Long Awaited HM Bling, Midweek Jab and a Welcome 5k

[Couchphoenix]

Well the wait was finally over today, my Admiral Virtual City of Newport Half Marathon medal and tee shirt finally arrived 🤗 and I must say I’m really pleased with both. The shirt fits perfectly and the medal is a gorgeous nicely detailed heavy metal job, which makes all the hard work worthwhile😁.

My eventual placing was 785th out of 939 🏁, so at least I wasn’t last 🙂 (no disrespect to the person who was, it’s still a great achievement)......glad it wasn’t me though 😉

I hadn’t run this week as I had the Oxford AZ jab on Wednesday and felt a bit washed out to be honest, it gave me a mild version of what I’d had when all this kicked off, but in a way I found that reassuring as at least I knew it was doing what it should do and my body was learning how to fight it. 👊

Feeling fine today, so kit on and out for a NRC 30 minute run, Coach Bennett reminding me not to set off at a furious pace and to relax everything from my legs, shoulders and breathing right up to my eyebrows ! slow down he said and get to know the run.....or something like that, all the normal up beat distracting nonsense🤭.....I mean sound advice that gets you through 👍

Overall it was an enjoyable recovery run and when the 30 mins of CB wisdom came to an end I resumed the workout a little longer until I’d reached what felt a nice comfortable 5k a distance that felt just right today.

As always Happy Running Everyone ! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on getting that medal and T shirt for running your first Half Marathon, you will treasure that medal for many years to come. 😊 🏃🏾 🎓

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al, I certainly will 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

A good 5k today !And wow, love the bling 😎😬

Good also to get the jab out of the way , 😁👍

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Cheers Ian, it was nice out there today. It’s a lovely looking medal, well worth the wait.

First jab out the way, next one early June 👍

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Great bling 🏅 well done 👏🏽

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Cheers Tasha99 👍

[Indielass00]

Yay your bling arrived !!!🏅 😀Looks great👍🏻

Really pleased you got out for a run today and you are feeling back to normal.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend x

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Indielass00]

Thanks Indielass00, it’s a lovely medal, very pleased with it 😁

You enjoy the rest of yours too x

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

That's a fine looking medal!And a nice 5k today - glad you are feeling better

I had my first jab this afternoon (Oxford-AZ) so far no side effects 😁

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

That’s great you had had your vaccine, Well done you. Glad you have not had any side effects x

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks BL64 It’s a cracker isn’t it, very pleased with it 🏅😁

My side effects were quite mild, fingers crossed you won’t get any.

[Lizcanrun Graduate10]

Well done CP! That is huge medal for a fab achievement! 🏅

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Thanks Liz It’s a nice substantial one, it’s taken pride of place on my medal rack 😁

[Lizcanrun Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

I'm down for a real HM in June, but tempted to do a virtual one before then.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Why not, it’ll be good practice for you and an extra medal 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Fantastic t-shirt and medal! Great to be rewarded for you4 efforts with some bling. Certainly was a great achievement 👏👏👏👍

As for your recovery 5K, well, if I ever managed to run 5K in that time, I would probably collapse with shock, never mind over exertion 😂

Gotta love Coach Bennett, but he does go on a bit sometimes 😬

Well done, CP, for both.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Jools, they’re lovely I’m really pleased with them both 😁

That 5k didn’t feel that quick today, just goes to show, you never can tell.

CB is a good lad, I shouldn’t knock him, he’s kept me company since me and Jo Whiley split up 😉

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Yes, you’re right. CB has definitely filled the gap in my life since Michael and I parted ways 😂

[sofaspud]

Love that medal, CP - you certainly deserve it.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to sofaspud]

Thank You sofaspud 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Great news on all counts CP! I love the medal. Well worth the wait! Nice run today too. 👊

I’ve also been feeling less than 100% after my jab. I had it on Tuesday and didn’t run until today, which I still found hard work. I had mild covid in November, so like you, I was pleased the jab jolted my body into action! 💪

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks CC glad to hear you’re ok and like me you managed to get out for a run today too.

I’m glad I’ve got the first jab out of the way, makes you feel a bit safer knowing you’ve got some protection now. 👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

That is one handsome medal Couchphoenix - hard earned and very well deserved! Well done!👏🙂Glad you’re feeling better after the jab. I had mine last weekend and am just so grateful to have had it - especially working in a school.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39, It’s a handsome one indeed, someone put some thought into that one, I’m very pleased with it.

I’m feeling fine now, I did expect some reaction to it, like you it makes me feel a lot safer having had it. 👍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Looks great and I’m pleased you’ve recovered well from your vaccine, the first one wiped me out for a few days and gave me a headache from hell but the second gave me nothing

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

That’s great you have had your second vaccine glad you did not get any side effects. Take care x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks, i sort of expected some and was fine which i hope reassures others

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

That is great to hear, thank you. Yaay you are fully vaccinated now x

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola, feeling fine now, I’ve heard other people I work with say they had headaches from it, whereas others have had no effects at all. Glad the second one was kinder to you 👍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you it feels good to know I’ve less chance of catching Covid and passing it on

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Was that the AZ one? I have read that the second jab is less likely to give side effects than the first ( I had minimal reaction after my first one last weekend thankfully).My OH, who works for the NHS, had his second jab yesterday. Pfizer for him - and no reaction to either luckily.🤞🙂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Sandraj39]

I had Pfeizer Willow had Astra and no side effects

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Nice bling 🏅- very well earned. I love a bit of Coach Bennett, he makes a lot of sense. Well done Couchphoenix! 🏅🏅🏅

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank You Frenc 😊 Coach Bennett has been my constant companion since graduating C25k 👍🏃‍♂️

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Nice medal, and t-shirt, glad you got out today, alot of us having vaccine jabs this week, had mine thur, going for run tomorrow, as feel ok now, after not feeling great fri evening.

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Hi Peter,That is great you have had your vaccine. Glad you are feeling better. Enjoy your run tomorrow. I ran my first run of week 3 today, was so cold wore my puffa coat!! Take care

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks Rebecca, and happy for you, now on week 3, and all going well so far. Feb/March have been very quiet for me, running wise, for various reasons ☹ will be nice to get back into the routine. 🏃‍♂️

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thank you so much Peter. Wishing you many happy running miles. You are doing amazing. Take care

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks Peter, hope you’re doing ok.

The vaccine makes you feel a bit ropey for a few days, but I expected that. Felt fine today though and it was nice to get back out there, felt so much better afterwards. Weather was good here too, nice and mild ideal for a run 👍🏃‍♂️

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Congratulations Coach!!Wow, that medal must mean so much, you have achieved so much, HM runner friend, very Well Done you.

Great photographs, you are looking good the bling suits you!!

Glad you are feeling better and had an enjoyable run.

That medal stand of yours is filling up!!

Take care

Rebecca x

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thank You Rebecca 😊 and for the compliments my runner friend x

You’re an inspiration having gone through what you have and doing C25k a second time.

The medal and shirt were both well worth the wait, the medal is lovely and looks great on the rack.....but there’s always room for some more 😉

You take care too

Geoff x

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Aww thank you so much Geoff, when I can run 5k again I am SO going to sign up for Run at your place and start collecting some bling.

So pleased to be part of this forum the support and friendship is truly amazing it has helped me so much especially over the last few months.

Lol look forward to hearing about your next goals and new bling!!

Enjoy your medal lol I would not take that off!!

Take care x

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Good looking piece of bling there! 🏅

Glad you’ve had your first jab too, and that the after effects weren’t too bad. 🥰

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Thank You LMW, 😊it is a good looking piece of bling, I’m very pleased with it, makes all that effort worthwhile.

I’m feeling fine now thanks, glad I’ve had it, makes me feel safer from getting it 😁

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Couchphoenix]

Managed to get my 2nd jab Thursday evening with Mr. L, so well happy 👍

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

That’s good, I’m really pleased for you both. 👍

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Nice bling, well done!

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank You Evy 😊

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

That's a super medal, and I love the t shirt, it's a bit different to most of the tops we get, love the colour xx

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks Curlygurly2.....Yeah I was really pleased with both, I like the colour and design of the shirt as you say it’s a bit different to the norm, and the medal is lovely 👍

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Very impressive medal, a worthy reward for a great run! Had my 1st jab on Tuesday too - no side effects, but a serious loss of energy during my run on Thursday, which, reading everyone’s comments, seems to be runners’ common side effect

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie, I’m very pleased with that lovely medal, it’s nice and heavy and has some great detailing, definitely made all that effort worthwhile 😁

I think the fatigue from the jab must be our bodies learning to fight this thing. Glad to hear you’ve had yours and you’re feeling ok, at least we’ve got some protection now, which is reassuring 👍

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Congratulations on the bling! That sounds like a really nice run there CP. I had my jab on Friday and went for a run but was wiped out yesterday. I’m going to try for a run later today though.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks BrianUK, I’m really pleased with the bling, I was wondering yesterday as I was jogging along, how I actually managed that HM distance.....pure determination I think.

I enjoyed yesterday’s run 5k was just enough, like you I felt a bit wiped out, it’s best to leave it a few days after the jab, until you regain your energy 👍

[Hidden]

Awesome the boy got bling ! Magnificent 🏅🏅

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank You lmc50 😊

I did indeed ! and it’s an absolute cracker! 🏅 😁

[Lookslikejames Graduate10]

That medal is a thing of beauty, congratulations!!

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Lookslikejames]

A thing of beauty 😂 .....thanks LLJ, it is indeed ! 👍

[Lookslikejames Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

I have a deep addiction to medals lol

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Lookslikejames]

Can’t beat a bit of running bling, I love seeing the ones I have on display 👍

[Lookslikejames Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Do you do the Conqueror challenges? Those medals are awesome

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Lookslikejames]

I haven’t tried a Conqueror challenge, although I think I saw one of the medals which looked like an Aztec design and was quite big.....maybe one to consider this year 🤔

I just looked back at your previous post 2 months ago, it was your Inka Medal I saw, very impressive bit of bling that one 🏅👍

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Wow! That’s a great bit of bling! Big! Well deserved 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Thank You Frizzbomb67 it’s a nice one isn’t it, I was really pleased when it arrived, shirts nice too 👍

[Bambi2020 Graduate10]

Very nice bit of bling- well done. I would definitely have been the 939th runner!

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Bambi2020]

😂 Thanks Bambi2020 😊 I was just glad I managed to finish and not being last was a bonus.

It’s a lovely bit of bling 🏅😁

[IndieRunner]

Well done CP, looks great. A HM... such a great achievement, I am really pleased for you 🙂

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to IndieRunner]

Thank You IndieRunner, much appreciated, not sure I could manage another HM, but never say never 👍😁

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

Well done Mister! 👏👏👏💙 Another medal to add to that collection of yours🥇

A half marathon! Wow! Just wow!

I hope you’re upping the house insurance- these babies are priceless 👌

At the moment I’m living off your celebrations but hopeful of a return x

Take it easy mister!...

[Couchphoenix Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

Thanks Jane 😊 not sure where I I got the energy from but proud I achieved it though.

Harvey is on guard duty protecting the medals so should be ok 👍 🏅🐕‍🦺

We’re all awaiting The Return of Tinytears60 with anticipation, I’m sure you’ll soon be out there running again soon 🏃‍♀️x