Fabulous450 Goes Back to Old School “Out There, Don’t Care” Magic! 🏃🏽‍♀️❤️

[Fabulous450]

Hi Runners!

No messing around for me today!! 🙌🏽! Why? 🤔 I was on the forum yesterday and saw some posts that new beginners and those about to begin, sharing their apprehensions about being able to run. Some reflecting on their age, some their size and if with a niggling ailment, running was for them. All valid concerns. And I know they’re valid, because I had my own story! Never run and avoided it like it was the plague, so was it madness to think that I could run now, at almost 49?!🙄🤪

But, I told one fantastic lady a bit about my story. I decided to go out there and not care about how I looked in my leggings and T-shirt shuffling along, I was just going to have fun doing something just for me. That was like a light bulb moment too! Because it felt so good just saying it! 😍😍

That’s it!💡..... in a nutshell, I’m going out there for me and I’ll do my very best! If it’s not as long or fast as everyone else, that’s so cool 😎 , brilliant even 🤩......it’s so great to see what amazing things we all have the privilege of doing. It shows me what’s possible and gives you options. What a great running community we have! 🤗

My current programme’s 2k has been completed in the old school way ✅ ! I was channeling the good OldFloss guidance “snail 🐌...slow...slow...slow!” and I did 2.6k in the end, just 🐌🐌🐌🐌... back to the door. It was great! I also remembered that slow helps to build up a lot of stamina (finally 🙄).

I’ve enjoyed my time back in old school mode! (Thank goodness the uniforms changed a little though 😂)! Winter, I’m building up some running muscle for you!.....Let’s go! 😁

Happy running Runners! ❤️

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Fantastic post and sounds like you've got your head round why you are doing this - brilliant. Keep running keep happy keep proud

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you so much Grannytobe 🤗!! It’s amazing what memories you store up and if you look back it can be very empowering! Back to basics because you have proved it works wonders!! 😃❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

A brilliant post Fabulous, I think you should also post this on c25k forum. There is no doubt that people do get worried about those first few weeks of running in public but they should know that others are looking on thinking “well done for getting out there”.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Ah thank you Dexy5! 🤗 That’s a great idea. I’ll do that! I remembered feeling mortified having my first outdoor run in rush hour traffic! Still don’t like it, but I just don’t care! 😂! “Overt the eyes”, I’m running! That made it such fun! 🤣! ❤️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Good post Fab. When I started C25k I used to drive a couple of minutes to the branch walkway car park, and pay £1, just so that none of the neighbours would see me walking about in running gear never mind jogging along. It was like a guilty secret 🙄. Took a while to work out that nobody was bothered and that I could just do my own thing. Laughable looking back, but very real at the time. 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

It is laughable thinking back to those early days. Now you can proudly strut your stuff and maybe your neighbours will be so impressed they might take up this running stuff too .

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

You can never tell what would have happened anyway, but some friends have taken up or resumed running; as always your “look on the bright side” is spot on 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

😍

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤩! I love that! 😂 That’s brilliant Beachcomber66!

My first outdoor encounter happened when my head gasket blew and I was off the road after W1R2! I had to make a decision.....go rogue on the street or leave it and start another time?! 🥴 Glad to say that I was scared, but rogue won 🙌🏽🏃🏽‍♀️! Oh and I had pensioners walking their dogs, smiling at my efforts 😂. Smile back and wave! 👋🏽 Don’t care! 🏃🏽‍♀️

I’ve only been back to the treadmill at the gym once and hated it 😂. I got brave and trialled quite a few places on my Tour de la Running Outdoor Adventures. Some should not have been tried 😂, but all great fun! Ah...reminiscing is just great! 😍❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Great post... if there was any doubt before, it’s gone now... Fab is BACK!

Happy running.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Aah thank you UNM!! 🤗! Now this is the buzz I thought may have gone 😧. Just some reframing required and I think I might just be ok here! 😂❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

One of the reasons you inspired me so much when I arrived is that you’re not hugely confident, and neither was I! I’m sure your journey has helped many similar people on theirs. Keep being Fab!

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Nope, that’s for sure! 😂 Still a learner, but loving it is enough! ☺️❤️

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Wow you always sound so inspiring! I don’t think I’ve cracked the whole 🐌 thing and think I go for it every run. Not good I know but it’s what I do. Need to learn a more laid back strategy. Easier said than done I fear. 😕

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Aah Sybilw thank you!! 🤗 I sometimes think I’m making it sound far too difficult when it’s really just my own inexperience and uncertainty 🥴. But better out than in! 😊! I found my slow, slow, come last to win goal very relaxing indeed 🤩😂. It’s all good though Sybilw! We’re out there!! 😉❤️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Well done. So cool 👍

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks so much BTP!🤗 We know we have what it takes to do it! 😁❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Perfect attitude Fab! Each and every one of us should remember that our runs are just that - our runs, and no one else’s. Then we can be proud of what we achieve. And my goodness aren’t we proud? 👊👍😀

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ah thanks Cheeky!! 🤗 Yes, we have so much to be proud of! 😁❤️

[misswobble Graduate10]

Yeah just get out there and have fun. I shuffled for ages and when I finally was able to lift my feet up I felt like i’d finally arrived It takes a while for some of us but so worth it 😃👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Seeing the GSR photos it looks like I’m still on baby steps, but I now imagine I’m a gazelle even if I don’t look it on camera.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

😂! I’m sure you do look like a gazelle Dexy! 😃❤️

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble 🤗😀! I agree! I was so happy and I picked up my feet a bit, but then it went a bit.... (excuse the pun), but wobbly last winter .....🥶 and dark 🥴. It has been difficult getting back into a flow after that. But I’m not letting it happen this winter! 💪🏽😀❤️

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Brilliant post Fab! I think we all need to do this occasionally, just remind ourselves why we started doing this and remind ourselves how far we’ve come. I just remind myself how much I’d have to spend on clothes if I stopped and went back to my old dress size - works amazingly well 🤣

Great to see you back so strong 👏👏👏

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Aah thanks TailChaser!! 🤗 Love that...I’m the same, I love my clothes and had some for many years, so a tighter waistband is always a big incentive to get those feet moving again 😂❤️.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

🤣🤣

[Mama_J]

I’m new and thoroughly enjoyed your post. Great energy!!

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Mama_J]

Thanks so much Mama_J!! 🤗 Glad to share my experience of facing the doubts. I argued with and laughed at myself a lot 😊. Being lighthearted makes it so much more enjoyable 😂. I wish you fun and laughter Mama_J and if the humour isn't present at any time, just remember what you’ve already done. Making a great change just for you! Go you! Enjoy! 😁❤️