I only went and did it! the Larkfield 10k graduation run

[GeorgiosA]

...cue the chariots of fire soundtrack in the background, for what was -for me at least, an epic run!

After a couple of weeks of finding it difficult to follow my training plan properly, being on holiday and my babies starting teething, which made for a bit of uncertainty in my ability to actually do the distance, I stood at the starting line of my local-ish and thankfully flat Larkfield 10k.

Started right at the end of the pack of runners and made a conscious effort to keep my pace slow and steady throughout - the key target being to finish and never mind the time. Took a while to get in rhythm but after 2k or so I felt good and kept going. Past the halfway mark of this 2 lap course I was still feeling strong and after some water I kept going. I managed to pass quite a few of the people who went flying off at the start in the process, which felt great! I'll never be proper fast but I enjoy knowing I'm not last...

The difficult part was km 8 &9, I was tired, feeling it in my legs and struggling, but so determined to finish. I found a second wind in km 9 and approached the finish line...and there waiting for me were my wife and 4 month old twins! What a wonderful surprise, it really gave me wings and I finished stronger than I felt at any time in the race!

My birthday is tomorrow and I can't think of a better gift, than this new version of myself who can run for 10k for the first time in my life!

Thank you to everyone in here for the help and support and in particular to the people on Strava - you know who you are. I wouldn't have made it here without you-thank you.

And now...onwards and upwards! After some cake

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on completing your 10k today, how lovely was that being greeted at the end by your wife and 4 month old twins, by the way happy birthday 🎂 for tomorrow🎉🎂🏃🏃

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! The finish with the family was the best feeling ever

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Well done!! And happy birthday for tommoro.

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thank you!

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

Lovely! So pleased for you. Well done and happy birthday for tomorrow 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️😊

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Thank you very much!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Yay! Congratulations on graduating in style (and with bling!) 🎉🎉🎉😃🏃‍♂️🏅❤️😎 🥂🍾 Enjoy your celebrations (and cake! 🍰😍)

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thank you very much - I loved this bling! though the real prize is the graduation badge!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

What a perfect graduation and early birthday gift!

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Indeed, that's the perfect way to graduate, for me at least..knowing there's a finish line with a medal at the end pushed me through, and then seeing the family got me flying to the finish line!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Another 10k graduation in a race with a medal. Well done GeorgiosA and a very happy birthday. Lots of reasons to celebrate

🎉🏃‍♂️👏🏅🍾🥂🎈🎂🍰

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you very much, can't wait for the graduate badge

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Wonderful in lots of ways! brilliant! Well done you! 👏🏅🍾🥂🍰

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you, and yes it was! First time I finished a race with my twins by the finish straight...best feeling ever!

[Decker]

Wonderful Georgios! What a great way to celebrate your birthday with your family. Happy birthday!

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thank you very much!

[roseabi]

Woot!! Well done!!!

Aaaaand... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Merci beaucoup! Et bon voyage

[Saartjie Graduate10]

What a lovely post. Well done on your 10k and your well deserved bling. Congratulations! 👏👏👏🎉🎊🏃‍♂️🎉🎊

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Saartjie]

Thank you!

[Empem Graduate10]

Beautiful story.Thank you Happy birthday and massive pats on the back!

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Thank you very much

[Sqkr]

Brilliant, what a perfect end to what sounds like a pretty perfect—albeit tough—race!

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

Thank you - I couldnt think of a better finish!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Happy Birthday Georgios! Checking out this report too!

Fantastic acheivement getting a 10k under your belt and in race conditions, thats awesome.

To go with your birthday badge and your Lovely 10k bling you also deserve the Graduate10 badge, ask here and it will be awarded...

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Have a lovely day and recover well from that race!😊xx

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you so much Jan Looking forward to the graduate badge - a virtual bling to cherish!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done! What a wonderful post and how fantastic to see your wife and twins on the finish line!☺ All this running will definitely help you keep up with them once they are bigger!! Happy Birthday to the new and improved you!☺🏃‍♂️🎂

[GeorgiosA Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you very much! And that's exactly the plan, try and keep up with them - it will be a challenge