Morning VRBs! What a lovely day for a run (💦💨💦💨💦💨💦) Long post alert - what’s new there? 💤
One year ago on this very day, I tentatively donned a pair of inappropriate trainers, a pair of yoga tights and yoga top, a 20 year old sports bra, headed out with Michael Johnson in my ears and ran for a whole minute. I was ecstatic whilst walking to catch my breath before repeating several times. I almost cried with pride and happiness when he said the workout was done and suggested having a bite of banana. I thanked him out loud (yep, quite loud) and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. I’d started. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
I was instantly hooked on the ability to run and didn’t miss a beat throughout C25K. I suffered a bit with plantar fasciitis (those trainers!), but changed them for a slightly more appropriate pair and soldiered on, even doing W7 and W8 in Bavaria and the rest in the heatwave here last summer. Whoa that was 🥵 🥵
I’d posted on here a fair amount and was recognising familiar names replying to my posts. We spurred each other on and I graduated in August. 🏅
Next came 5k, always slow and steady 🐌, then Parkrun became a staple of my Saturdays. I gradually got a little quicker, although I’ve only run sub 35 minutes once. But I don’t care. I love running at my pace. 🏃♀️❤️
Next came 10k, flying solo by increasing my long run each week. I ran my first one in November, again snail-like (1hr 25m or so), but again that was fine. I jumped on board the next Magic 10 and ran my 2nd 10k on Boxing Day (1hr 20ish). I repeated the Magic 10 several more times and did my first timed 10k race in May in my home city, Bristol. Dexy5 and UpTheStanley were there too! It was fantastic! 🏃🏃♀️🏃♀️🏅🏅🏅
And so to today. I’ve been upping my mileage gradually and today ran 10 miles - slightly more at 16.5k actually, just to be sure! It was raining, it was windy, I was soaked through within a minute. My trusty jelly babies were literally like slimy slugs and my trail shoes are a sorry state! It was EPIC! I did it! 🏃♀️👍👏💪😀🎉✅
Anybody wavering - check me out. A 5’3”, 55 year old woman, favourite pace 🐌. But I can run TEN MILES. 👏👏👏
I want to thank everyone on here, virtual and increasing actual real life, running buddies. This forum got me here. Without the advice, humour, mindless banter (sorry, often me 🙄) and camaraderie, I’m not sure I’d have got this far. You are all wonderful, fantastic runners! ❤️🏃♀️🏃❤️
Thanks for reading my stupidly long posts. I hope they are somewhat helpful, or at least entertaining - think of me breaking my toe doing yoga. Seriously? 🤦♀️
Next up HM training! Good grief! 😅😅😅
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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Oh my. I am literally laughing out loud. I'm not a runner! I've read all the articles but my head simply refuses to believe I'm there yet 🤣. I am going to keep my gp referral form forever though ... it starts ' Linda is a keen runner ....' Love it, simply love it, but don't quite believe it 😀
Aw I am so thrilled for you. Happy, happy runniversary! And you said you weren’t going to go beyond 10k and here you are with 10 miles in the bag. Don’t forget to upgrade your badge 🏅🏅🏅 I am proud to be one of your real life VRBs. Have a fabulous time in Brittany and see you in Leamington 😃😃😃
Thanks Sandie, you bet you’re one of the real life running buddies! Can’t wait until Leamington! I need to find some pleasant runs in Brittany. Running kit first on the list of things to pack! And as for not going beyond 10k - well I guess running has made a liar of me too! 🤥 🏃♀️😅
I love reading your posts Cheeky, they make me want to go out for a run RIGHT NOW! Congratulations on your epic running journey. Long may it continue! 🏃♀️🎉🎆✨
Ahhh thank you clubberlang! I was so excited and didn’t sleep very well last night! Awoke to wind and rain and thought - and .........? and went out. It was fantastic! Love running! ❤️❤️
Good grief indeed! Well done Cheeky, that is EPIC. (I think that is about the length of the Middlewood Way which is on my wish list). And in the weather as well, Respect! 🏃🏼♀️👍👏🏅😀💦🌧🥂
Thanks Baddie! I think any other day I might have postponed the run, but I had my heart set on running 10 miles on my runniversary - so that was that! Thanks for all your support along the way! 🏃♀️🏃♀️👍
Are you sure they were jelly babies... just saying. I think your posts are quite short compared to mine so no need to apologise, I enjoy reading them.
An impressive achievement, 10 miles! That is far isn't it, wow. I love the pic of you soaked through but still absolutely ecstatic, it's the best! Well done you!!
Hahaha thanks CP2! They literally could have been slugs (not that I’ve ever eaten one!). A full on slime layer with a firm centre. 😳 Quite disconcerting! 😅
I’m a wordy person (when I talk too), so I find it impossible to be concise like some people. Glad you understand! 😀
I was thinking of you this morning, and came on here (whilst on lunch break ) to see if you had done it... and of course you have, I had no doubt about it at all. CONGRATS
Thanks so much Deals! There’ll definitely be some celebratory food item to be scoffed. I’m ravenous! I’ve also had a few more dry jelly babies. Makes a change from slime covered! 😅😅
You have been one of my long standing VRBs. It’s been great reading about your accomplishments too. Aren’t we clever? 🏃♀️🏃♀️👍👍👏👏
Thank you Sask! I simply had to commemorate my runniversary with a special run, and the timing was just right! It was definitely trail shoes today - loads of puddle sloshing to be had! 😅🏃♀️💦💨
You are always entertaining cheeky...lovely for other people too when their going gets tough! So well done on your 10 miles... you certainly deserve to wear that grin! Have a happy rest of the day :)x
Thanks CCM! I’ve read loads of inspirational posts which have helped me along the way, so I like to pay it forward and hopefully send some inspiration to others! A fantastic forum! 👍😀❤️🏃♀️🏃
Yee Hah!!! Congratulations Cheeky- I just knew you’d do it running buddy. Your heart rate is so low too, so you obviously got the pace spot on. I am so happy for you. I have loved sharing this journey with you. It’s a brilliant achievement and you deserve champagne tonight 🍾🥂
Yay, thanks Dexy! A glass or 2 of bubbly is just what my legs need! 🥂 My heart rate has always been low and trotting along for hours keeps it that way. It’s always my legs that tire first, but thankfully they’re taking 12k+ to really slow down nowadays - it used to be 6k when I was doing the Magic 10!
Yes, sharing our journeys on here and in real life is awesome! Happy running to you! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Brilliant Lavender, you’ll go far then. Snails have helped me all the way this year, no matter what distance I’m going for. I’m gradually shedding them for 5k and 10k, but they come back to join me when I attempt a new long distance. ❤️🐌❤️
Good god well done Cheeky! 10 miles is an amazing achievement! Bravo! 👏👏😁 And a very happy runniversary to you too. 😘 You are going to smash the HM training! xx
Thanks GoGo! I’m not sure flying is an accurate description of my speed, but I guess snails can fly a little sometimes! It was a lot of fun, and yes, HM distance is ‘only a parkrun extra’, so it’s my next goal. 😀😀
Thank you BBR, yes I was one of only a handful on the towpath this morning. I wonder why? 🤔 💦💨😅 The soggy jelly babies were ....... interesting to eat! 😳
Thanks NQR, yes if you’d have told me I’d be running 10 miles comfortably (or at all) one year ago, I’d have thought you were bonkers! Running is amazing! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
It’s fabulous cheekychipmunks! I started C25K at the end of February! Graduated 20th April and started parkrun of 21st April! But I’m trying now to get to 10K and your post has given me that bit of extra push! 🥰thankyou xx
Absolutely terrific. You’ve had a tremendous journey. 10 miles that’s totally significant. As a fellow 5’3” (tbh 5’2”!) 55yr old female of snail pace I completely applaud 👏 your fantastic achievement. Hugest of congratulations to you. 👏👏🏃♀️ Now for the HM !
That’s so kind to say, thanks Alison! I simply love running, and I love sharing my experiences with you guys. My family get rather bored of me jabbering on about it, although they’re very proud of me! 😀
Wow just wow cheekychipmunks , really well done, your journey is really inspirational. No drama, you just get on with it and smash it every time. Love the pic collage too, you look really chuffed! Don't forget to go to the pinned post for badges and claim your 10 mile badge, because apparently that's a thing now
Wow you have achieved so much in a year and to the day - how can you be so epic !? Totally in awe of you! There’s me being proud of running 6km today and I’ve been running since Jan 18! 😂 But still I can relate to you on the pace - my happy pace is slow 😁 Big congratulations 🙌🙌
Ahh CatMo, my secret is just that - my pace. It’s the epitome of slow and steady and only my legs tire towards the end of longer runs. My puff is fine! That’s the way I run and it’s giving me the ability to run further than I ever imagined. 😀😀 Go snails! 🐌🐌🐌
Fab, you know you’ve been a massive inspiration to me. You’re such a strong runner, physically and mentally. I’ve always loved following your progress too. Thanks so much - without VRBs like you, I certainly wouldn’t have achieved so much. ❤️
You Absolutely Smashed it!!!! 👏👏👏👏🥳🥳🥳🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️. Fantastic run Cheeky and what a fabulous way to celebrate a whole year of running you. Just inspirational. Super chuffed for you. You are rightly glowing. Happy Happy Runniversary. 💕👌
I am still most definitely glowing Wimborne! And I now know I have a HM in me somewhere! My next massive goal. It’s totally unbelievable, and all you VRBs and real buddies (of which you are one, of course) have helped me all the way! ❤️
Fantastic! 🎉👏🏼🎉 You have been part of my inspiration since I started C25k in January 2019. Never realised you were only half a year ahead of me. What an achiever you are. Can’t wait for the next episode...! Thank you and happy running. 👍😄💕
Aww that’s great to hear Granspeed, I like to share my enthusiasm, sometimes a little too much! But if I can inspire people along the way, well that’s great! 👏👏 Good luck to you too! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Well! How wonderful is that?! Many congratulations cheekychipmunks!!! 🍾🥂🏅🏃♀️🤸♂️🏃♀️🤸♂️🏃♀️🤸♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊 My! What a superb way to celebrate your runniversary! Fantastic! Your enjoyment seems to bubble out of my computer screen! Well done to you!
Thank you over61! The weather was grim, but there was no way I was going to postpone to a different far. It’s not every day we get a runniversary! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
How absolutely wonderful!! Congratulations, you are fantastic Wonderful post which made me smile, love all the little pictures and love the photos too - you look so happy - and rather wet
I agree this forum and all the VRB's are really great, so supportive and inspirational. You have inspired me......I have managed 10 miles once (a trail run which was so slow it was more like walking at times!) but want to work up to doing another. roseabi is going to be posting soon about a HM plan which is very tempting!
Well done, totally brilliant. I hope to be joining you in the 10 mile brigade by the end of June. 🐌 like us rock! The run sounds epic just like you said. You should be proud of yourself. bask in that glory, dry your shoes, running gear and hair and get ready for the next adventure.
Oh and get yourself a new supply of EJBs (I imagine slugs to be salty, but that may just be in my head!)
Good luck with the half training. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏆 🥇 🎉 🧁 🍷
Thanks Katie! Can’t wait for your 10 mile post too. It feels like such a landmark, plus it’s ‘only’ a parkrun away from HM! How exciting is that! 😀😀😀
I’m happy I knew that the jelly babies had been placed in my pocket by me. If I’d have reached in and found the slimy substance without knowing. I’d have freaked out! 😅😅
Massive congrats, CC!! What a brilliant read to start my day .... just catching up with this forum over breakfast.Your post is inspirational and oozes enthusiasm and excitement!!
I’m happy to share my enthusiasm Cazza, and I’m glad you found my post inspirational. There’s no way in a million years I could have dreamed of achieving this landmark in such a short time. This forum should be award-winning! 🏆🏅🏆
Thanks SM (appropriate user name at the moment btw!) 😅😅
You’ll get to wherever you want to with the help of everyone on here. It’s your race to run. Enjoy your journey too, and keep us updated with your progress! 👍👊😀
10 miles is pretty darn amazing!! I’m struggling with 10ks at the mo, I’m out tonight with the girlies tonight for a wee easy4 miler, I’ve. 5k in the morning and on Wednesday I have the Lisburn 10K, I can only but do me best!! Keep trotting on you, you’ll be at your half marathon any day now👏👏👏👏 x
I should have picked that username Snailspeed! It’s how I got where am I now with my little friends. *Touch wood*, snails have helped keep me injury free. My legs aren’t even sore or tight today. Just a little fatigued, which feels awesome! 🏃♀️😀
You can do this too. Keep your snails by your side (or in front!) and whatever goal you want to reach, you’ll get there. 😀😀
Well done, excellent, congratulations. I can’t go to park runs because of job, but I do run solo, my last parkrun was 5k in 41 mins and I’ve done 8 k in 1hr ana 10 so hoping to reach that magic 10 k in the not to distant future. 👏👏
Fantastic Scobs! 👏👏👏 I remember realising 10k was in my reach when I’d done my first 8k run. I could visualise where I’d finish on my route. You can do it. Let us know how you get on, and good luck! 😀😀😀
Awesome! That is fantastic. Thanks for sharing - both times and length of journey! I just graduated from C25K, also miss Michael, and just about to start with Ju-Ju’s plan. My times are SLOOOWW, and I swear I scare people with my rather pink face and loud breathing. I am hoping to squeeze out the 10k comfortably by Christmas - and maybe up my 5k pace as well, but I know I secretly want to do a half. This post made me absolutely certain
Yayayayay, I’m so pleased I inspired you Edina! 👏👏👏
Forget what speed you’re running. Do what feels right for you. I occasionally up the pace a little, but I’m so comfortable running at my slow and steady rate, I’m happy to stick with it. Actually, looking at my 5k and PR times, they are definitely inching down on average, as is my 10k time. So running slowly speeds you up! 👍🏃♀️🐌
Have fun, and tell us all how you get on won’t you? ❤️🏃♀️😀
I truly believe I can run a HM - after all its only an extra parkrun on top of what I did yesterday! Thanks for your support all the way. You’ve been one of the regulars I remember from the beginning! 👊😀👍
Oh yessssss, I am so pleased Myzinnyboy! Good for you, you’ll love it, I know you will! Use the forum for support and for sharing your own experiences. It’s invaluable! 👍👍👍
Oh my word, don’t, I repeat do NOT secrete jelly babies in a non waterproof pocket whilst running in the rain! Bletch! But they were still vaguely edible and gave me a few slimy sugar boosts after 10k! 😅😅
Wow amazing, thanks for sharing. You are about 6 months ahead of me, I started on 1st Jan this year, and have got to 10k, also very slowly and ran The Race for Life 10k in Leeds 1st June. But your post has inspired me to keep going and try to increase my distance.
Brilliant Clare! I’m so happy that my snaily journey is inspiring others. What a wonderful pastime running is isn’t it? 🏃♀️🏃♀️ Good luck on your journey, you’re doing so well! 👍👊
Hi Sandi, I’m so sorry, I must have missed your reply. 😩 I’ll be starting to build up mileage again next week .... HM is definitely in my sights, but with our daughter having our first grandchild in September, and me being entered in the GSR in October, I might need to wait until later in the year, or even next spring. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
I hope your 10k went well. I forget what the weather was like that weekend - not too hot I hope? Isn’t running the best? ❤️
Hey cheeky, belated congrats on your runniversary, always a source of happy & inspirational reading! Although I'm not on here as much lately, without this forum I would have thought that I was crazy alone with addictive this all can be 😂
Thanks so much Uncle. It’s great to hear from you and I hope you’re still loving your running! It’s truly fab isn’t it? Not sure I’m enjoying this heat much, but hopefully tomorrow will be a bit cooler for PR. 🤞 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃🏃
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