fantastic! Congratulations! A big achievement and a pretty, scenic run. Well done.

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Goforitmama

Thanks Mama! ๐Ÿ˜Š

mountaindreamer profile image
mountaindreamerGraduate10

Brilliant Sarah! Well done!!! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿ…๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒโค๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธโค๏ธ

(Glad I wasnโ€™t in too much trouble for trying to encourage you to start the 10k add on!๐Ÿ˜‚)

What great photos too. Looks like a great place to run, and a lovely day to graduate! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer

Thanks MD! You weren't the only one egging me on don't worry ๐Ÿ˜‚ It was a lovely day for a run and I loved it. Apart from the steps...and a hill that felt like a wall...but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?! ๐Ÿ˜œ

Jaz20 profile image
Jaz20Graduate10

Congratulations ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜€๐ŸŽ‰ Brilliant run and beautiful photos. Enjoy the smug glow and your shiny graduate 10 badge!!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Jaz20

It's quite snazzy isn't it?! Thank you ๐Ÿ˜Š

Pippatong profile image
Pippatong

Thatโ€™s awesome. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Pippatong

Thanks!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

Fantastic Saartjie! Glad you added the P.S I was going to ask. ๐Ÿ˜‚! Such lovely views too. Well done!! Congratulations! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜โค๏ธ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Fabulous450

Thanks Fabulous ๐Ÿ˜Š

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10

Alleluia! Wonderful! Enjoy the glow and the pride.All that work and here we are!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Empem

Amazing. Really would never have thought it. I was quite happy with 5k and now 10 ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

southlundon profile image
southlundon

Thatโ€™s absolutely brilliant! I graduated at the end of July but Iโ€™m still consolidating - Iโ€™m in awe at your progress ๐Ÿ˜€

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to southlundon

Thank you ๐Ÿ˜Š To be honest the journey to 10k felt a whole lot less painful than to 5k. I consolidated for 3-4 wks then made the leap to 10k once I was comfortable with 5k and was doing it in a reasonable time.

southlundon profile image
southlundon in reply to Saartjie

Hopefully Iโ€™ll be where you are at some point in the future ๐Ÿ˜

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to southlundon

I'm sure you will ๐Ÿ˜Š

Abaggs profile image
AbaggsGraduate10

Congratulations! Lovely photos ๐Ÿ˜†

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Abaggs

Thank you ๐Ÿ˜Š

Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate10

Oh big congratulations Saartjie, just brilliant. 10K is such a milestone achievement, well done!! :) :)

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Lorijay

Ah thanks Lori xx

Dizzysmum17 profile image
Dizzysmum17Graduate10

Fantastic Sarah - so pleased for you. You must be so happy! ๐Ÿ˜Š a great achievement. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Dizzysmum17

Thank you. I am very happy...seemed to happen so quickly!

I've been looking forward to this run report for quite some time now. It's been an absolute pleasure watching your progress and it has genuinely felt like I was taking every step with you. From the first tentative increase, to the whole gait experience to finally completing the unthinkable 10K, in a hell of a great time!

So, what's next my lovely, a winter of consolidation and a HM plan come Spring?

Before dismissing my comment entirely, remember back to the first time the Magic 10 was mentioned and how unlikely and incredulous that sounded...

Very well done sweetie!!! ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜๐ŸŒน

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to

Thanks mum...baby's all grown up ๐Ÿ˜Š What's next? Keep at 10 for a while then see how I feel. Am going to sign up for a couple of 10k races ...one being the Great Manchester Run which will be a year since I started C25k. I went shopping in Manchester the day of the race this year without realising it was on. Saw all these runners after they finished and wondered if it could be me one day! Don't have any current aspirations to run for over 2 hours to do an HM but as you say...never say never! Will let you lead the way on that one for now ๐Ÿ˜‰

in reply to Saartjie

Your plan is infallible except...it's a plan and life doesn't like them! It's early days to be thinking about longer distances for sure and having read Sqr's GNR race report, it's very important that careful consideration is made for both distance and event. Your 10K race sounds great and you've already had a sneak peak. It will be wonderful to join in next year and fulfil that thought from this year!

Like you, I love a 10K but when I go over my legs get extremely fatigued. It's my dream to move on with the HM, but I'm thinking patience is a virtue. I can't see any "accidentally ran a HM"!

๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜˜

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to

๐Ÿ˜„

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Well done you!! Congratulations! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅ‚๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป I just love reading about all the wonderful progress that folk are making! Thank you for adding to this good news ๐Ÿ˜ŠBrilliant and what a lovely area to run in. All the very, very best for your onward running journey. I winder whether you noticeably feel healthier, fitter, better in any way? And, by the way, the shiny badge looks very good by your name. ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿคธโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ˜Š

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying

Thank you so much 61...I feel much better in lots of ways! My stress levels are down, my resting heart rate has come down by about 10bpm since I started running and it's given me a renewed love of the countryside around me. Oh and I have runners legs! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Well done u!!! Inspiring. I graduated start of August... And contemplating aiming for 10.! Looks a lovely run, and great time. ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿƒ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Deals1

Do it if you feel ready and can comfortably run 5k. It's tougher on the body but no where near as much of a struggle to reach the 10k goal on Juju's plan as C25k was!

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10

Congratulations!! Sounds like you had the perfect run and start to the next chapter of running. Am a big fan of canals and countryside - achieved my first 10k in 72 mins by a canal last weekend! Wishing you many happy runs...

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki

It's the first time I've run on the canal...it's the other end of town from where I live. But 10k gives me the opportunity to run to get there! I do worry about stumbling and falling in though ๐Ÿ˜„

grenoble12 profile image
grenoble12

Brilliant, Sarah. Excellent. Very well done.

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to grenoble12

Thank you so much ๐Ÿ˜Š

Martin_Peagam profile image
Martin_PeagamGraduate10

Congratulations!

A great feeling isn't it?

PS The pictures are good too!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Martin_Peagam

Thanks Martin! A great feeling indeed. I think it's only starting to sink in now to be honest ๐Ÿ˜€

Agelesslass profile image
AgelesslassGraduate10

What clever little legs you have too. So well done and a great hurdle to jump and youโ€™ve done it, big congrats to you Saartjie.

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to Agelesslass

Thanks so much! My legs are a bit short for any more hurdles though ๐Ÿ˜„

grenoble12 profile image
grenoble12

You're very welcome, Sarah. It's a GREAT achievement.

lollytwist profile image
lollytwistGraduate10

Ooh a big well done to you! You must feel fantastic, and so you should. What an achievement, and it shows how much these plans really work! Congratulations ๐ŸŽ‰

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to lollytwist

Thanks Lolly. I feel great. Not going to pretend it was easy but the difference is I knew I could do it...unlike the early days! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ช

lollytwist profile image
lollytwistGraduate10 in reply to Saartjie

I know exactly what you mean, I remember finishing week 1, of C25K and thinking I could never manage to increase to week 2! Enjoy your success, Iโ€™m on week 4 of Ju-juโ€™s plan and was over the moon to achieve 8k, so hope to join you on the podium fairly soon! Happy running ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate10 in reply to lollytwist

You'll be doing an 'accidental' 10k in no time at all. Enjoy ๐Ÿ˜Š

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