Magic W1R3 - what is better than bling?

[Jogunlikely]

It was a lovely, friendly, low key event to raise money for a local primary school. I had signed up to go in the first wave as I knew I would be one of the slowest.

The course set off from the school and out round some vineyards! 🍷 unfortunately only water was on offer 😉

Not having done a proper warm up I jogged out the start until we were out of sight then walked until 1/2km. (Oh the self imposed pressures to conform) Set Nike headspace guided run going and off i went, plodding along. With all this rain it's been a couple of weeks since I did proper trail running and I'd forgotten how much harder it is 😊

The forecast all week said it would be overcast. No. Clear blue skies, no breeze. HOT HOT HOT. Now I overheat really quickly so running in the midday sun is not the most comfortable. Luckily 2 water stops allowed me to tip some on my head - bliss.

After 22 minutes of running I had to walk. My split times had been too fast but I couldn't seem to go slow. Have my recent short runs reprogrammed my basic leg speed? If so my lungs need to catch up quickly 😂

I walked and jogged for the next 1.5km and ran the final 1/2 km to the finish. Where to my surprise my gazelle friend and her Ironman hubby had come along to cheer me home 😍😍😍

My aim was sub 45. Not speedy by most people's stds but knowing it was unlikely I would run the whole 5k this would be a good result for me.

44.48 💃😄💃😄💃 so pleased with this esp with the hot weather meaning I walked more than planned. So that's my PB 😂 my target is to improve this my running more of it 👏👏👏

Back to my question, what is better than bling? We didn't get a medal and category prizes where limited, but we got something better. As I crossed the finish line I'm handed a pot of jelly. Yum bloody yum! (Seriously good stuff for refuelling) and a slip of paper with a thank you note from one of the school children. How cute is that? 💕

Driving home I was feeling a bit emotional. Is this normal? I'd been feeling really nervous all morning, worse than when I'm competing the horse. Ridiculous really as I was only running against myself 🤷‍♀️

I'm feeling a little leg weary this morning having poo picked and ridden a friend's horse as well as my own yesterday. But it's happy weary, and I was sat in bed this morning looking for my next event. 🤦‍♀️ What has happened to me?

I hope everyone else has been having an enjoyable weekend.

Happy running folks xxx

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

A lovey read. Well done you 😄

[Stephen_UK Graduate10]

Great to read about this. Sounds quite an adventure. Well done getting through it in the heat. And nothing wrong with feeling emotional about it when you have put so much into getting this far. You should be very proud.

[Jogunlikely in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you Stephen. I am feeling a little proud of myself. I've been really surprised about how much I've enjoyed (?) doing c25k and now b210k. My normal MO is to give up once something becomes an effort. The only sport I have stuck with in my life is horse riding. I've given up other sports that I had far more talent for. Odd how things turn out

[JuJogger]

Well done! That has made me feel a whole lot better. Did my 5km run today but had to walk some of it. Did run for about 20 mins but felt a bit miffed at having to walk some! I did get bling tho.

[Jogunlikely in reply to JuJogger]

Aww congratulations on the bling x No harm in walking. I spotted many a person yesterday that took a walk break. Even some gazelles could be seen taking time out at the watering holes!

[JuJogger in reply to Jogunlikely]

On the magic running plan short runs, is the idea that you increase speed? Also what if you cannot do 5k in 30 mins?

[Jogunlikely in reply to JuJogger]

Hi on the magic plan you can either run time OR distance. I'm not running 5k yet so I opted for the time element. The plan should take me from running 30mins to running 60mins. For either you do not need to be able to run 5k in 30 mins.

If you choose the distance option it doesn't matter how long it takes you to do that distance.

Hope that helps

[JuJogger in reply to Jogunlikely]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[Kertesz Graduate10]

A.. well done you! I felt quite emotional reading this too... and have tried to understand why... I was wondering if it’s because this running lark has turned us into different people... different to how we were before C25K , but BETTER somehow... and that’s what makes it so darned addictive?!! X

[Jogunlikely in reply to Kertesz]

I think you are right. It's almost like we've (re)discovered our inner runner and set it free. Sounds a bit melodramatic but something has changed x

Thank you for your lovely message of support 😍

[molly1973]

That sounds like a really lovely event 😊

[SeeJillRun 60minGraduate]

I’d love someone handing me jelly when I finish! 😂 It’s definitely a bit on the warm side for this running malarkey isn’t it?! I know what you mean about legs going too fast, mine do it regularly, then it’s a struggle to slow down. Very strange! Well done on getting through it and getting a sub 45 minute time 👏👏👏

[Jogunlikely in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thank you 😊

[backintime Graduate10]

Congrats and well done on your PB.

Jelly bling ? Absolutely ! Yes please !

[Jogunlikely in reply to backintime]

Thank you x

Such a treat! How often do you get given jelly as a grown up? My inner child was equally appreciative as my adult self 😂

[Dottie_D Graduate10]

The heat is definitely a struggle for me too. Well done on your successful event 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍🏼

[Jogunlikely in reply to Dottie_D]

Thank you x

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Wonderful post! Many congratulations - what an achievement, especially in the heat, well done indeed. Yes, I get emotional at the end of an event - I suppose it is a real feeling of 'wow, I did it!' and knowing how much effort I have put in. This running lark is quite amazing!