I just ran round the garden for my first bling!

[Sybilw]

Not my actual garden but Letchworth Garden City. I was dreading it! My first real ‘race’. I’m generally a runner who likes to keep hidden off the beaten track (did anyone SEE my face at the end - now you know why) and apart from a very few Parkruns that’s where I’ve stayed. Very nervous at the start but the course was very kind - uphill was very gradual but I knew then the return bit was downhill - it’s all in the mind! The good news is that I came in at 270th with a chip time of 33.21 nearly a minute better than I’ve ever done. The bad news is that my garmin said I’d only done 4.9k but that’s still my best. Best of all I didn’t trip/walk/stop or generally disgrace the C25K community and I think I even enjoyed it 😊. Thanks to North Herts Road Runners and all the marshals and sponsors.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on completing that garden run, nice time as well. 😊 🏃

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! I should maybe try roads more often. I’m generally along the edge of fields - a plus of being on the edge of a garden city.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

No, not advisable to run along roads, dangerous, pollution etc, try parks, off road cycle tracks for your runs.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

The roads were shut for the run today. I’ll stick to the greenway in future - its paths that circle the town and I sometimes see deer! They never hang around for a photo though 😆

[O505k Graduate10]

Congratulations, well done. The first public run can be a bit daunting. 👏👏🎉🎉

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to O505k]

Thank you - I knew it just wasn’t me! Didn’t even let my husband come to watch as I’m a 🍅 when I finish. He usually sees me after my cool down walk. That’s bad enough!

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10]

Ahh I didn’t know that was on today, I would have done that myself.

Well done on getting round, good time as well!

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Thanks. It’s part of Letchworth festival - they had a 10k too. Look out for it next year as this isn’t its first year. Are you nearby?

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Yep, just to the north, just outside Biggleswade - I’ll keep an eye out for that.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Ill look out for you

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done on your first official run Sybilw . Amazing how running with others can speed you up too. Enjoy the high. 🏅🏆🏃‍♀️😄

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Will do. Thanks.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Woo hoo, well done! That is a very respectable time 👍😀👏🏃‍♀️🏅

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you. If I’d been on my own I’d have had a wee walk but couldn’t in front of people!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

You just said it, if running with other people it's more difficult to slow down or walk, you are "carried along with the other runners" perhaps it could make you a bit more tired at the end, nevertheless a great time.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you. It’s good for timing but think I still prefer along the edge of fields on my own!

[Hidden]

Fantastic stuff Sybil! Goodness that's very close to me! I was even thinking about joining the North Herts Road Runners later on! 😄

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I went out with them a couple of times in the winter when I was finding it difficult to get out in the day. Didn’t keep it up though as I think I prefer to run alone. Where are you?

[Hidden in reply to Sybilw]

Yes, I must admit I do enjoy the solitude. I'm in Graveley at the moment, I'm relatively new to this area. Born in Yorkshire, moved to Australia in my early twenties, now in Hertfordshire.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

There are some lovely tracks to run around here. I like to walk to Graveley but haven’t been brave enough to run all the way there as I’d need to walk back! Lots of opportunities to run off road in this area which I like. I was born in Scotland, lived in USA for a few years and moved here from London. Hope you enjoy life here.

[Zanzib Graduate10]

Well done on your run, and great time. I'm with you re tomato face, it's a fun look 🤣

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Zanzib]

Thank you. There’s not much we can do about faces sadly!!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Well done and congratulations. That first bling is very special, I’m sure the first of many.

Great work on the PB too 🙂

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Might not be so apprehensive/terrified the next time. Thank you.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Yes I was bricking it before my first race but then kept reminding myself, "this is supposed to be fun". The more you do the more excited you become but some nerves are good as it gives us a little adrenaline boost which is always good news for runners 🙂

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Absolutely!

[grumpyoldgirl]

Well done Sybil, I've done some parkruns but nothing else yet. The 🍅 is really annoying isn't it! I stay a more or less normal colour until the last half k🙄 I'm not a million miles away from you either. Although I'd have to get up very early, which I am not a fan of 😁

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Thank you. This was a 10am start so better than Parkrun. Like you I’m not a fan of early starts 🛌 ✅

[Scobs]

Well done. I did my first race on Friday just gone, it was 5 k and I did come last, but I had a new personal best of 39.37. Which I was chuffed with . I enjoyed it and for a b.present the ladies who I was with have entered me into another one on 7th August

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Scobs]

Well done you too! First race AND a pb. Good luck with your next one - and remember to have fun.

[Scobs in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you.

[MuddledGardener Graduate10]

Well done! 😃