OMG I did it!-repot from Birmingham 10k

[CandyCool]

Sorry for the long post

I cannot believe I am posting this but I’m a 10k graduate! Today I ran the Birmingham Simply Health 10k.

I started my running journey in my 60th year. I did C25K at my local park and then did a Hospice Santa dash and last April a 5 k Resolution run. Then I sort of stopped, lost motivation and enthusiasm really.

But in a moment of absolute madness I applied for the London Marathon (yes I know!!) imagine my terror when I got a place! Luckily you can defer it for a year, so in 2020 on my 63rd Birthday I’m running 26 miles 😬

So today’s race. I was nervous (thank you for all the supportive messages) but #teamUoB were very friendly. Although the majority were at least half my age if not a lot younger. I set off far too fast (despite trying hard not too) I got to 2k with the 50 minute pacer. Luckily I then slowed into my own rhythm. The underpasses were very steep up and down, it was slightly disconcerting to see the elites at 8k when I was at 3k, I forgot my drink and was very dry by the time the water station arrived at 6k. Luckily I met a lovely girl at 6k who is a swimming coach at UoB and not really a runner (about 3 weeks training!) and we challenged each other to the next set of traffic lights, the next flag...

I set myself 90 mins, with the hope of 80 as I did about 8.33/k in my training. I got 1.14.14 at 7.34/k oh the power of running mates and the crowd.

Key points...try not to set off too fast...remember a drink...and believe in yourself. If I can do it anyone can.

Much love from a 10k Graduate

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Fantastic fantastic achievement CC! How amazing did that feel? I’m so pleased for you - your report is brimming with happiness. I hope you have an awesome celebration planned for this evening. You’ve deserved it 100%! 🎉💪👊🏅🏃‍♀️👊

Hey, one thing though, where’s the bling photo?! 🏅🏅🏅🏅

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Really tried to upload a photo but it just keeps throwing me out of the website. This was my third attempt at a long post! Ended up writing in notes and copying and pasting!! Will try again x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations CandyCool on completing the Birmingham 10K in a even better time that you had set yourself, as you say 'the power of running mates and the crowd' can make you go faster than if you were running alone. Go celebrate now and by the way if you want to see the words 'GRADUATE10' next to your username leave a message on the May graduate10 post on the healthunlocked graduate10🎓 homepage and tell the administrators that you have ran a 10K, once again congratulations. 😊 🏃 🎓

Good luck for your training for the LM on your 63rd birthday. 😊

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Will do thank you x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to CandyCool]

It's there now, you are now OFFICIALLY a graduate10 RUNNER, congratulations.

[Hidden]

Outstanding Candy, congratulations. What a fantastic way to run your first 10k. Did you actually get a place in the London marathon on your first attempt!? 😆That's amazing! I don't know if that's lucky or unlucky... Well It's definitely motivated you! I didn't know you could defer it for a year... I've applied for it! 😬😄.

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know thought I’d read the letter wrong when it arrived. Didn’t tell my husband for a week!! Hope you are successful xx

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Fantastic CC and amazing to be signed up for the

London Marathon too. I am definitely not that brave!

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Brave or foolhardy. Only time will tell!! 😬😬

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to CandyCool]

On the positive side you know you can do 25% of the distance...

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

😂🤣😂🤣👍🏻

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Congratulations Candy, Our stories are very similar. Ran at 60, Santa Dash, and I did the Bristol 10K in 1hr 14 mins too. I wont be doing the Marathon though. 😂🤣😂🤣

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Well I think you should!!! Although it’s still just a little bit of a dream (nightmare)! X

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Well done on your first 10k CandyCool! Very brave to do it in a race - revel in your achievement !🎉😀

[Snailspeed Graduate10]

Wow you are amazing! What an inspiring post!

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Snailspeed]

Oh! Thank you so much. Don’t feel inspirational but do feel very chuffed x

[Teresa1632 Graduate10]

Brilliant and inspiring! I'm a 62 year old, and finished a C25K last July. I've been challenged to run a 10k at the end of June (gulp).

So I'm delighted at your achievement, it's so motivating. Not sure I could manage your speeds, but itll be good to finish. Well done! 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to Teresa1632]

I really didn’t expect to finish like that. And I did walk in places especially coming up out of underpasses, they never seem steep in a car! Just really enjoy it, the buzz afterwards is just so fabulous x

[grumpyoldgirl]

That's cheered me right up! Fabulous post CC, what an achievement. Sounds like running the 10k was less stressful than trying to post about it 😰 Wishing you success in your Marathon training.

[CandyCool Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

It was!!! 🤣🤪

[Pastos]

Great performance. Good on you.

I have not achieved what you did yet.

Like you, I enter the ballot for the London marathon 2020. Never run a marathon in my life. I am on W5R1 at the moment on C25K. 26.2 miles run is a long way and pretty scary too.

Keep the good work

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Well done! What an achievement! Bask in your amazingness and start on that marathon training plan - when you've had a day off, obviously!!

[Raspberrypink Graduate10]

What a fab achievement. Well done !