Two years ago today, at the age of 70, on a dark windy evening in hilly Chipping Norton, I wheezed, panted and generally struggled my way through week 1 run 1 of couch to 5k. I staggered home, my face a mixture of lurid red and white, sides heaving, head spinning. It was a triumph for me as serious injuries to my left leg had brought my running to a halt in my late teens, and it was 50 years before a change in medical opinion meant I was able to start running again.
It’s been an amazing two years. The support from these forums has made a huge difference to me. I’ve done things I never dreamed I would do, culminating in completing Oxford half this month; and being able to share the stages, bounce ideas and experiences off my friends here, has made the journey much richer. Especially this year when we’ve had a major town to town house move, a death in the family, Alzheimer’s in the family and also terminal cancer in the family, the loss of a beloved cat and the other one slipping gradually downhill towards death. Running has kept me up, enthused and connected with life.
The photo montage shows just a few of the wonderful experiences I’ve had.
I shall share this across Marathon and Race and Bridge to 10k, mainly to encourage others on the path - which has been one of my main reasons for all my posts . Admins, please let me know if it’s appropriate to post on c25k - I don’t want to make them think they have to do races when they are probably aiming for fitness and running for fun.
Congratulations on your 2nd runniversary! I hope you have a celebratory run planned, or at the very minimum a trot and a cake! 🎉
You’ve been one of my major inspirations Flick. I’ve loved reading about your journey, and the obstacles you’ve clearly had to overcome would make most mortals throw in the towel. Not you. 👊
Your HM training programme was nothing short of pure grit on your part - and then you went and smashed the race itself, hard though it might have been. 👏❤️🏃♀️🎉
Wow Flick, you have achieved so much in these two years, you also look amazing. Massive congratulations to you and it inspires me on to keep on running at my age of 66 next week. Well done lovely lady 💚👍👍🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
Oh Flick, this is so inspirational. 💕🎉 I’ve followed part of your journey since I started running this year. Always onwards, whatever life throws. Thanks so much! 👏🏼👍💕
Happy Runniversary!!🎉 You've had quite a journey over the last 2 years & I'm glad you've shared it with us and hope you continue to do so. Sorry to hear about recent family losses including Alzheimer's. Glad that you have running back in your life to help to through these difficult times. Xx
Many, many congratulations, FlickM3. I remember reading your posts as I was just a few weeks behind you. You have done phenomenally well - you left me for dust - and I wish you well for your ongoing running adventure.
Many congratulations our lovely Flick 🎈🎉👏🏃♀️You’ve had a fabulous journey and I’ve loved reading all about it in your beloved posts. Please don’t disappear on us as we’d miss you a lot.
You look amazing and certainly don’t look your age 🙂 This running thing obviously agrees with you.
Have a wonderful day (a run I hope) and here’s to the next year of running amok xxx
Thank you lovely Princess 😊❤️ Haha yes the age thing, the wrinkly arms don’t bear close scrutiny but I decided to slap on the body forming lotion and bare them to the summer sun 😂
That half marathon took it out of me. I have a low grade bug. I only managed 2k today, was pushing my pace, happily trotting along at 6.25min/km at one stage, glad to be free of the hr zones, when my chest and throat closed up - so I sensibly stopped and came home. Chest is obviously affected. Boo xx
Lots of bugs going around at the minute. I’m going to get my flu jab this pm (I have to pay for it as I’m not that age yet 😕) so hopefully that’ll give me some protection from buggy things. My husband said the other night he had a sore throat which for him is usually the beginning of a cold. My first thought was not “poor you” but rather “I hope I don’t catch it because that’ll bu**er up my training” 😷 🙄 Does that make me a bad wife 😂😂
Fingers crossed your bug is not too bad and won’t hang around for long. But you know what to do anyway xxx
Honestly, it’s about ten years since I had a proper full blown cold, I just don’t get them, but I think the half knocked the stuffing out of me and depressed my immune system. Echinacea is keeping it in the background.
I hope you manage to repel your husband’s germs! I hate it when anything interrupts training! Xxx
Honestly, I thought it was an age thing, but it seems people right across the board have complained of fatigue after doing one of these longer distance races, judging by various forums in on xxx
Very sorry to read about all the upheavals and distress in your life right now, but such an inspiring read, thank you for sharing and congratulations on your running successes 👏
Fab photos of you Flick, a very inspiring post from you and a hearty congratulations on your 2nd runniversary.
As you know I have been supporting you all along your running journey and wish you further success in the future, now go and celebrate two years from when you began run 1, week 1 of C25K.
Thank you Alan. You’ve been such a good friend and support to me. I shan’t post my runniversary every year, but I think two years indicates a certain seriousness about it 😊 xx
Thank you for posting this Flick. You were there while I sat on the bridge playing pooh sticks wondering if I wanted to go further that 5k. But your posts of running around Cotswold villages were some of those that inspired me. I also loved seeing your collection of ‘Sturdy’ runwear.
You’ve never let us know your secret of eternal youth though ; no way are you 70.
It’s good to read that running has helped you through some tough times, one of the hidden benefits of this. You’ve achieved so much, and been an inspiration to many... and, of course, the manufacturers of cool leggings are grateful that you run 🤣
Thank you 😊❤️ Yes, running is such a blessing. And yes, haha, Sturdy by Design should give me special discount for all the customers I’ve sent their way 😂😂😂
Thank you - and I'm waiting for an admin to give me the go ahead. the reason I'm holding back is that our badges from Race forum dont translate to c25k forum so that people don't get overwhelmed and discouraged xx
Your running career has certainly been full of wonderful acheivements!
Not one to let the grass grow, you are always working on something and it's such an inspiration reading your posts and following your amazing progress.
I remember when you ran every day for a month and that Oxford HM was an heroic run from you!👏👏
Hope your next year's running brings you happiness too😊xxx
Thank you lovely. I’ll be doing Marcothon (run every day in December) again this year. It was huge fun and a very friendly, supportive Facebook group. Even Sam Heugh (Jamie in Outlander) did it xxx
Who knew that human beings could run into old age. Socially we are taught to expect Zimmer frames and walking sticks as we get older. I feel so blessed to be running now xx
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Congratulations. x
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