7km today. Bridge almost half crossed!

[iain-strachan]

And here's me, looking a bit sweaty, hair all over the place (what's left of it), in my new Asics running top, having run further than I've ever run before!

I decided to keep it to a "chat" pace, so a very slow time (not saying!), figuring it's more important to finish the run than have a fast time - that can come later.

I'm following JuJu's magic running plan - was hoping to do a Parkrun this weekend but the forecast is dire, and Abingdon Parkrun can be a quagmire. I might just do the 5k run on the roads, or try Didcot Parkrun which is largely on tarmac.

Got the 8k route planned out for next week using onthegomap.com.

To think that in March I weighed 17stone 9 pounds and my blood sugar was in the diabetes range. Nearly 4 stone shed since then, running 7km without a struggle, and diabetes completely reversed (latest blood test puts me in the normal range). Not bad progress, I think!

10k looks doable, though at the present pace it will take me an hour and 20. But the important thing is to do it, not (yet) to do it fast.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Fantastic effort and great health benefits. Inspirational. Keep up the good work, I’m at the very start of my 10k journey

[2718281 Graduate10]

Inspiring Iain, I've just started Ju-Ju's magic plan, I've just realised I probably need a new running top

[Couchpotato2 in reply to 2718281]

any excuse!

[iain-strachan Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

That's my problem too. Running is supposed to be a cheap hobby, and it can be. Trouble is, you keep seeing things in shops and think "wow! it'd be cool to wear that running! (or rather "warm" in winter!" and you have to buy it!

[Couchpotato2 in reply to iain-strachan]

there is nothing cheap about running haha, have you got a visor for sun / rain / snow? what about all the high vis etc etc

[iain-strachan Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Aargh not more stuff I'd be tempted to get! Recently got a beanie hat and gloves for winter - at £12.99 buy one item get one free, so that was a bargain. I have hi-vis vest, leggings, long sleeved top, not to mention heart rate chest strap, bone conduction headphones so can hear the traffic ....

[Couchpotato2 in reply to iain-strachan]

I'm sure I can find more that you need one of our fellow vrb mentioned an Aldi sales this weekend on running stuff... just saying

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Great stuff Iain !

[Hidden]

What an inspiring post Iain

Well done on all fronts

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Great running iain and brilliant weight loss which in turn helps everything else. I'm still trying to slow down to get further it's working slowly but surely. 😊

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

You have come a long way in a short time Iain. Brilliant result for you and the plan, and the story goes on.....👏👏👏👏🥇👍

[Couchpotato2]

wow! That is amazing progress and slow is good. I think Didcot sounds like the right parkrun, you dont want to be swimming in mud! Well done

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Fantastic progress both health and running-wise! 1:20 is nothing to be embarrassed of at all, you will indeed get there! 👍🏻😁

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Fabulous life changing progress Iain! 😄Huge well done. 🎉🎉👏

“7km without a struggle” sounds fantastic! 😄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Great job... and wonderful progress, especially beating the diabetes. Conversational pace is the way to do your long runs... and 80 minutes would be a good time to hit 10k in if you ask me. Each km is easier to add than the last, you’ll do that 10k

Happy running.

[kpnuts53]

Brilliant result well done. I've just finished the magic plan, it really does work, good luck