GWENDOLEN..........OH GWENDOLEN.: Now, I don't... - Couch to 5K

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GWENDOLEN..........OH GWENDOLEN.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor
35 Replies

Now, I don't want you to get the wrong impression of me, I am not just a fickle male who is dissatisfied with my lot, (far from it) but I am wondering whether to dump Gwendolen Runkeeper. I am an advocate of loyalty but I get the impression that Gwendolen is bored with me and it might be better for both of us if we had a break, maybe a trial separation.

Admittedly, my demands of her have increased recently, with my need to know not only time and distance every ten minutes and every kilometre, but also my average pace and current pace, plus now I need her to remind me of my fast pace intervals. She fulfills all these demands without complaint but tellingly, without enthusiasm.

I have tried to impress her with my twenty second sprint intervals, every five minutes. I am impressed by my twenty second sprint intervals, the velocity is truly remarkable and the sheep get very excited and rush around to tell one another when I change pace, as if they have never quite seen anything like it. (I am sure that they haven't). Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to excite Gwendolen, her response is only a terse, bored and laconic, “Next interval. Five minutes. Steady.”

Just a tiny glimmer of admiration and respect for my efforts would be appreciated, but no, she has seen it all before and I am obviously not matching up to the muscle bound efforts of the jocks that she is used to getting sweaty with. On my 8k run the other day, I swear she yawned, after telling me my current pace for kilometre number three.

I also do NOT appreciate her sense of humour. What is so funny about telling me that my current pace is 3.46mins/k, when I KNOW that I am struggling up the hill at approximately twice that pace? That is just cruel! And her long sullen silences, when she refuses to communicate with me at all, well, they are getting me down.

Maybe I am to blame. Have I taken her for granted.? Is she still jealous of my last long term relationship with Laura? I still have fond feelings for Laura, but let's face it, it's over. Yes, I admit to a brief fling with Dolores Endomondo, but she meant nothing to me, besides, that was before I even met Gwendolen.

That leaves me to ponder whether we get the running partners we deserve. The Panther Lady, has Silky Steve, who sounds like he could charm the running shorts off any woman. Meanwhile, I end up with cold, emotionless Gwendolen Runkeeper, who doesn't give me the impression that she considers me to be a real man at all.

With payment, I suppose, I could go elite and then maybe I would have access to Gwendolen's cheeky, cheerleading little sister, Trixie, but, she is a Pro and I refuse to pay hard earned dosh for her services. Yes, I am a tight wad. But that is why I am ploughing my lone furrow through the pure air of the Devon countryside, rather than wallowing in the testoterone flooded atmosphere of a sweaty gym down at the leisure centre.

So, advise me, fellow runners, are there any warm, friendly, enthusiastic and supportive (and free) voices out there to encourage me and aid the tracking of my training runs, or do I have to come to this forum for that.

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IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffe
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35 Replies
Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate

You should try Melinda Nike+. She's a real tease. But I like her.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Narmour

Hey, Narmour, that badge looks good. Does Melinda come up with the goods? Is she any good at inter.....I can't bring my self to say it........intervals...phwewww?

Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks! sure feels good too. I can't see any function on her to set intervals so I must assume that she works you hard and fast for the whole run. She's a minx that way.

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate

I'm a big fan of Lady Endomondo but Delia has chastised me for letting her near Dan's double-bagged giblets so I hesitate to recommend her sultry tones to you.

Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate

She doesn't do intervals though (at last I haven't figured out how to tempt one out of her!)

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate in reply to Narmour

No, I fear you're right about intervals although I confess I haven't explored everything she is capable of [yet].

Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate in reply to OldNed

She's capable of things that would make your toes curl...

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate in reply to Narmour

Better not tell me; I'm 63

Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate in reply to OldNed

I was going to say she would make your hair turn white but by the looks of your photo, she's already got you!! ;)

Nerdio profile image
NerdioGraduate in reply to Narmour

2 things..

1) She doesn't do intervals

2) He does...

What do I mean? I have Endomondo with a thoroughly decent chap (Jeeves?). Jeeves speaks frightfully clearly, and I half expect him to say things like "Good effort dear boy...". Jeeves does let me do intervals and I can program them as well. I did pay the princely sum of £3.99 for the 'Pro' version though.

Narmour profile image
NarmourGraduate in reply to Nerdio

Sorry I was still talking about Nike+... or Melinda as I like to call her. Must've replied in the wrong place. She's not complicated, but she works you hard. Intervals are beyond her though, I think she's a bit simple...

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate

Gwendolen's cheeky, cheerleading little sister Trixie? Hmm; she might turn out to be a right little Trixie Trouble. And if you've gotta pay her...

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate

Just luvin your post!! And you guys are just too much :D

Me? I have Graham Garmin; is silent but gets on with the job, what more can I say?! Might have to move on to his brother though; he is offering me more but at a price!

Sue

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to SBG356

Don't think I could cope with a butch man, he might make me feel inadequate too.

LMS2110 profile image
LMS2110Graduate

Phwoooarrrr.... Post of the week methinks! :D

Just look at the mildly porno tabs you've generated .... X-rated when you read them all as one sentence! LOL

I have my silent but drop-dead-gorgeous Gareth Garmin foreplayer 110.... Haven't yet found out all his 110 specialities. But he's a cutie

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to LMS2110

You're right about the tags and I didn't even edit them. Can Master Garmin 110 give you current pace?

LMS2110 profile image
LMS2110Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

I believe so, but to be honest I'm still getting to discover all his attributes - (will see if I can find the user guide and get back to you)

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

There's always Mandy Mapmyrun -doesn't specifically do intervals, well not on the free version anyway and I often feel she has stopped speaking to me. There is quite a lot she could tell you tho'

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate in reply to ancientrunner

Mandy MapMyRun led me astray, right through the boating lake in my local park. She's not to be trusted.

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate in reply to OldNed

Maybe she thought you'd like to try a tri -(athlon) ;-)

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate in reply to swanscot

Beat me to it!!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

You know what... I'd swing the other way and go with silky Steve.... He'll sort you out ( except he's 8.99 per hour)... Not bad considering.....

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to ju-ju-

I've never tried that .......but then again........ three months ago I didn't like running.

waletta profile image
walettaGraduate

You told me that it was a purely platonic relationship & I believed you. I really believed you. I feel so let down.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to waletta

It was....it is......absolutely nothing is going on. That's the problem.

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

Just thought - have you looked at the zombie app - hasn't been mentioned on here for a while and never seen it myself but from the descriptions I remember that sounded like it was probably interval based

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to ancientrunner

Zombies? I have to admit that I have never sought them out, but on balance are zombies preferable to Gwendolen?

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Well, I've always imagined it must be like having a bit part in Shaun of the Dead

Plinth profile image
PlinthGraduate

Brilliant post!

I run with Gwendolen too. Except I started to find her depressing, so I've forced her to shut up. Now she only tells me if I've hit 5k, and I'm getting faster without her going on all the time. It also means i can listen to my comedy podcasts without her chipping in. Besides, when we run the park run route she thinks its less than 5k so I don't entirely trust her! I use Laura's speed for intervals mind.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Plinth

Ah, so it's not just me who has trouble with her. I listened to the first few minutes of the C25k+ podcasts and was very resistant to the music. Gwendolen is keeping me on target but isn't very inspiring.

Plinth profile image
PlinthGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Ooh. Just updated ios and app - she's looking all shiney in her new frock!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Plinth

You mean Gwendolen is showing another side. I must have a peak, before my next run.

Maria211081 profile image
Maria211081Graduate

The fact is, guys, that you will never get over Laura. She is simply irreplaceable!

Mini13 profile image
Mini13Graduate

Laura has been with me until I finished my C25K, I ran with her for 9 whole weeks, she was great! Then my Dear Garmin joined me, he is great, very quiet but great! I can know my speed, time, pace and also can download into the PC and look at the track I have taken to run. Great buddy to run with. So far, he has never let me down. My music, Garmin and my running gear...all I need to run! So the money I spent to buy Garmin is well worth!

runningwild profile image
runningwildGraduate

...and Samantha ( bridge210k) hardly says a word! No mid run encouragement, only 'take it down for a minute' or 'Go'! At the end of an exhausting workout she says, 'Nice job!' 'Nice job????' I just ran for 40 minutes, my legs are falling off, I've forgotten my own name...sorry rant over...

It's true, Laura is irreplaceable, think I will be looking for 'another...

;)

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