Parkrun - 23:18 - Also got promoted at work!

[Aftabs]

Hi all!

It wasn't a good week for my running but apart from that it was an excellent week!

I mentioned in my blog last weekend that I didn't run the previous week because I was preparing for an interview at work. Well I was successful and that meant I skipped one run because I was celebrating and then skipped another one because the weather on Thursday was horrible.

It was a great way to (almost) finish the year; lost 26kgs, took up running, ran a half marathon in 1:57, 10km in 50:30, 5km in 22:28 and promoted to manager at work! I work for Ford so I'll now get a new car every 5 months.

Completing C25K gave me a lot of confidence, as did all the encouragement that I got from everyone on this great forum. I have advocated C25K to colleagues at work (including a few overseas) and everyone knew what I was doing because I was fundraising when I was training for the half marathon. Also the weight loss was obvious to everyone too (have a look at my profile pic). I can't say if this had an impact in managements decision, it shouldn't because work performance is what should matter, but I think that I demonstrated characteristics that could not have harmed my case.

Today was my first run since last Sunday's 10km. I will run another 10km tomorrow and then start my interval training programme up again to try and beat my 5km PB. I ran the first 2.5km in reasonable time but then started to flag and was pretty much on my own so didn't have anyone to race with to push me along. So hopefully I can get back to the training and start to chip away at the times again!

Happy running all and here is a link to my run:

connect.garmin.com/activity...

[notbad Graduate]

Congrats! It's good to read about the spin offs your new life style has had, I think for many it can certainly increase self confidence and that shines out.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks and yes it has increased my confidence.

[sfb350 Graduate]

Well done and I'm sure your determined attitude and approach to training (and life) will have had a positive impact on your interview and promotion. Very inspiring.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Thank you!

[OlsBean]

Excellent time, way to go and congratulations on the promotion.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to OlsBean]

Thanks and I am hoping for another PB some time in December!

[deb54 Graduate]

Looks Iike you are half the man you were, and sounds like you are twice the man you were! Well done Aftabs!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to deb54]

Thanks!

[Landesman Graduate]

Fully deserved Aftabs. Great results. Congratulations.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Landesman]

Thank you!

[Fattytumtum Graduate]

Well done, Here's to 2014 and more success

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Fattytumtum]

Thank you. I am planning for another half marathon and a sub 20 min 5k.

[Fitfor60 Graduate]

What a year you have had Massive congratulations for all your achievements

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Fitfor60]

Thank you!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Well done and some brilliant achievements going on there. Congratulations on your promotion.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks!

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Well done Aftabs, as ever an inspiration to us all.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thank you!

[squaremum Graduate]

Smiles all round, you've had a brilliant year, well done!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to squaremum]

Thanks! I would never would have thought I could have made this progress when I started, but now that I have I keep thinking I should have done this years ago. I guess most of us feel the same.

[nextjenn Graduate]

Massive well done! I'm sure the commitment you have shown with your fitness has in a way influenced them. Who cannot admire that kind of strength and determination? Congrats!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to nextjenn]

Thank you!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

What a lot of achievements in one year... From couch man to bionic man!!!!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

...and thank you for all the kind words and encouragement over the past 6 months!

[rockchick69 Graduate]

Congratulations and really well done with your fantastic year.

[janda Graduate]

I'm a bit late in seeing this but what a fantastic, inspiring post Aftab. Great to see you going from success to success. Congratulations on those times and all the other positives, especially the promotion. Ford will benefit from your focus (no pun intended) and your enthusiasm. Hope to catch you again at another race. I must post again soon too. All the best. James

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to janda]

Thanks James. Let me know when you sign up for another race and I will see if that fits into my plans. I am focussing on getting the 5km times down at the moment and will stick with that for a month or so and will then re-evaluate.