First 5k of the year

[SueAppleRun]

It's flipping March, I couldn't believe it when I checked and I haven't run 5k since 20th December. And it took me a whole 50 minutes!

Wind back a bit, get up make tea, message from daughter, have you had your run yet? I wonder if she's being encouraging. It wasn't even 8 o clock.

My tea was still too hot to drink.

We message and make plans for later, and I'm as usual going off the idea.

Willow gives me an encouraging speech and I sit and drink my tea.

Up and get ready. Now I'd had an idea, not my brightest but I have 4 pairs of running shoes, none of them totally worn out. I've been thinking I should wear them out, so this morning put the original running shop gait analysis shoes I'd bought on.

Didn't feel very cushioned, I remember when I got them I thought I ran faster in my cheap eBay Reebok's.

Talk about pounding the pavement though, I know some favour barefoot running but every step jarred. I decided quite quickly these would be relegated to gardening shoes.

Towards the sea turn off round the industrial estate, it's always really quiet at the weekends, on I run, very slow.

Today I'd chosen It's Ok 5k NRC and Beautiful South music. I hadn't listened to these songs for ages so found myself singing along.

It's a grey day with splashes of colour in front gardens, I soon stopped noticing the cool breeze in my face and was enjoying myself

Took a couple of little walk breaks after 3k, and then the last kilometre and the usual argument between brain and legs, come on says brain, I want to get home, shut up says legs I want to walk, faster says brain and on we go bicker bicker bicker.

Round the block and coach says done, but I had started NRC before Garmin so ran on a little more.

I'd like to blame the uneven pavements, the up and down kerbs and the shoes of course but in all honesty my fitness made me slow and only consistent running will change that.

Run happy or rest well

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Well done on that 5k! Even if the shoes need to be relegated 😊. I have some Beautiful South tracks on my playlist, I always enjoy listening to them.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Frenc]

Thank you, I was hoping for under 50 minutes but I have run much this year since being ill and it'll take time to build up again now. I really enjoyed it though 😊 old favourites like Beautiful South I over played when they were new but it's great to listen every so often, and I seem to know the words lol 🤣

[grumpyoldgirl]

Nice work Sola, doesn't it make a difference seeing those first spring flowers starting to show. 🌱🌷(And why isn't there a daffodil emoji, we Welsh grumpies demand to know! 🙄 )

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Yes seeing those splashes of colour are uplifting. We have a lot of camelias around here too which are showing pinks and reds,

[dijep Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 5k, it's great to get back to a distance that you used to d 🙌. My head and legs argue constantly about whether to hear a walking break, today legs mostly won 😄I know just how you feel about shoes, I've got one pair of road shoes, bought after a foot consultation and I always find that seem less cushioning than when I road run in my trail shoes

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to dijep]

I'm hoping to brush the cobwebs off my trail shoes on Wednesday when I do my once a week up the hills run, Can you run on roads with trail shoes?

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I do all the time although it's probably not recommended 😉 Most of my runs are a mix of roads and trails so I guess I ideally need a hybrid shoe .

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to dijep]

Thank you

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

Well done Sola, enjoy those blooms.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thank you Shakes

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations Sola on completing your first 5k of this year, I am sure you will be able to to get a sub 50 or 45 minutes 5K sometime soon, the main thing is that you enjoy your running and not worry about time.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr]

I am hoping for sub 40 mins Al, but along the river or seafront, our paths are too uneven anyway to push for speed, it's been my worst winter for illness and non running days but getting out there is so good

[Sulley101 Graduate10]

congrats on your first 5k of the year! I’m sure it’s the first of many to come 😁🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Sulley101]

I'm retiring in 7 weeks and plan more consistent running, it's been an awful winter with colds and flu so even though very slow I'm pleased with my run

[Doris8 Graduate10]

we’ll done on your 5 km and I bet it’s good to be back. Considering you’ve been out of sorts that’s a good time. Your fitness will get back shortly and plenty time for that when u retire.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Doris8]

Yes, I'm counting the days til retirement and trying to get out on days off until then

[Oldlady64 Graduate10]

As always, a great and inspiring pair, thank you!

I’m away right now and will pick up my running in about three weeks when I’m home. But for now I’m enjoying reading posts and thinking of my next step of fitness challenges

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldlady64]

Being away is a treat, I hope it is anyway, I'm just trying to keep it ticking over until I retire and can run more consistently

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Congratulations! It's been a long winter, but those splashes of colour are wonderful!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Roxdog]

Yes they are and 2 colds and a flu really knocked me this winter

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Love this post Sola! Well done on your 5km, I’m sure there’ll be lots more to come, especially when it warms up a bit! And your time of 50 minutes pretty well matches mine, yay!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

That's us matching for the GSR then 😃

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

🤣👏

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Great post...Brilliant run and really well done you!!! We are all fighting our way back from all sorts... and you and we are AWESOME!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

We are 😃

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Absolutely fantastic! Such a milestone. 🏃‍♀️❤️💪

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I'm feeling a bit old and tired, all my bounce and energy goes into work, but not for much longer ☺️

[Newbie59 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I guarantee, 3 months after retiring you will feel like a new woman

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Newbie59]

I do hope so

[damienair Administrator]

Congratulations and very well done on running your full 5K. Glad I’m not the only one who fights with their brain when out running. It’s a constant battle. 😃

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to damienair]

Thanks, constant battles make us stronger

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

I missed this run on strava Sola. You did really well battling the gremlins and got out there. Even better that you reached 5k again. Very good news indeed. 👏👏👏

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks Brian, but it doesn't feel much if an achievement at the moment

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It’s a giant step in the right direction Sola. Don’t be too disheartened.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

I'm pinning my hopes on my retirement plan and hanging on, 3 months notice is a long time to work knowing I'm going

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Retirement is amazing! Well worth the wait Sola. Take care in the meantime. It’ll be there before you know it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Yes thanks Brian, how's your ankle?

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It’s still being a proper Mr Grumpy. I think it’s time I saw a physio.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Congrats on your first 5k this year! 🙌🏼

Seems like you may have to treat yourself to some new shoes soon…😉

It sounded like a lovely run, slow, enjoyable and with fab music…

I had a calendar in the surgery where I had my antenatal clinic, and I loved crossing off the days to my retirement day!

…oh and I haven’t run a sub 50 minute 5k this year yet!

🏃🏻‍♀️😊🐌

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to LottieMW]

Iv got loads of newer shoes, I don't think it would be appreciated if I crossed the days off, I'm not very popular in our office. I do need to update my online calendar though, maybe a task for this morning

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to SueAppleRun]

😉👍🏼

[OldManRunning Graduate10]

Bicker, bicker, bicker, sounds like Mrs OMR and me 😂 😂Well done you for getting out, pity about the shoes 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to OldManRunning]

Thanks, well actually, I'm quite pleased to know those ones are done, I have loads of shoes, I have had more money than time for running this last couple of years, that changes soon

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

You did it that’s the main thing ! Spring is coming it will be easier 🤞🏼

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you, retirement is coming and I'll have more time

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Honestly it’s the best, still feels strange one month in but not missing all the stress!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

One month in? Sounds wonderful, my notice period seems to be going on forever

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I know that feeling, I made a countdown chart crossing those days off got quicker and you can see the light !!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

I have the option to go back on a casual basis but the closer it gets the less I think I'll want to, I updated my online calendar with work days, days off and annual leave today and got to 24th April and stopped then sat and grinned. I think the extra year working is going to make me appreciate not working even more.

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Well done Sola! You did it ! 👏👏🏃‍♀️🥰

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Folkylass]

I hadn't realised it was so long 😒 I've done a few run 3k turn and walk back 3k but it's been a tough winter

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Well done Sola. Making the return to running after a break isn't easy - just getting ready and walking out through the front door can feel like a mental barrier. You have done very well to cover a full 5k on your return run even if you feel you were slow. I wouldn't worry about time until your running with ease again, just get your legs used to distance again.I'm doing the same after a couple of months off due to a health concern, but, fortunately, all is ok and I've been out for 3 x 5ks and looking forward to no. 4. I'm run/walking my way back but it's coming!

You'll soon be 'up to speed' and enjoying your favourite runs again - best wishes ☺️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Raisemeup]

Thank you and good to know your are enjoying your return

[Sammyyy]

Love your posts, so encouraging, thankyou x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Sammyyy]

Thank you

[hamit Graduate10]

5k...Rock on 🎸...well done

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to hamit]

Thank you

[Freecloud Graduate10]

Well done for eventually getting out completing the 5k. Time just slips away the longer you leave it. I was going on a 20 minute run a few weeks ago and set up all my timers and stuff I then chose an NRC run, I thought the girl in the picture looked a bit pregnant but thought not much more about it. Anyway, I set everything to go and started to play the workout run and yup it was all about maternity running 🤣🤣 and how the group of female runners were dealing and had dealt with theirs.. I listened to it all because it would have taken me about 20 minutes to set it all up again.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Freecloud]

That's priceless, I've seen those runs but am well past the age of maternity running, it made a change for you though