To all you C25K'ers...

[danzargo]

Well gor blimey guv'nor! If I'd pushed that tiny bit harder I'd have done consecutive sub 30 mins for 5K. Alas, twas not to be, as todays run came in at a infuriatingly close 30'05sec.

I don't know why it is I'm slightly obsessed with times? Perhaps it's only human to be competitive - even if it's with oneself. I ALMOST achieve my plan as I set out each run - "Forget about time Dan. Just run 30 mins comfortably and don't kill yourself" says my Angel on my left shoulder. "Sod that you great Klutz!" says the DEVIL on my right shoulder. "Haul yo ass and try and go quicker each time! Otherwise you're a pathetic FAILURE!"

Oooh that devil is a devil sometimes!

So even though I'm 90% on the side of my ANGEL, the other 10% is stained by the DEVIL and he generally always wins. The look on my face today when I looked at my phone - 30'05sec, was of "Ohhhhh noooooo!", but I have to keep reminding myself that last April when I started this running thang, the thought of running for half an hour non stop wouldn't even have crossed my mind. I couldn't have run for a bus!

There was one person who I saw this morning at 6.30am who qualified for the "Incredibly weird Person out Running Early" award. I was tonking along by the River Thames, when toward me came a young chap. He was running. "I'll wish him god day when he passes me" I decided to myself. He got closer. Now was the time "Morrrr......." I couldn't complete my sentence because as he went passed, ignoring my cheery demeanour, I looked down at his trainers and noticed he was running barefoot!! Barefoot on a pavement where there could be ;

a) broken glass

b) dog sh**

c) Goose **it

d) slugs!

Eeewwwww!! He wasn't half moving though. The unfriendly swine!

Where was I? Oh yes! I was giving a Presidential C25K Speech.

So to all you C25K'er's out there, never beat yourself up. If you have a bad run, you can't complete a run, or if you can't go as fast as you want, the main thing is that YOU IS DOING IT BABY! You're out there, on Planet Earth breathing in natures air (unless you're in a gym and then you're breathing in other peoples armpits) and making your internal organs go - Thaaaank You! You're ACHIEVING. Which for some reason, does us the world of good.

Keep it up. I know I do........

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Like your post as usual, love your Tags even better!! How do they do that!?! Next time Dan my boy, next time.

[danzargo Graduate]

Don't tell any of the others Oldgirl, but I edit the tags to make hilarious newspaper style headlines!!! Keep that to yourself though as if the others find out, they'll ALL be doing it!!!

[waletta Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Didn't notice the tags until Oldgirl pointed them out - Brilliant.

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Your secret is safe with me Dan

[Jigglemooce Graduate]

So funny, literally laughed out loud ( the old 'lol' ) .... you are a great storyteller, and a good motivator! Thanks for being on here!

[Miso_14 Graduate]

Oh thanks for that, could not have been reminded not to beat myself up in a better time!! I am no where near sub 30' 5k although I did it once but yes I run for 35'-40' nonstop and in your words I is doing it baby

[crox Graduate]

At the beginning of the programme would you have dreamed of running 5km in 30 mins? But those few seconds are bloody infuriating aren't they? I took 1m 10s off my pb last week, was I chuffed (well yes actually) but if only I'd run 2 seconds faster...

[Hules Graduate]

Great speech I feel very motivated to get the sub 30mins - some day soon I am sure! Thank you for your great posts

[Fentaz42 Graduate]

Bare feet!!? That's horrendous!

Not only for what you could actually stand on but come on, have you seen men's feet!!??

Nasty....

[danzargo Graduate in reply to Fentaz42]

agreed.

[notbad Graduate]

Lovely blog thanks for the chuckle, it's so true about the angel & devil thing (well, for me anyway!)

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Great blog... And what a weirdo ( naked guy not you)... I am also struggling to get my 5k under 30, I just can't nail it and then get all depressed , but I've decided I'm more of a long distance panther not a fast one!!! Which sadly sounds like more of a moggy!!

You are doing so well and it must be good news that the 'headlines' aren't shouting about your groin!!!