Run one oh one

[Tartancat]

Today I did my 101st run since starting C25K back in April.

And today was also the final run of the Jeff Galloway training plan I've been following for the last 3 months. The culmination of 3 months of intervals, hill training, more intervals, sprints, and yet more intervals, designed to improve my pace over 5k.

So, did it work? Hell yes! Today I did my first sub 35 minute 5k! Now to a lot of you that won't sound like much of an achievement, but it's knocked over 4 minutes off my previous best, so I'm a happy bunny today 🐇

I've got to admit though, I don't think speed is my thing. It's lovely to get PBs, but I like to run just because I like to run. I don't do parkrun because I work Saturday mornings, I'm not sure I want to enter races (though Irish-John said something recently that might make me change my mind about that), so speed is not an issue for me.

You can't beat exploring new routes, getting lost and getting muddy. It's pointless trying to achieve PBs for speed whilst picking your way through fields of cowpats, or looking for a way to cross a brook that didn't appear on the map (probably because I took a wrong turn and am lost .... again!)

So, muddy tracks and slippery slopes, I'm coming back to you! Snails, 🐌🐌 you've had a break but now it's time to get back to work - in your own time of course!

It's time to get back to the runs I love!

[Flyingred Graduate10]

Well done on your progress. It's great to hear the Jeff Galloway plans work. I have his 5k/10k running book but apart from trying his run/walk idea, I haven't tried following his plans. Like you, I enjoy my running and it's a way of relaxing (while getting fitter) so I don't want to add in anything stressful like timed competitions.

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Flyingred]

That's exactly how I feel. I was starting to lose the joy - now I've got it back again!

[grumpyoldgirl]

101 runs, that is worthy of celebration! I totally agree about speed, it's nice to get a pb, but I'm happy to be fit enough to run, and delighted that I enjoy it. I just want to continue running and loving it. Oh, and I think I saw a few snails in those snowdrops 🐌🌱 watch your step! (Lovely photo by the way 😊)

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

And that's why I run, so I can see sights like that and have time to appreciate them. The snowdrops are saying spring is on its way!

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Tartancat]

Hear hear, they're beautiful.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Lovely photo of the snow drops, snowdrops not snow, the next few days in the UK are going to be spring like, temperatures up to about 15/16C/60F in old money.

You are very precise in remembering how many runs you have ran Tartancat, that's 101 runs, not 101/5Ks, nevertheless who knows, soon you might be able to say that you have ran 101 5Ks., perhaps at a Parkrun. 😊 🏃

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Wow, I've not kept track of my 5k runs - that might take some working out!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

101 runs is amazing Tartancat. Even more amazing is that you know exactly how many runs you have done. I had a few false starts with a cycle fall and a ski holiday last year so I haven’t a clue. I know when I graduated though so will celebrate that.

It doesn’t matter how fast you run, enjoying it is so much more important. 🏃‍♀️🐌

A lovely photo of the beautiful snowdrops

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. A few people have posted recently that they'd completed 100 runs, so I thought I'd see how many I had done. I would have posted on my 100th run, but it was utterly unremarkable, so I saved my post for today!

[Irish-John Graduate10]

Well done on your "One O One"!

Up to now, that number has been pretty negative for me (despite it being a "Positive" LOL ) as it was the Post designation of my very last 'Formal" Command

Anytime I see that on a building now though, I will be associating it with "the fun of a run" rather than "will someone please put me out of my misery?" 😁👍😊

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

When I try to run fast at the moment, I wish someone would put me out of my misery!

Who knows though, I may get faster in time, but I won't be disappointed if I don't 🐌

[Irish-John Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

That's the C25k and beyond spirit!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 101 TC, that’s some achievement! 👏👏 You realise I’m going to toddle off now and trawl through MMR to see if I can work out how many I’ve done! 🤓😅

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That's exactly what I did, but some were on my fitbit, some on my Garmin. It took ages, so make sure you have a large glass of wine to hand! 🥂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Omg what are the odds? It looks like my 3rd 10k on Monday was actually my 100th run! How crazy is that? 😲😀👏🏃‍♀️

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Double celebration for you Cheeky - 10k on your 100th run! That's freaky!

And I wonder, does that mean you'll be doing 20k on your 200th run? 🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Hahahaha, absolutely not! 🤣🤣🤣

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Lovely photo Tartancat and I love your attitude to running. Easy to get distracted by speed etc. You’ve captured perfectly the joy running brings. 🐌🐌 unite!

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi. I've always appreciated snails, but now I REALLY appreciate snails!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Well done on your one0one TC and your PB. I should tot up my runs since starting last May - must be getting near that!

Yes in the end we have to run for the reasons that are important to us. 😀

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks. I think I may have started a trend here, I have a vision of all us C25Kers poring over our records, counting our runs!

Happy counting!

[Wimborne]

Wow. 101 runs... it’s amazing how they build up. And fabulous time. That plan has clearly worked brilliantly for you. 😀🏃🏼‍♀️💨

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimbourne 😊

It still amazes me that my times are quicker when I run/walk/run, than when I run continuously. I did run continuously today, because I'm still brainwashed by C25K into feeling that walking breaks are cheating. But next week I'm going to Jeff 5k and see what happens. Could be interesting!

[Wimborne in reply to Tartancat]

Oh I think that too 😊. A few little walkettes increases my time overall.... but I am with you as it just feels wrong.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Congratulations on run 101! I now feel that I shall have to have a count up of my runs! Not quite sure whether I have consecutive records.

I have no desire for races either, so I am intrigued to know what Irishjohn said that made you think otherwise.

I also love to be out running among beautiful scenery. I prefer not to slip, but have done plenty of picking my way through various uneven terrains. Not the place for striding out for PBs.

I hope that you find many runs to love as the days and months unfold. 🌳🏃🏻‍♀️🌸🏃🏻‍♀️🏞

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks Over61.

Irish-john and I agreed that taking up running had made us braver - he said it's good to come out of our comfort zone sometimes. Entering a race would certainly do that!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you for your reply. I certainly agree that coming out of our comfort zone is good. I definitely feel entering my first parkrun was totally different to anything I had been used to doing. I plan to run our village' fun run' (code for race?) during carnival week, but no inclination to enter a proper race for the time being. About 4 parkruns a year, I think will suit me, and I would like to volunteer too. Happy enjoyable running to you! 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[ktsok]

No Room 101 for you! Snowdrops and Spring in the air rather than rats! (Orwell’s 1984 for anyone who doesn’t get the reference!)

Well done Tcat. I think running because you like to run is perhaps the simplest and best rationale going. I too run routes where I dodge cow pats, tiptoe over cattle grids and have to scale gates. With a bit of sun on your face at a slow pace it can be magical.

At the other end of the scale, a PB can also feel wonderful, as you know! (Well done again!) Whether it’s distance, or time...

So much to enjoy 🙂

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to ktsok]

Exactly! And when you're out in the fields and woods there is no Big Brother watching over you!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

You have done it now!! Everybody will be counting their runs: I know that I will! You will be tested on how many star balances you have done later. 100 runs; great milestone. 😊😊

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Ok, I have just counted up and I am up to 98! Thanks TC ...I can plan a celebration 100th run....maybe 2 pieces of chocolate brownie instead of the usual one! I know how to celebrate😋

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Push the boat out - have a mug of hot chocolate too!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Temptress!!😂

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

If you need help eating chocolate brownies...

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Surely no-one needs help eating chocolate brownies!

Have you done your 100th run yet Beachcomber66 ?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

I did the run but no celebration!!!! Came home nursing a sore calf☹️. Managed the 3k alright but calf needed ice. Feels ok now, so maybe it is nothing. Maybe I should comfort eat brownies tomorrow!!🍩🍪🌰🍮🍦🥮🧁🍧🍨🎂🍻🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Definitely!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

You will be first on my list should I ever decide to share one BTP...but see below. No brownies were consumed in the making of this record☹️☹️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I might have to count my runs and see if I deserve brownies yet...

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

Like you Tartancat I’m not into speed, as long as I enjoy running and get round a course I’m happy. I do enter races though, not to win but to collect the bling, I love it. Happy running.

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Races, yes, well, maybe one day (do you sense a bit of hesitation there?)

But who knows? And if I do it'll be down to all you lovely people spurring me on!

[Katnap Graduate10]

I love it when a plan comes together! Well done Tartancat!

😸 Katnap 😸

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap 😊

It was worth trying to go faster just to make me appreciate how much I like going slow! And now maybe I have a choice of pace.

It's all good!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Congratulations on that Brilliant PB, Tartancat, really pleased that Galloway training paid off😊. That time is amazing, I would love to be able to acheive that, but like you, I do prefer to just run at my comfortable pace and enjoy the outdoors.

I might take a look at Jeff Galloway's plan though😉

Happy 102nd run....and onwards !😊xxx

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

You can achieve it if you want to - look at what you've achieved already! But it's lovely to be happy with what we've got, and I'm happy to go slower, and enjoy the outdoors like you 😊

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Wow! Your training plan sounds interesting. I love my exploring runs and finding out where trails go. My knowledge of local geography is getting better. I love PBs too though 👍

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I like PBs too, but I think my next few will be for distance rather than speed - now the fields have dried out a bit I can get exploring again!