Dark runnings and Freddo treats!: Hello everyone... - Couch to 5K

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Dark runnings and Freddo treats!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate
25 Replies

Hello everyone :)

OK, so I went camping at the weekend ( I'm a virgin camper), and I was really anxious but hubby and kids made me go! I packed my running gear but I HAD NO IDEA WHERE I WAS...I would have been lost in the wilderness, so I didn't run ( naughty girl).

Anyway....

I was aware I am on my HM training ( Juicyju stylie) and I needed to do something...SO.

Mr Juicyju had strict instructions to push me out of bed at 5.15 this mornng. He did...and flipping heck I so wanted to roll over and pull the duvet back over my head...

In my head..' Come on Ju, you know you want to ( no I don't I'm tired)'...'OK so you can't do a HM then ( oh f*** it OK then I'm getting up)'

Preps: Kit on , vaseline ( lips), water, head torch ( oh yesss I'm a pro now) and silky steve in my ears.

I walk out into the darkness, and blimey I felt my t**s were going to freeze. Perhaps my running vest was a bit ambitious in northerly winds?

Off I go...oh wow, its dark, its exciting, I'm blinding all the yorkie munching lorry drivers ( oh yessss), and I'm in full panther mode.

Amazing, just me, my running, the darkness and my inner panther. Really carnal and at one with nature, it was exhilarating. I have to admit to a few dances on the way.

No records were broken...9.3k in one hour, but what a great run.

Then back to the madness of kids breakfasts, homework, then off down the M5 for a 9am start to a busy day. I treated myself to my favourite birthday pressie ( freddo frogs X4)..well I deserved it!!!

So...for all you runners wanting to hide under the duvet...find your inner panther, get that head torch on and just run...and most importantly, enjoy it...

Juicyju

x

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ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-
Graduate
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25 Replies
Jefna profile image
JefnaGraduate

Wow you did well to get out of bed...I think I need an inner panther! I've always been an afternoon/evening runner you see!

And what a great time too, especially in the dark! Well done, your HM training is well under way!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Jefna

Thankyou..I hope so, its scary!!

SarahP0003 profile image
SarahP0003Graduate

Out at 5.15? AM??? Much respect to you!!! Sounds like a great run too

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to SarahP0003

Thankyou!!

Plinth profile image
PlinthGraduate

What is this 515 of which you speak?

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Plinth

ha ha...I know, it was a bit nightmare like!!!

katee1958 profile image
katee1958Graduate

well done, that is what I call commitment :)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to katee1958

Thankyou!!

Poppy2010 profile image
Poppy2010Graduate

Aaah, 5.15 meant only another hour of night shift before the train home for me today (on Friday it will be getting on the train to work time, 30 minutes after getting up! ) All praise to you for your pantheresque efforts; I have never chosen to be up then but if I go for the hm & marathon next year I may have to join you! :'(

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Poppy2010

Oh babes, I feel your pain, I used to do nights in A and E in London...7 on and 7 off, and it was the hardest thing I have ever ever done.....EVERY respect to you...marathons will be a piece of cake for you :)

Malcy profile image
MalcyGraduate

If I've said it once, I've said it I don't know how man times. You're turning into (or already are) one hell of a C25K-er. Only 9.3 in an hour? Only? And in the middle of the night? Uurgh - gimme the duvet any time. Especially 5:15 a.m. (:->)

Keep up the fantastic work Juicy. Our truly amazing panther.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Malcy

thankyou so much Malcy that means alot coming from you....panthering is definately my future, it helps!!!

Malcy profile image
MalcyGraduate

Oh - and I meant to say "happy birthday"

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Malcy

Thankyou....I'm not a huge fan of birthdays.....not since my 40th

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Freddie frogs well deserved one for getting up at that time, two for the run time and definitely three for your birthday. Well done you master panther.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thankyou....you strike me as a panther too

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thanks RFC for reminding me of this... And I went out this morning... 5k in 28 minutes I'm a happy Panther again :)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

My pleasure, glad your a happy Panther again.

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate

Crikey Moses; 5.15???? Big respect, Mrs Panther!!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to OldNed

Thankyou....Mr Canada!!

Landesman profile image
LandesmanGraduate

Wow, I'm a morning person but even so 05:15 is definitely worthy of considerable respect. You're laying a claim to being a seriously dedicated runner - and if you try to tell non-runners what you do at 5:15, they may think you barking (may be best to keep that bit quiet at work... ;-) )

Not being a chocolate person I had to google freddo frogs (thought they might be something to do with Freddie Flintoff, but no, sadly) . Hmm, glad you enjoyed your birthday treat but not sure that really works with the panther image ...

So how did you like the camping? It's great to sleep outdoors, but I seldom have an unbroken sleep when I do (even when dog-tired).

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Landesman

Thankyou...but aha...Freddo's are panthering food as you can bite their heads off...panther style. Caming was OK, but I would have preferred wildernesss not sterile camping with people in huge mega 'home from home' tents!!! How is your injury..and the Spanish???

Landesman profile image
LandesmanGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

More Freddie Starr than Freddie Flintoff then!

Ah yes, that can sometimes be the polar opposite of wilderness camping (something I find scarily appealing).

Thanks for asking - I can't feel the hamstring any more which is good (especially after two boring weeks of exercises), but won't test it out for another week.

We're driving across into Spain tomorrow at sparrows' fart, with lunch in Zaragoza or Teruel and supper near Alicante. We have been warned that it's getting cooler (only 27C or so... ;-) ).

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

That sounds amazing... And I am so pleased your hamstring injury is getting better... Not long now and you'll be running free...enjoy that beautiful trip...I'm v jealous!!

MrsMozzer profile image
MrsMozzerGraduate

I think I'm going to invest in a head torch - the street lighting around my way is appalling and the pavements so uneven that my running technique is starting to look totally bizarre (knees up in a frantic attempt not to trip over lifted flagstones, tree roots etc. I fall over easily enough when I'm stationary without going a*** over t** during a run).

Although I've only just graduated, I am now hearing the call of distances. I get to 5k and still want to keep going because I've found my groove. Am planning a longer route for Sunday during the day (so I can see where I'm going and people can see me although I do have my pink Ronhill jacket so I'm not completely invisible in the dark (it's SO pink!!) Do you think my inner panther is trying to get out? Certainly hope so because it would explain alot.

And a belated happy birthday Juicyju - hope the Freddo's hit the spot x

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