4th Runniversary and 50th Parkrun

[Sandie1961]

Four years ago today, at the age of 56 and having avoided running pretty much all my life, I pulled on some old trainers, tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt and, checking I couldn’t see anybody I knew, set off to do Run 1 of Week 1 of Couch 2 5k. 30 minutes later and I was convinced I’d never complete it and it took me another week before I did run 2. However, to my amazement I got through it and celebrated by nervously turning up to parkrun in Lincoln on 14 July. Due to a small break caused by covid (70 not parkruns) I finally made it to 50 real parkruns today. Shake-and-run and TailChaser said they’d join me if we could find a suitable location so we settled on Watermead near Leicester and I invited my friend Clive along as it’s on his doorstep. I got a shout out at the start and had loads of people congratulating me as I ran round the lovely lakeside course (the balloons didn’t make it easy though 😂). A somewhat average 32.35 time, 181/246 but 2nd in my age category. Full English for less than £5 at the Hope & Anchor pub afterwards rounded off a memorable morning. Massive thank you to my running buddies for coming along. See you next week for London 🦋🦋

[RunWillie Graduate10]

Well done! Sandie1961 Running buddies, balloons and full English. That’s a great day❤️🏃‍♀️

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie]

Couldn’t be better RW and the weather was fine too (if chilly!)

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

So glad you reached your Big 50 at last Sandie! And of course how wonderful to celebrate with those epic buddies. Can’t wait to see you all next week in London! 🎉🎉🎉

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you 😊 It really was special having Shakes and TC there. I can’t wait for next week too 😃😃

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations to you Sandie1961 on completing your 50th parkrun at Watermead, well done, lovely photos, balloons galore, onwards and upwards to No. 100

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al. You’re not far away yourself. 100 seems an awful long way away. I shall just enjoy my red t-shirt for now (once it arrives)!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

That is the way to celebrate a 50!Congratulations Sandie; You are an amazing runner 🏃‍♀️ 👏👏👏🏆

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC. It was a lovely morning. Not my fastest by any means, but who cares? 😃

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Many congratulations! And what happy photos!😊🏃‍♀️🎈

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you 😊

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done on 50 parkruns and 4 years of running. Will you be getting the tee shirt?

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yep, already ordered 😃

[Agingnovice1 Graduate10]

So lovely to read this Sandie1961 🎉 What an inspirational journey you’ve had getting to 50 Park Runs 🙌 Congratulations 🥂

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Agingnovice1]

Thank you Agingnovice1 😊 How are you doing? We should meet up!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Happy Runniversary Sandie1961 what an achievement and don’t you just look so happy.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you 😊 I was so happy to have my running buddies with me. It made it very special

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes it must have made it even better

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

..and because of you, I now do parkrun too! Fabulous location and great meet up, it was a pleasure to be part of it. Thanks for inviting me. Xxxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

You did a cracking sprint finish too. I think Watermead could become a favourite. Convenient to get to (barring traffic problems 😖) and a great brekkie at a more than reasonable price 😂

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Lovely pics!Congratulations on your 4th Runniversary Sandie and your 50th Parkrun was celebrated in style with friends!🎈🎉🌷🌷🌷

Good luck next week...sounds like a big one!🏃‍♀️🤞👌xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you BBR 😊 Oh yes, next week is going to be amazing!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Whoop whoop Sandie1961. Congratulations on the big 50, and so great that you could meet up with friends too. Running with balloons is great fun in the wind isn’t it? You will be smiling for the rest of the day. Now order that red T-shirt.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5 😊 I was so pleased I could meet up with Shakes and TC, it was a really nice course and very welcoming. The shirt is already ordered. See you next week 😃😃😃😃

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I can't believe its going to be next week after 2 years wait Sandie! I might wear a parkrun shirt on the day.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I’m hoping mine might arrive in time 🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I got mine by Tuesday so I’m sure it will.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Absolutely super...HUGE well done.!Beautiful photographs, running with friends...a full English too!

Winner all round xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊 It was a lovely morning xx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Sandie1961]

I forgot... HAPPY RUNNIVERSARY too xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Aww, thank you 😊 It’s been a funny old 4 years, but hopefully back on track again 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Hasn't it!!!! You have had a great running time though!

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Well done on both counts Sandie. Looking forward to seeing you in that red shirt soon.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you 😊 The shirt is already ordered so will be on display as soon as it arrives 😃

[sparky66 Graduate10]

Happy 4th runaversary 🎈🎈🎈That's an amazing amount of parkrun achievements 👏👏👏

"An average" 32 min 5K!!!

Sounds pretty awesome to me 😅

Well done 🎊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to sparky66]

Thank you 😊 My PB is 28.48 but I don’t seem to be able to get back under 30 currently, so I just settle for a steady pace!

[00marks Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 50th parkrun! I saw you running with balloons and didn't realise the significance. It must have been quite tricky because it was rather blustery.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to 00marks]

Thank you 😊 Yes, the balloons made it interesting 🤨 Lots of people kept wishing me a happy birthday (I’m happy to look 50 😂) I’m pleased I found out what your shirt was for too!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Happy 4th Runniversary and 50th Parkrun !Hope you enjoyed that full English 😁👍

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you 😊 Breakfast was just what we needed 😋

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Happy runniversary 🏃🏼‍♀️💥🎂🎈

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you 😊

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Congratulations on 50 parkruns Sandie! I think all us 2018ers are pinching ourselves that we’re still running four years on! Thank you for inviting me today, it’s been a privilege to be part of your running journey. See you next week 🥳🥳🥳

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

I know. Amazing isn’t it? Thank you for coming. It really made it special. Pom poms shaking for you today 😃

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie! 🤗

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 50th and 4 year runniversary Sandie - yes, another of the class of 2018!😀

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thank you 😊 Isn’t it great how we’ve stuck together over the last 4 years 😃

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

It is - running is a marvellous 'glue'!

[GTFC Graduate10]

Just awesome Sandie1961 The whole post makes you smile reading it 😁 A tremendous achievement and wonderful memories from Run 1 to Parkrun 50.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Thank you 😊 I never dreamt I would still be running and certainly not that I would actually enjoy it 😂😂

[Lizcanrun Graduate10]

Well done!! 🎉

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Thank you 😊

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

What a lovely post and many congratulations! Well done Sandie1961 😊.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank you 😊

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Just fabulous! When it all comes together... 🥰

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

It should originally have been earlier in the year, but stuff got in the way. As it turns out it was perfect. Fate!

[roseabi]

Superstar 🤩🤩🤩

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Thank you 😊

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 50th parkrun Sandie1961 - I can safely say I'll never, ever achieve that!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Given that I reckon your nearest parkrun is about 150 miles away, I think that’s a pretty safe bet 😂🤣 Mind you, even if it was on your doorstep, I don’t imagine it would be your thing anyway!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I just looked and the nearest is actually over 200 miles each way Sandie1961 ! Maybe if I'd started running in the UK I'd have given one a go. There are a whole host of reasons why I wouldn't though!

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Well done on your 50th - and keeping going. I also started April 2018 as an older never-run-before but lapsed for no apparent reason so I’ve just restarted. It’s a magic plan. It’s good to be out again but I never left this wonderful community.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you 😊 Good luck with getting back. The plan really is magic. You’ll get there x

[VWBW]

Fantastic to read your post Sandie, really inspiring…. I might just get back to Park Run next week myself now. Thank you for sharing your special day, and well done for getting to 50 Park Runs, that’s amazing and what a great time too!! 👏👏👏😃

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to VWBW]

Thank you 😊 The support of friends is just invaluable 🥰

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10]

Well done! How lovely you could all run together! Good luck for London!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you 😊 The friendships made on here are just so precious!

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Your post makes a lovely and inspiring read. Congratulations on your 4th Runniversary and 50th Park Run. 🎉🎉

[Katnap Graduate10]

🎉 not long now to the Vit10k and the mass meet up

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

I know. So excited 😆