GWENDOLEN, OH GWENDOLEN - PART TWO: A few months... - Couch to 5K

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GWENDOLEN, OH GWENDOLEN - PART TWO

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor
25 Replies

A few months ago I posted here about my dissatisfaction with Gwendolen Runkeeper, who never seemed very enthusiastic when announcing my times and distances while on a run. This morning, on my first tracked run for a couple of weeks, I was almost stopped in my tracks, before I had even started running. I was psychologically braced for Gwendolen’s terse announcement of the run ahead of me, when a soft, gentle, English lady told me, almost apologetically, that my workout had started. My brain raced, while my body froze. “Gwenny, my dear, are you there?” I almost said out loud, before taking a deep breath and starting to run, thinking that maybe my brain was scrambled and that time would sort this one out.

Now, I had accused Gwendolen of being cold and indifferent, at best, towards my running feats. She seemed decidedly unimpressed and had a very cruel sense of humour randomly announcing current pace rates that were unobtainable by mere mortal me, just as I was struggling to keep moving at all. So, as I approached my first kilometre and my first notification, I was all ears (well, not all ears, but you know what I mean) and then she spoke again “Distance, one point zero kilometres. Time, six minutes fifteen seconds. Current pace, six minutes fifteen seconds.”

This was bizarre, instead of the brusque American chick, who needs to be impressed, I had a caring, nurturing, convent school educated, home counties lady (there is no other word for her) encouraging me onwards to greater things. The words were the same, but the tone completely different. It was like having Julie Andrews spurring me on with benign reassurance, personally and comfortingly delivered in dulcet tones, for my ears only.

I was intrigued. Was this lady, I have decided she sounds like an Annabel, going to inspire me to greater achievements? After all, she seemed to be offering me everything on a plate, that Gwendolen always held back. I couldn’t wait for my next notifications.

Each time Annabel spoke up I listened attentively, as if we were on a first date and with a soft smile in her voice, she reported my improving kilometre times and I slowly warmed to this alluring stranger. Then she did it. She showed that, like Gwendolen, she is not to be trusted. With her polished RP delivery she warmly announced, “Distance, four point zero two kilometres. Time, twenty five minutes, twelve seconds. Current pace, thirteen minutes fifty two seconds.”

Now, when Gwendonlen insults me with an absurd current pace, and a snort of derision, I take it on the chin, grit my teeth and push on. When Annabel does it, one can feel nothing but total patronisation and betrayal. Just like an assassin smiling as they twist the knife. Ouch!!

My times for the run were nothing special, but I accept that the ankle deep slurry that I was running through (and the fact that I wasn’t trying to run fast) was probably more to blame, rather than the demure Annabel’s commentary. Gwenny has become an integral part of my running, like the mud splashed up my legs or the callous on my right foot. I was not sure that I can cope with such a drastic change in my running life.

Then I had a thought. Maybe she is just sizing me up. Maybe the technology has reached the point where the tone of notifications will respond to the effort that I put in. When I do a PB, Annabel will show another side of her character and whoop like a cheerleader and when my pace drops she will sneer and abuse me for my pathetic attempts. If I can only get over the occasional sarcastic exaggeration of my current pace and the simpering Mary Poppins delivery, then maybe I have found the running companion of my dreams.

Only time will tell. Here’s to a new year running with Annabel.

Keep running, keep smiling.

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IannodaTruffe
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25 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Thanks for making me laugh out loud!

I think she's a siren. She's going to reel you in and smoke you like a kipper. She's got you hooked already!

I shall tune in for the next thrilling installment. I dare say Annabel will be more motivation to get out there than Gwendoline ever was

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to misswobble

What are you laughing at? This is serious stuff!

I don't think I trust her, but we shall see......

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

Annabel is really a man in drag, playing with your sensitive running emotions. Either that, or she's the alter ego of Gwendolen and each one plays you off the other, like some sort of pygmy shrew being tossed from cat to cat.

Well done for swimming through slurry though. That can't have been much fun.....

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to danzargo

In your first scenario, I am not sure how I am going to ascertain the true gender of Annabel. She sounds all woman to me.

In your second scenario, I am not sure that I like being compared to a pygmy shrew, Dan.

The slurry was fine because I knew the lane was flooded with six inches of water further on so I could wash my shoes off then. The things you do when running.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Apologies there IDT. Of course I wasn't comparing you to a shrew (pygmy or otherwise). It was more an attempt at something far more light hearted. As is my wont of course. On a separate note.....how do you dry your shoes off? Doesn't it take days?

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to danzargo

No offence was even considered.

Stuff them with newspaper...works wonders.

lizziebeth57 profile image
lizziebeth57Graduate

Great post as always... But I now have chim chimminey chim chim cheroo running around my head.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to lizziebeth57

Thank you. Sorry.

caj62 profile image
caj62Graduate

Floozies, the pair of them. Beware.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to caj62

My paranoia is getting out of control. I just thought, what if on my next run, I don't have Gwendolen or Annabel, but I have to deal with Sheila from the Antipodes.............

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Such betrayal. Us women, hey. I am sure you will get used to her just like you got used to gwenny. You can blame the bad pace on her as well, as an introduction should of been made with something this personal. They should of sent you an email saying please can we introduce you to Annabel please test run her. Well that sort if thing if you know what I mean. Hehe.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Realfoodieclub

I agree RFC, the Runkeeper organisation should have given me notice of something so potentially pace diminishing. I will have to sue.......Oh no, Sue is another one!

Jenwrenarm profile image
JenwrenarmGraduate

Don't trust her. She'll make you love her and then have you decorating.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to Jenwrenarm

Ah, no problem there, I don't let her into the house.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

She doesn't need to be let into your house as she's already in your psyche. Too late! You're doomed I tell ye

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to misswobble

Aha, I have a secret weapon, to be used in extremis, should these women become intolerable. The off switch.

I look forward to reading the next instalment of this budding romance :-)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to

I heard he's two-timing her with the speaking clock woman. Don't say I said so though will you, I don't want to get into trouble. Ssh ...

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to misswobble

Malicious slander! I gave up on her years ago.......impossible to get a word in edgeways.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to

Your avatar pic just changed before my eyes, vonnyliz. I worry for my sanity and I will have you know I am a happily married man.

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate

I don't have any of this trouble with Dolores Endomondo!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply to OldNed

But OldNed, the Latins are so temperamental..........am I allowed to say that?

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Oh, surely not....I find Dolores a model of restraint! Mind you, I haven't tested her on flamenco yet ;)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to OldNed

I don't know, you boys are so swayed by soft voices and ponytails. Happy running chaps

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate in reply to misswobble

Yep, guilty as charged! :)

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