I finally crossed the Bridge and completed my first 10K yesterday - including once round the duck pond to safely get me there - Wahay!

[SmashedPotato]

I have not posted for sooooo long, but felt my achievement yesterday was worthy of note. After completing C25K in March 2019 I dipped out of running in October 2019. A combination of holiday, injury, illness and losing the impetus to get going again. Started again in January 2020 and then Covid interrupted play in March until June. I started again (a stone heavier ....) and crawled round a 7.5 km route at Ashridge NT which is SO beautiful. I have continued two or three times per week ever since slowly building up my stamina. Yesterday it was noticeably cooler (can't do heat) and I decided I was going to give 10K a go with no expectations to finish so the gremlins did not get a whiff of my attempt. And it worked! To the consternation of several walkers who saw me run past them to the end of Aldbury, turn back and pass them again (I pointed out that I was still just shy of and determined to get to my first 10K). They cheered me on and I ran round the duck pond - my lap of honour - just to make sure - wonderful! Could have been the London Marathon so far as I was concerned. Strava was checked and I had safely recorded 10.02K. I am not going to share my time as I am a 'snail chaser'. My ethos is provided I can run faster than I can walk then that is fine by me! So there we have it, I have run my first 10K and am looking forward to my second ...... And if I can do it then truly anyone can! Note to self, I need to order a new t-shirt. Happy running xxx SP

[SmashedPotato Graduate10]

From self to HU. Apologies for the huge photograph - I am still technophobic and I was as ever following the 'keep pressing buttons' philosophy that governs my forays into techdom...... oops!

[Run46 Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

😆...brilliant job, if not on the tech then certainly on the run! Double digits at last, very well done 😊👏

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Run46]

Thank you so much Run46! Yes I think I will stick to snail running as all things tech in me just brings out the rabbit caught in the headlights !!! Hey ho! SPx

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on completing your first 10K run, to get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE10 next to your username leave a in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked August Graduate10 homepage and tell the administrators that you have ran your first 10K 🎓 😊

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you so much AlMorr - I had forgotton all about that bit - will then be official! Will have a go now. Cheers! SP

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

👍 🏃🏾 🎓

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

Absolutely brilliant!... determination! fair play to you!

Awesome 10k!...... You will be grinning for a week! (AND so you should!...its a LONG way!)

Love the lap of honour for the ducks!..... Brilliant!

Well done!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you Tinytears60 - yep still grinning! On the subject of ducks I am feeling pretty cream quackered and resting on my laurels today, but aim to be out there tomorrow all being well! All the best. SP

[Ethelbert Graduate10]

Well done, huge achievement! Love that sneaking out for a 10k without fully admitting it so the gremlins stay asleep - I definitely do that too!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Ethelbert]

Thank you Ethelbert!

[AlysP Graduate10]

Absolutely fantastic!!!!! Well done!!!!! 👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🏅🏅🏅💪💪💪

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to AlysP]

Thank you AlysP!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done on that first 10K 😁👍👏👏👏

And you don't need to post the time, it's irelevant ! 😁👍

Congratulations

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you! I am in awe of your 60minGraduate logo Instructor57 - doubt I will ever get there, but no worries, I will continue to be thankful that I can get out there and do my thing all things considered. Happy running xSP

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

What a lovely post and a fantastic 10k, what a great comeback after all those months not running, well done. Happy running 🤗

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

'Awe thank you Grannyhugs. I hung on to the memories of how good I felt getting out there in all that fresh air and achieving something I really never thought was possible. Happy running and love your name too. Happy running from an HP (Happy Potato!)

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

😀🎉👏🎉👏Lovely post - and big congratulations on running your first 10K!🙂

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Morning Sandraj39 Thank you very much. SP x

[Mum22boys Graduate10]

Loving the duck pond lap of honour 😀 huge congratulations, it's a special moment. Enjoy the next one 😉

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Mum22boys]

Thank you so much Mum22boys. I am looking forward to my next run and still feeling a slight glow! Happy running. SPx

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Fabulous ! Also, running around the duck pond to be sure of the distance is so much more stylish than my crazy woman circles in the road this morning!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you muchly Cmoi - and for making me laugh this rather grey morning picturing you running round in circles. Whenever I do that my hubby usually asks me do you need the loo!? Happy running SPx

[Jamicharla]

Lovely and inspirational lesson to keep going!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Jamicharla]

Oh Jamicharla yes yes yes to keep going! I am proud of every run, even the ones where I really struggle to get round, and huff and puff up 'that' hill a....... The upside of course makes any PB all the more sweet when it happens. Happy running. xSP

[HappyNoodle Graduate10]

Amazing, you reminded me of the person that gave me a funny look when I did a double fist pump when reaching 9k yesterday in speedy, for me, time and deciding to go for the 10 too.

It’s such an amazing achievement huge congratulations 🥳🏅👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to HappyNoodle]

Thank you HappyNoodle! Congrats on your speedy 9K and enjoy your 10K. Yes I have to accept the odd funny look now and then as par for the course though anyone 'in the know' absolutely gets it and fortunately the majority of people I and I hope you pass are at the very least indifferent and at the best encouraging ! That is one of the reasons why - and truth be told I had forgotton until I posted again - this forum is just sooooo brilliant and full of wonderful like minded people! Happy running! SPx

[damienair Administrator]

Congratulations and very well done on your first 10K. That’s fantastic. You never forget your first 10K. It is a great achievement. Happy Running.

Damien

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Wow what an inspirational post well done

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Aww thank you WillowandSola! Still feeling the afterglow. Happy running xSP

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Absolutely fantastic SP! What a brilliant achievement and such a wonderful upbeat post! 😀👏👊💥 🎉

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you kindly cheekychipmunks. Happy running xSP

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Well done! 🍾

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thankyou Maddee - now I just need to go to Specsavers as missed your post .... Happy running xSP

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Great post! Brilliant, very well done! 👍😀 Love the T-shirt 🐌

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Thank you very much skysue16 - and love the snail emoji - it is just sooooo me!!! Happy running xSP

[Sparkey5000 60minGraduate]

Awesome!!!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Sparkey5000]

Thank you Sparkey5000. Happy running. SPx

[Lifluf Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done. Inspiration to all us snails our there that it can be done. Love the idea of a lap of honour round the duck pond 🤣🤣

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

Thank you Lifluf and fellow snail - happy running xSP

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

Blimey, what an achievement, well done, and live the teeshirt!!! ,🏃‍♀️😆🏃‍♀️!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Thank you Hedgehogs 123 - yes still enjoying a faint glow this morning....... looking forward to getting out again as I think I need to do this again to make sure I was not dreaming it and it wasn't just a fluke (get down gremlins, down, down). I love my t shirt too and wear it with pride though just as well I completed a 10K and heralds an excuse for a new one as it is looking rather grey since it accidentally went in with a darker wash ,,,,,, Happy running SPx

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

I missed this yesterday SP but huge congratulations on your first 10k! I was on a cloud for several days after I did mine so make sure you tell everyone you meet!! We snail chasers don’t have to worry about time - my first was 1hr 42 and my second was even slower (but it was a very hot morning!) so if you can beat that you’re truly a member of the snail club! Be proud! And don’t forget to celebrate! Happy running!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Oh Oldgirlruns I am so chuffed to hear from you as you amongst others I remember from my previous forays into forum world. Thank you so much. All I will say is that your inner snail just came ahead of my inner snail timing wise, so I bow to you and graciously and most humbly accept membership of the snail club, thank you! And thank you to for sharing your second run so that I do not literally run away with myself and have unrealistic expectations. I am proud but will keep smugdom at bay. Indeed, one of the reasons I find I love running so much is that I really cannot second guess how each run will pan out even with some sensible preparation beforehand. There are so many variables - temperatures (inside and out!) hydration, recurrent complaining tight calf muscles and not forgetting the GMS (Gremlin Mental Scale) to contend with etc etc. Every run is therefore an adventure and has its very own challenges whether long or short. All the best. xSP

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

See you out there fellow 🐌!

[MrsSchnauzerSmith]

Great t shirt! And yes you need a new one now you are across the 10k bridge. Congratulations!!!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to MrsSchnauzerSmith]

Thank you Mrs SchnauzerSmith! Oh yes some time today I will order my new t shirt - and seeing Graduate10 next to my name is absolutely amazingly amazing. As you will find as and when you get there too xxx Happy running xSP

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

Lovely post - congratulations. Just wondered where you got the T-shirt? It’s perfect and a great advert for C25K when you’re out and about.

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Hi Sybilw Thank you very much! I ordered t shirts via Vistaprint who had an offer 3 for 2 at the time - and I had it printed both sides in the hopes that one day I might actually overtake a fellow runner! The pink snail was a free download - the link is here clipartsuggest.com/yellow-a... and hubby did the Vista print order part. One of the reasons was indeed to raise awareness of this fantastic scheme and of course to show off!!! Happy running and will get my new order in today. Happy running. It is certainly a conversation starter. SPx

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

I love it because if it could get me to run it’s amazing! I witter on about the program to everyone whether they want to hear it or not!! 😆 I like the idea of being a walking advert for it. Thank you.