Casual blasé 5k in the bag! ❤️

[cheekychipmunks]

Hello my VRB’s 👋

I’ve just got back from a lovely 5k. Nothing special about it - my usual route, my usual relaxed slow pace, my dog attached to my waist having a lovely time. ❤️

I don’t quite know why I’m posting, but I suppose it dawned on me that last year, popping out on a cold windy December morning for a 5k run would have been so far off my radar and I’d have scoffed if someone suggested I do it.

It wasn’t ideal prep either. Late night singing with my wonderful choir in a Christmas concert, a few mulled wines on board, a Fish Finger sandwich when I got home (compulsory), and definitely not enough proper hydration! 🍷 🎶🎄 But I still went out! I turned off the split time announcement on MMR and just kept the distance one on. I didn’t want to know! As it turned out, it was just over 40 minutes. I was surprised it was that ‘quick’ in the circumstances, especially with my shocking prep and a hefty head wind in places. 💨

So that’s this week’s 5k done. ✅ Back to parkrun for the next one (volunteered yesterday), but first I have my 9k on Tuesday. Will definitely make sure I prep better for that run. 😅

Hope you’ve all had awesome runs this weekend, and have a great week! 👍😀🏃‍♀️🏃

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Sounds lovely! t's amazing isn't it how things change without you really noticing. I had a similar thought when I got in from my 6K run yesterday - funny how that's 'just a run' now, when not so long ago it was a challenge, something to worry over, flat flat route to be carefully planned. It's called progress isn't it? Big pat on the back to progressing runners everywhere.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Yes definitely Linda. It shows how by degrees it’s all clicking into place! Aren’t we lucky to be runners? 😀

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

very

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Well done cheekychipmunks... for getting out and running! You could have excused yourself after last night, but I bet you feel brilliant after that run...😊

Happy running!😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BBR, and yes I certainly do feel great! It would have been very easy to have stayed in my PJ’s and sloonged around all day today! 😅

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Sounds like a great run.

I now want a fish finger sandwich!🥪

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

My friend and I were saying how hungry we were on our way home last night, and we both agreed we were going to make FF sandwiches. Difference is, she has 2 in hers. I have 4 (plus spares on the side!) 🤣🤣

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

A whole handful and then some 😊

That's almost a confession.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Haha, yes it is. But I have nothing on my husband who has freely admitted to eating a whole packet - of 32 - in his youth! ☺️

[Tartancat Graduate10]

A nice relaxed 5k - like you say, 6 months ago that would have sounded ridiculous!

I'm working on speeding up a bit, so just running about 30 minutes at a time at a quicker pace, and it feels like I'm slacking! Got too used to running for longer.

What is happening to us?

Enjoy your 9k next week Cheeky 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

We’re all happy happy runners doing our thing, that’s what! No rules (except rest days and not going too far too soon)! Fabulous stuff. 😀👍

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Fish finger sandwiches! That takes me back! will be well earned after your 9k. Cafe after my second 8k tomorrow, I hope!!🐌🐌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC, but it was only a 5k today! 9k to come on Tuesday! 9k might not have been on the cards with the lack of prep! 😀

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Very good work, Cheeky! And how lovely you have a pup to run with. 🐶 I know what you mean - I honestly still cannot believe I’m a 🏃‍♀️ runner! xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie! Oh yes, my dog loves to run with me and she accompanied me throughout the majority of C25K, even when we were on hols in Germany back in the summer. 🐕❤️🏃‍♀️

[Beanjo]

Well done cheeky- that sounds a lovely relaxed run 😊. What a difference a year makes- that’s what I keep thinking 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beanjo]

Spot on Beanjo. It’s a great difference though. 🏃‍♀️❤️🏃‍♀️

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky! As you say, casual and 5k would just never have gone together a few months ago. I now think of our 4K runs as being an easy day 🤣 Wish I could run with my dog, but he’s an old man (12) and he can’t go in a straight line! I’m up to 20,000 steps today already and afternoon dog walk about to start.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes me too Sandi. Just popping out for a 4k! What??! I remember W1R1 and being chuffed to bits to have run 8 x 1 minutes! But what a fabulous solid foundation we were given. ❤️

Dogs keep us active too of course. Yours sounds adorable. 🐕❤️🐕

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Sounds just great! And as you said what a difference a year can make! So glad that it has been a really good difference. 😊🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

An amazing difference isn’t it 61? Truly unbelievable what we’ve all learned and achieved. I’m hoping to start collecting bling in 2019! Me and my new Garmin (16 days until I can open it by my calculation! 🎄 🎁)

[Hidden]

Looks like you’re smashing it!! Well done!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Dave. Loving it too! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Lovely post cheeky and how inspiring to hear how running has become part of your life. 😁

I had a very boozy work do on Friday so decided against parkrun. So this afternoon my boyfriend and I decided to combine a beach walk and run. I only moved to Devon a few months ago and really enjoyed running along the promenade at Exmouth, although the wind meant it was easier on the way back!

Happy running next week 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Thanks CH. I sometimes wonder if it’s worth posting especially as today’s run wasn’t any kind of landmark, but I wanted to because I knew all you guys would ‘get it’! It just felt like a good run despite it having every right not to be. 5k used to seem like such a long way, but now it’s second nature. How great is that? 😀

[Hidden]

Good on you Cheeky absolutely deserves a post... just shows how natural a 5K whip around the block has become so routine in your life now, even after a busy night before. Fish finger sarnies too, livin’ the dream 😁⚡️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Aww thanks TS. I knew you guys would understand!

And that fish finger sandwich went down a treat, I can tell you! 🤣

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

Well done CCM, a nice run. I like these kind of bread and butter runs, no distance records or speed records but just a nice run for the sake of it.

Glad the second round of 10k is going well for you, is it easier using the plan? I just popped on another km if I felt like it each Sunday, probably not the best way to do it, especially as last week ended up with two 5.5 kms runs as well, it's probably better to do shorter runs and then one longer!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks SSF, it was a lovely no pressure kind of run. I like those. 👍🏃‍♀️

Yes, for that same reason I am finding my 2nd journey to 10k easier, because I’ve run all these distances before, and having structure helps. Also, as I’m not concerned with speed, I just run and clock the kms up.

I’m going to stick with 10k being my maximum distance, so I’ll no doubt rejoin the Magic 10 plan when I’ve graduated again! Also, I like to run with my dog and I don’t like taking her beyond 7k. Not that she couldn’t run that far - she definitely could - but she doesn’t get the chance to do doggy things like stop and sniff when I have her on the lead. Unless I speed up massively and can run 10k in an hour or less! Hahahahahaha!!!!

[sunshinefish Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I hear you about 10km being your max distance, although my reasons aren't the same as yours! I think 10k is very respectable, and can't contemplate a hm.... don't even know what that is in kms but it must be a big scary number!

I am sure your dog will appreciate having time to do her doggy stuff sometimes too!

It would be interesting to see your times/ease during your next round of magic 10, I suspect it would get easier/quicker each time.