Made a decision and can’t wait to give it a go .... 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks]

I don’t usually run on Wednesdays as I go and visit my elderly mum, but because yesterday was hoolacious and wet I put it off until today.

I was due for a longer run of 7k or more, but with the limited time today I couldn’t do more than 4k, so I popped up to the common with my fabulous trail shoes on. Dog was pleased with this option - lots of fun smells - and she could run free. 🐕

Duly started running and the gremlins thought I was nuts. Blowing a hooley, first run since coming back from hols ..... “stop you fool” they were saying. I slayed the lot of the them and soldiered on, duly completing my 4k uphill, downhill, headwind (cheers Gareth), tailwind (I like Gareth) - the lot. It was fabulous fun (of course!) ❤️

The beauty of the common is that you can mix up the trails as you wish. Incorporate plenty of hills, which all have lovely downhills attached, stay on the flat, gnarly ground, flat ground - the possibilities are endless.

So here’s my plan. Next week I’m going to do my 10k up there. Mix it right up. I’ll go early so avoid as many dog walkers as possible (although it’s easy enough to divert onto an alternative path if needs be.) It means my dog can accompany me off the lead, and I do enjoy her coming along. 😀🐕❤️

I don’t really know why you guys needed to know all this. I guess it’s because I like writing down my ideas, plus I don’t want to let you down, so I’ll feel accountable. 😀

Happy running with Gareth if he’s with you guys! 🏃‍♀️❤️🏃‍♂️

[grumpyoldgirl]

Welcome back to balmy Britain, cheeky! 🌬️🌪️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Hahaha, you’re funny GOG! But thank you! 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Good post from you cheeky, that is a very good plan and route for your 10K next week, by the way, next week after a few more rainy days this week, the weather is to settle down to be nice and sunny. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Good, I hope so! It’ll be beautiful running up there in the sun. ☀️❤️🏃‍♀️

[TailChaser Graduate10]

You’re so good going out in this weather! I’m arguing with myself at the moment as to whether it’s ok enough to run outside or go on the treadmill at the gym...decisions...decisions...

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Run quick to beat the rain!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Yes, go on TC! 😅

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

I’ve decided, categorically, that I’d rather run in any weather than run on the treadmill. It’s the heat ... and the boredom! I only use it if the weather is truly torrential or icy. Today’s was strangely pleasant! Go on TC, give it a whirl! 😀😀

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

In a strangely, totally masochistic fit of nutterdom, I ran for 83 minutes on the treadmill 😱. I will post about it probably so I can share the trauma 🤭. Next time, I’m going out in the wind and rain 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Eighty three minutes???? 😱😱😱😱

TC, here, take these. All of them. 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅

You are made of strong stuff! 💪

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky 🤗😍

[Beanjo]

Good on you cheeky. I had very good intentions for 3 runs this week but afraid I’ve given in to Gareth 🙄 💨

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beanjo]

I was faffing a bit Beanjo, I must admit - but the moment I got out there I was pleased I did! But we didn’t have rain and you might ......

[uncle_wiggy]

Good fun and a great plan.... Cheeky the gremlin slayer 🙅‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to uncle_wiggy]

I told them what for Wigs. They didn’t stand a chance! 😈 🏃‍♀️😈 😅

[Tartancat Graduate10]

You are good Cheeky! Im just waiting for Gareth to bugger off. He's getting his coat on and is halfway out the door. Go Gareth, you've outstayed your welcome!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

He’s leaving us now I think TC - in fact it’s quite a nice afternoon really. Hope he bogs off soon and leaves you in peace! 🤞🏃‍♀️

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky, he's finally got the message. Just a stiff breeze now - funny how it gets stiffer the moment you start to run! Still, job done - you inspired me!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Excellent, and well done! Hope it was a good run TC. 😀😀👊

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Just a 3k as I can't leave new pup alone for too long. Can't wait till we can run together like you and your girl!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

New pup! ❤️❤️❤️ What breed? 😍😍

It’s such fun with a running buddy and especially fun when they can run off the lead. 😀🏃‍♀️🐕❤️

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

He's a boxer. Our last one had bags of energy so this one should love running. But it's going to take a while - I might start him on C25K when the time comes! 🐕

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

Oh my word, you need to post a pic! 😍😍❤️❤️ Boxers are adorable and although I’ve never owned one I know a family who had a puppy who was bags of fun! ❤️❤️

Good idea with C25K. Little stints of running will help him get the idea of what’s going on. 😀🏃‍♀️🐕

[alisonx Graduate10]

Well done cheeky! Great that you have a multi option common to run on - keep it all in the mix Good luck and hope the weather stays dry! Love that you are slaying gremlins to!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to alisonx]

It’s a revelation Alison. I’ve lived here for 12 years and I’ve always walked my dogs up there, but I only began running on it a short time ago. It used to look daunting with all its hills and differing terrain. But now I have trail shoes and have tackled bigger hills, it feels fantastic running there! 👍🏃‍♀️

And yes, those gremlins left with a whimper having tried to get their grimy little claws into me. Not today guys, sorry! 😈😈🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍👍

[Bridget007]

Welcome back! 💨 ☔️ of course we need to know 😃 sounds like a brilliant plan! And your dog will be most happy 🐕 I ran with Gareth this morning and he was not kind with a tail wind so I went into the little forest area and ran 4 of the 5k in there going round and round in a 1/2k circle ... where there’s a will there’s a way 👍🏻🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

That’s the way, Bridget. 👊😀 Us runners do what we’ve gotta do! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Yes, not quite so pleasant here as in sunny Tenerife. I’m trying not to remember how hot I was just a couple of days ago .... oh well! ☀️☀️☀️☀️/💨 💨 💦 💦

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Great that you can still be enthusiastic in this weather ☔☔🌊🌬.

I'm still lurgified, so I am going to wait till Friday to do a short tester I think.

Welcome home 🤗

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

So sorry you’re still not well Jell. ☹️ But you have picked a good week to miss running-wise, looking on the bright side! 👍

I enjoyed today’s run - hope you enjoy yours on Friday. 🤞🏃‍♀️😀

[Wimborne]

How’s the washing going? 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Know what Wimborne, my final load is going through right now! I’m on top of it! 👍😀👊👏

Thanks for your concern! 😅

[Wimborne in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ok I admit I am impressed 😀. Final load too. That’s some impressive determination. But I knew that already of you. Have a fabulous 10k Cheeky.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne! I can’t wait for the 10k - either Monday or Tuesday. 👍😀

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Welcome back Cheeky! We will be cheering you on next week 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks Jonathan, I’m looking forward to a fun 10k. My first and third were 3 circuits of my regular route - nice, but gets a bit samey after 5k. My second 10k was an out and back along a pretty tow path, but not that inspiring knowing I had to retrace my footsteps! I’m not fast, so I need to keep it interesting as I’m out there for quite a while! 😅

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

May the fourth be with you! 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I like what you did there! 😅👍

[Jundal]

Well done, cheekster! Gareth has been a very bad guest so far, I didn't honour today because of him, but I'm going out tomorrow! I'm pioneering a new route, but the problem is, I don't know how long it is so I might have to have some walk breaks... something tells me it's further than 6k...

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jundal]

Thanks Jundal! 😀 I agree, good riddance to Gareth. 💨💨💨 I think we lucked out a bit in the SW though - but still he was plenty windy enough for me. 🙄

How exciting, not knowing how far you’ll be running on your new route. I hope you’ll report back! Enjoy it. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️😀

[EmmaRunning Graduate10]

Good plan! The accountability thing works for me too - so Im giving myself the weekend off and starting again next week

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to EmmaRunning]

We’ll hold you to it Emma! 👍😀🏃‍♀️

Not a bad plan giving this weekend a miss though ..... 💦💦💨💨💦💦💨💨 I’ll be doing parkrun on Saturday and hoping more than anything that there’s no headwind up the hill. Otherwise I’ll be rooted to the spot! 🏃‍♀️🐌💨🏃‍♀️🐌💨😅

[EmmaRunning Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Good luck at Parkrun I hope Storm Gareth gets behind you rather than in front!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to EmmaRunning]

If he’s in my face I’ll simply be leaning forward and moving nowhere on the hills! 🤣💨🐌🏃‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Glad to have you back on the island CC, raring to go with a cunning plan for your next 10k. The terrain sound lovely. I would love to take our dog with me, but I know that there are too many distractions (people wanting to give her a stroke!) .... she is a total floozey and would go off with anyone for a cuddle and a dog biscuit! ...if it were chocolate brownie I would understand! It is really blowy up here this morning...could be the back end of Gareth(!!!) but I am determined to fit in my 5.5k today so that I can tell the physio that I have done my homework. Calves feel ok, touch wood, I just hope yesterday's fin session in the swimming baths hasn't undone the good work. Only one way to find out!Do what you did and get out there 😊😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hi BC, thanks - it’s great to be back (said no-one ever! 😅😅💦💦💨💨)

Yes, get on out there! It’s strangely exhilarating, although I have to say it’s windier here today than yesterday - and apparently this isn’t even Gareth. I think we’re due for some nice benign spring weather now. Please ...... !

Enjoy your run! 👍😀👊💨💦

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Of course we want to know. It's a learning curve for all of us so we want to know how others keep at it and succeed. Helps us plan our success, but also goads us on. If you can do it then I can do it. If I can do it then you can do it. I wouldn't have made this journey without you lot. I can't tell you how bored my non-running friends are with my new running obsession, although I think they find the Lycra amusing 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Ahhh thanks Baddie - it’s just that I always seem to be posting and others don’t! I’m glad I’m not boring the pants off all of you! 😅😅

You’re right though, VRBs have motivated me to try more on many occasion, and my non-running friends simply glaze over when I start on about what I’ve achieved/hope to achieve! 💤💤💤💤😅😅😅😅

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

So I had NO intention of running today in this howling gale, but following your post, and Flick mentioning she had FUN running in the windy weather off I went. I only had to do a 2km warm up and then 4 or 5 intervals up my chosen steep bit of hill. All over in 40 mins and showered and back on track. The weather wasn't even that bad once I got out there, I didn't get wet, I didn't get cold, I just got pink and fitter! Thank you for your post 😁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Fantastic Baddie! I’m so glad my post was helpful (I often wonder if I waffle on too frequently or for too long!)

I think we just need to get out and give it a go as long as it’s safe to do so. Basically any weather except totally torrential rain or ice - whatever it takes to avoid the treadmill! 😅

Well done on your run. 👏👏👏

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Sounds like a great plan Cheeky. Much better to go for a memorable 10k than grinding out your usual route. Look forward to hearing all about it 🏃‍♀️😃 Inspired by you, I battled the wind today (although nice sunshine) to do 8k, acutely aware it’s only just over 3 weeks to my 10k race. Felt as though I wasn’t actually moving forward at one point 😫 Roll on Spring 🌱🌷

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Oh well done Sandie! 👏👏👏 I’m happy I inspired you and others to give it a go! I was pleasantly surprised what fun it was and now I can’t wait for my 10k next week. Maybe a tad less wind would be nice! 😀

Parkrun looks very windy here tomorrow. Me, a headwind and our hill will bring out my herd of snails I fear! 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

The weather’s looking both wet and windy for parkrun here, so looks like I’ll have to break out the waterproof jacket!