9k? Don’t mind if I do! 👏👏

[cheekychipmunks]

I had 4 choices. Stay home in the warm and dry, consolidate last week’s 8k, run the 8.5k I’d secretly planned on doing, or run 9k.

I ditched the first option, tempting though it was, did my warm up yoga and jumped in the car. Got to the park and took my dog on my warm up walk in the rain. Popped her back in the car and took off my jacket. Bonkers, but it wasn’t that cold. I was still the only person without one though!

Rounded up my snails and I started off at a lovely slow pace and tried to maintain it all the way. I can honestly say that for 6.25k I felt like I could have run for ever (well not ever ..... but you know what I mean!) In fact I thought fleetingly, ‘should I go for the full 10k?’, then remembered all the wise words and sage advice on here and had a few stern words with myself!

7k came and went, then 8k (then 8.25k which was my record to date and warranted a little fist pump 👊), and when I got to 8.5k I could have stopped, but had enough in the tank to run round (ironically) to the ambulance parked up, which I guessed would be 9k - and it was! Ambulance not required I’m happy to say!

I’m chuffed to pieces as I now know exactly where the 10k mark will be and I know I CAN do it! 😀🏃‍♀️👍

Only tactical error was I couldn’t have ended up further from my car if I tried, so I had to walk back across the park looking daft in very few clothes and no jacket. Hopefully the grin and 🍅 face made people realise why!!

So jacket on and walking my dog in the sunshine now, still grinning! 😀😀😀

Happy running everyone! 👍

[SANDI_runs Graduate10]

Yeah!!!! Well done cheeky! That 10k podium is within our reach 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ 🥇

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to SANDI_runs]

Unbelievable isn’t it? It’s so exciting! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👊👊👏👏🎉🎉

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done you! Sounds oh so straight forward after a few chats with self! I expect the lovely admin folk are preparing the podium as I type 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I did chat to myself and listened too! But I’m not sure how I’d have managed if my final kilometer to 10k had been downhill! It was up all the way so I resisted! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😅

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

The photo is lovely! You look to be glowing with health, vitality and joy! 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Aww thanks 61! I feel great I must say! Running really is joyous. ❤️

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky! Note to self: give the 10k podium a lick of paint, it won't be long before we need it 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

Thank you Mike! I need to keep pinching myself, really. 5k seemed unattainable at the start of C25K, and 10k was for bonkers people. Well guess what? I’m going to be one of those people and be proud of it! 😀 Running will always be part of my life now - and that in itself is amazing. These forums have helped 100%, no doubt about that. 👍🏃‍♀️🏃

[uncle_wiggy]

What a fab run cheeky, talk about smashing it. Anyone who ever questions pace etc. NEEDS to read your posts!

You should start a snail farm.... You'd be rich beyond your wildest dreams.... Oh hang on, it seems you have that feeling anyway! 🤣👌👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Hahaha Wiggy, you’re right there. I’ve grown to love my snails. I have a selection of varying speeds. My most useful ones accompanied me today and allowed me to average my 9k at 8.25 min/km, and I did it in 1hr 15. I normally average in the mid-low 7’s, but I didn’t want to overdo things and have to run less far - or even bail. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🐌🐌

My parkrun snail is a good one. He’s quite speedy but also strong as he drags me up the killer hill there. It’s steeper than my regular route. I’m hoping my longer runs are strengthening my legs though. and I can start giving him a break soon! 🐌🐌

[uncle_wiggy in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have been using a couple of 🐌 this week myself. Consolidation runs don't have quite the same vigor as last weeks W9 runs and PR, but that was always going to be the case. They were good just not as good!

Want to PR this weekend but can't unless I can reschedule something, and next weekend I def can't. I just wanna stretch out there again as I really it brought the best out of me!

Happy running as always cheeky 😉

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thank you Wiggy, you too. It would be nice if you could swing parkrun. I love going to ours. There’s another one close to me that I’m going to attempt in the new year, but it’s a renowned killer one (2.5k up, 2.5k down) so I want a few more solid weeks of long runs in my legs first!

Hope you can make it! 🤞

[Hidden]

Huge well done cheeky - You're my hero!

9K ...fantastic! Home straight now then...

fist pumps to you 👊 ...your herd of super snails 👊 ....and your wonderful dog 👊

a fab result and well worth a scantily clad walk in the rain 😄

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much TS! I had to pass my car twice on the run and couldn’t bear to look inside until I’d finished. My dog’s little face would have been looking! She’ll come to parkrun on Saturday though. 🐕❤️

And yes, my snails are my heros. I always assumed running meant running full pelt. No it certainly doesn’t! 👏🏃‍♀️🐌

[Hidden]

Aah bless her, must be hard but you're absolutely doing the right thing... and she'll have bundles of energy for that park run to help you up those hills 😄

You're absolutely right, I'll be trading in some of my boyish Thunder for some extra snails soon, especially if i want to achieve the lofty heights of 9-10K 👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, TS, definitely the right decision. She’d willingly run for as long as necessary but it’s not fair for a little doggie to be constantly running for an hour plus with no chances to sniff or roll.

Let me know if you’d like to Rent-a-Snail. They travel well and are happy to assist any of my VRBs! 😀🏃🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🐌🐌

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ooh cheers cheeky! I'll be tapping you up for extra snails V-soon!!! x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Hoorah Cheeky! I never doubted you and your snails could do it 🐌🐌🐌.

Well done!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you TC, you clearly cared for the snails well! 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think I made them go so slow they were still fresh for today!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

😅😅😅😅 Let me know when you’d like them back! 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[Runsome Graduate10]

I had a sneaking suspicion you would go for the 9k. There seems to be no stopping you now. Really great job 10k here you come. You must have a smile a mile wide good on you well done😀👍👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Runsome! Yes I hoped to have enough in the tank for the 9k, although I was planning on 8.5k really. I would probably gone on to complete the 10k if the last one had been downhill, but where I stopped was at the bottom of my pesky hill! Might need to rejig my 10k starting point a bit to avoid that happening! 😅

[Hidden]

Well done Cheeky! Lovely pic, super happy smile 🤩💛 Sounds like an awesome run! 9k is amazing! You’ll be at 10k before you know it! You definitely can do it! 🙌💪 Keep running & smiling 🎉🎉

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Dreams! Running makes me smile all the time! I even manage to smile at runners as we pass each other. Some smile back, some can’t as they’re grimacing too much! 😅

[Hidden]

I try to exchange a smile if I pass a runner too 😃 ... although sometimes I’m concentrating so hard on my breathing rhythm, I’ll just manage a friendly nod... or randomly a type of wave... which is really odd 🙈 I don’t know why I’ve started doing this, it just happens 🙈 the minute we’ve passed I regret it, then I end up smiling anyway, borderline full on giggle sometimes, depending on how much of a fool of myself I think I’ve made 😂🙈👋🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

🤣🤣🤣

[Oldlady57]

Wow!!! Think you May have ditched those 🐌🐌🐌🐌😉impressive cheeky 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you OL! Not ditched the 🐌🐌 quite yet, in fact I used them to my advantage today as I really wanted to make the distance! 😀🏃‍♀️👍🐌💪

[Oldlady57 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Getting competitive with yourself now cheeky!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady57]

I know! 😅😅 Luckily that’s where my competitive streak stops - with myself! 😅

[hudsondoglets]

Fan-blooming-tastic!! Well done you 👍🏻💪🏻👏🏻

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to hudsondoglets]

Thank you HD! This running thing doesn’t fail to keep on giving! ❤️🏃‍♀️👍

[Flaraflarkin Graduate10]

Hey cheekychipmunks i just knew you would be one to watch!! What an incredible journey you've been on ~ reading your posts always give me hope 🤗 Well done you!! 👊🦋👊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Aww Flara, thanks so much! I like to share my experience as a confirmed non-runner back in June, who’s 55 in January and definitely not an athletic running build at 5’3 with a tiny stride! Most of all I’m happy to be a little snail running for fun! If I can grow to love this sport, anyone can! 😀 🏃‍♀️❤️🐌

[Hidden]

That's great Cheeky. Bet you were generating heat as you walked back to your car. Well done on stopping at 9km. Such restraint

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Paula! Definitely had a lovely warm glow of pride. Not a chance I’d have been out walking in what I was wearing otherwise! It was pretty chilly! 😅 And yes, I’m not sure how good my restraint would have been if the km to 10k had been downhill! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Beanjo]

Oh cheeky there’s no stopping you. 😊👍👏10km is a mere whisper away now and the best thing is that you’re enjoying it.

Really well done 👏👏👏

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Way to go cheeky! I had a feeling you wouldn't be able to resist the 9k this week😁

You've overtaken me too! I'm following the magic 10 plan and just got back from my 9k, feeling epic!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Yay well done to you too CH! I may have overtaken you by doing my 9k first, but that’s the only overtaking I’ll ever do of you! Speedy Crawlhome! When are you doing your 10k? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍👍

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Two weeks for me, next week is consolidating 9k.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Yay!!! Well done u!! 😁😁. Not long now till u have that lovely number 10 next to your name!! 👍🏃

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thank you Deals! The graduation badge is going to be very exciting. I’ll need to keep logging on just to look at it! 🤓

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Take a screenshot! 👍👍👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Hey yes, great idea! I could set it as wallpaper on my phone, iPad and desktop!! 😅

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Yes you CAN do that 10K 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 brilliant prep cheeky! ❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thank you! 😀 Argghh, you’re right it is close Equi! I keep getting butterflies at the thought! 🦋

[Katnap Graduate10]

You're so cheeky. Sneaking in a 9k run.

So when do you start doing consolidation runs?

10k?

15k?

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

I’d definitely consolidate any run where I struggled, and I am very careful to keep slow and steady!

Plus once I reach 10k, that’s it for distance for me. There aren’t enough hours in the day for a snail like me to go any further, so I’ll be consolidating 10k for ever and might even get a bit quicker! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You will get faster but does that matter as much as being happy? 😸

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

No, being happy is definitely the best. That’s why I’m enjoying running so much as I’m not out to beat people or win races. Just a bit of competition with myself sometimes! 🏃‍♀️😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done cheekychipmunks, almost there now and I have no doubt that you will do your 10k too. Go girl 🏃‍♀️👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! Can’t believe I’ve almost reached my target! Of course I’ll continue running and hone my skills, but I have no wish to run further than 10k. How about you? HM bound or more? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

No, I am happy to stick with this distance now cheekychipmunks. Mind you I will probably be reminded that I said that when I reached 5k. I think it also suits the runs available on the doorstep.

[Hidden]

Your posts are always inspiring and joyful! Glad you’re enjoying the runs. That 10k is almost yours 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Faith! They’re joyful because that’s exactly how running makes me feel. ❤️ I’ve only had 2 runs that I haven’t really enjoyed (one was W8R2, indelibly etched into my mind!) and the other was a couple of weeks ago when I was feeling energy-free.

Looking forward to my 10k attempt on Thursday like you wouldn’t believe! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jundal]

😭

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jundal]

Oh noooooo Jundal! Don’t sob! You’ll be there before you know it, you know you will. And think of those new shoes of yours ........ they’ll take you romping to 10k, no problem! 👍👏🏃

[Jundal in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I hope so!