So Proud. 🏃‍♀️💪🐕❤️

[cheekychipmunks]

I survived Ashton Court parkrun - 2.5k up, 2.5k down “with steep bits ... where there’s no shame in walking”. I was super nervous and had no idea how I’d fare. It’s rated 495 out of 519 parkruns in elevation! 😳

But I didn’t walk once, I didn’t even feel like I needed to! I overtook people on the hill, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy I found it. Proud isn’t the word. 😀 My regular parkrun (Eastville Park) had prepared me more than I realised with its hills. My time is going to be very similar too I think. I had visions of it being my slowest 5k ever.

I had my MMR splits set at 0.10k so I’d get regular updates to tick off. I had a couple of landmarks to reach (the cottage, the stony path) and they came up way quicker than I thought they would. And then we turned and ran down which was amazing! 👍🏃‍♀️

My friend (gazelle) cheered me in (and my running buddy obviously! 🐕), then we had mince pies and a cuppa. I’m buzzing! 😀

I absolutely cannot wait for New Years Day - bring on that double. I’ve got this! 💪💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🐕🐕

Merry Christmas everybody! 🏃‍♀️🎄🏃🎄🐕

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Fabulous Cheeky! Congratulations! 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thanks Equi! It was amazing. ❤️

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

Yay! Go CCM. All those runs have stood you in good stead for this one. Huge well done on not walking and doing a great run even though it had the dreaded h word!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks SSF. I can almost say I enjoy hills now! The feeling of accomplishment is fabulous. 😀

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Well done! It’s such a high when they go better than expected especially when they have that kind of elevation 😮

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Absolutely Brian. It really was unexpected, which made it so much more enjoyable. 🏃‍♀️👍

[Empem Graduate10]

Wow ! Massive respect and enjoying your Joy!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Thanks Empem, I’m still grinning! 😀😀

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Well done, that sounds like hard work! Merry Christmas to you 🎄

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP. Hard work, but so rewarding. 🏃‍♀️💪

Merry Christmas to you too! 🎄

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Fabulous! You star!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Aww thanks Linda. Hope you have a fabulous Christmas! 😀🏃‍♀️🎄

[Runsome Graduate10]

Excellent you smashed it brilliant run. Just goes to show you are better than you give yourself credit for. Fantastic you should be proud as punch. Well done ⛰🏃‍♀️😀👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Runsome. Isn’t it fabulous how fitness increases by degrees? No way could I have made it up that hill a couple of months ago. 😀

[jayval70 Graduate10]

Well done cheeky. So happy for you 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to jayval70]

Thanks so much jayval! I’m still glowing with pride now, 3 hours later! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Oggy2401 Graduate10]

Congrats Cheeky. Good running up that hill. I did my local parkrun today, the only hill being the footbridge I had to cross twice over the river Tees. But did a new PB. Merry Christmas x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oggy2401]

Haha thanks Oggy! All hills are relative - I looked at the parkruns ranked harder than Ashton Court ..... 😳

[Tartancat Graduate10]

You smashed it Cheeky- there's no stopping you now!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Haha yes TC, I think I’m a little bit addicted! 😅🏃‍♀️

[Beanjo]

Well done cheeky. Never doubted you 😊👍

Have a great Christmas 🌲💕

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beanjo]

Awww shucks Beanjo, I was nervous because I knew I had to do it. I’m stubborn as a mule and there’s no way I’d have let myself walk, so the pressure was on! 🏃‍♀️😅

[Becky1606 Graduate10]

Fabulous!!! I’m still scared of hills - sticking with my treadmill in winter and my (relatively flat) Park run for now 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Becky1606]

Well Becky, judging by my runs this week, including 4k on the treadmill on Tuesday, today’s hill was easier than that! So kudos to you! 🏃‍♀️💪😀

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky, I can see how you were so intimidated by it. I’ve found that the hills aren’t as bad as I think they’re going to be and maybe that is because we look at them with a pre-fitness head. When you run them your fitter self gets up them because you’ve got both stronger legs and lungs than you realise.

Congrats and happy Christmas 🎄 🤶🏻😊xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

You’re spot on TC. Not a chance in a million years I’d have run that hill even a month ago. It’s why running is so awesome, it keeps on giving! 😀👍

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Brilliant! Your a star! ⭐️🎅🏻🎄🐕

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks so much 61! Can’t wait to go back there now! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Nice! Well done cheeky! Feels great to do even better than expected. Sounds like a challenging PR.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask! I was seriously doubting my ability to run the whole thing (loads were walking), but I felt strong the whole way up. It felt amazing, even quite emotional when I made the turn at the top! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Whoohoo! That's so awesome. It's amazing how emotional some runs can be.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Fabulous run Cheeky! I never had any doubt that you would smash it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏💥💥 Have a wonderful Christmas

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thank you Sandie! I was really nervous all day yesterday and even watched a YouTube video of someone running it (how sad is that, me doing homework before a parkrun! 😅😅)

It was such fun though and I can’t wait to run it again. 🏃‍♀️

Have a fabulous Christmas, and here’s to a happy 2019 full of great runs! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Fantastic Cheeky! I have to admit, after avoiding hills like the plague during c25k, I now quite like them, in a masochistic sort of way!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Isn’t it funny how that happens Jonathan?! I’m really looking forward to doing it again. New Years Day I’m doing them both, both hilly! What have I become? 😅😅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Enjoy your hills in 2019! 👍🏃

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes who'd a thunk it?! And a happy running 2019 to you🏃‍♀️😀

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky, you are doing do well.

Have a great Christmas, I hope you get all you want 🎄🎁🎁🎅

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Thanks Jell, I really enjoyed that run. 😀

Happy Christmas to you too. I happen to know I have a Garmin waiting for me! I haven’t looked forward to a present so much in years! 🎁 ❤️🎄😀

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Brilliant. I may have to try Lyme Park again.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay. I’m guessing Lyme Park is a hilly one then? Go for it! 🏃💪

Happy Christmas to you and here’s to a fab run-filled 2019! 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Crikey, just looked - number 513! Whoa. 💪

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yup. My parkrun cherry, and only attempt to date.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

I went to Lyme Park in summer for the first time, not to run mind you, but we did walk the dog along part of the 10k route. Stunning views across to Manchester but I would not want to run up those hills 😫

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

The local running group have nagged me into doing it again next Saturday 😱

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Fantastic Jay. Will look forward to hearing how it goes! Bet you’ll find it a whole lot easier this time round. 🏃👍🤞😀

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Brave 👏😮

[Hidden]

I’ve spent plenty of time up there... sat on my bum watching the festival... definitely no running involved! Well done cheeky it sounds like you and your loyal friend did a great job!!!

👏👏👏👏👏

Merry Christmas to you too 🎄

....3 sleeps til Garmin 😁⚡️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ahh yes, the Ashton Court Festival, the Balloon Fiesta, all sorts of fun stuff! I too would never have dreamed of running up those hills back in the day!

I KNOW - 3 sleeps! 😍😍😍

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Brilliant cheekychipmunks! One of my running club coaches was there this morning as well - looks like a very tough course! x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Thanks PT. Yes, definitely tough but strangely enjoyable, and I can’t wait to run it again. Can’t believe I’m saying that! 🏃‍♀️

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Brilliant cheeky, well done and fantastic running with those hills 😁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Loved it,CH! Looking forward to New Years Day now, not dreading it! 👍🏃‍♀️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Well done!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💪

[hudsondoglets]

Fantastic. That’s a great achievement 🏃‍♀️💪🏻

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to hudsondoglets]

Thanks HD. I can feel my quads today, that’s for sure! 🏃‍♀️👍💪

[Oldlady57]

Fab cheeky!! Merry Christmas 🎄

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady57]

Thank you Oldlady! I’m still buzzing. 😀

Merry Christmas to you too! 🎄😀

[Hidden]

Love this cheeky! 🙌 You are a true inspiration! Huge well done!🎉🤩

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Dreams! I’m looking forward to New Years Day when I get to do it again, followed by my regular one at 10.30! Bonkers!

Merry Christmas to you! 🎄🎄

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Eeks... Slightly bonkers!... but in the best possible way! 🤩🤩🤩

You’ll be amazing as always, I’m sure! Looking forward to hearing about it already! 🙌👌

Merry Christmas to you too! Hope you have a wonderful time! 🎄❤️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Well done cheekychipmunks , I can tell you’re chuffed to bits...and so you should be 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Brilliant!

Happy Christmas...and here’s to your New Year’s Day run 🥂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks MC! I can’t wait to tackle it again!

They were talking about parkrun on the radio just now and I’m wishing I could be out there this morning.

Have a wonderful Christmas and here’s to a happy 2019 full of fabulous runs! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🎄🎄🎉🎉

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Here here my friend xx