This may sound a bit mental coming from someone who seems to spend more time on the injury couch than off, but I'm going to run 10k.
Yesterday I was at a party when a friend asked how my running was going. Oh,I said, I'm having a lot of problems with my knee at the moment so can't run. Immediately another friend launched into a speech about knowing your limits and how the time comes when you have to acknowledge that enough is enough and eventually you have to admit that you're too old to do certain things, like run.
Hummmmmm!! Now I am not the sort of person to start an argument by saying I've never heard such a load of old tosh in my life, so I took a deep breath and said "actually I'm going to run 10k. I've already got to 6.5k so I know I can do it. I just have to sort my knee out. " Cue stunned silence, not least from AncientDad!
So there you go, I've said it out loud so it must be true. Let the preparations begin. My knee in a right state so I'm going to a physio for advice. If I can't get referred quickly enough I'm going to go privately because I will do 10k. I will not have someone telling me I'm past it! I told myself that enough before I did c25k and I proved it's not true and I just don't believe it anymore. I've followed MissWobble's advice and sorted out the Jillian Michael fitness DVDs to improve my overall fitness and I'm going to drag my sorry self down to the swimming pool to (try) build my stamina by swimming until I can run again.
So my dear friends, if you think I'm slacking give me a cyber kick up the*** because I will do 10k, I will
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AncientMum
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Message received loud and clear AncientMum, there is no-way that anyone should be writing you off like that. I think those espousing such opinions are too unmotivated or lazy to attempt to achieve something themselves and are dragging everyone else down with them.
Well, not you! We shall be here cheering you on..every step of the way
Thanks Emily. I've watched your progress to 10k and found it really inspiring (incredibly tough, but inspiring) I know I'll never be up for the B210k method you did, but I will get there eventually
Go for it! And to your cynical friend, recommend they have a look at Fauja Singh's running career: he did his first marathon at 89, and has just done his last race (a 10k), aged 101.
Ypu most definitely will do it AM! As soon as you are able to run, take it easy and you will be just fine. I love your attitude, you are so positive - you show em! x
Your friend said WHAT? Some friend . Surely all you've achieved so far just proves you are not too old to run Makes my blood boil Age is only a number and bet you'll still be running when others are sitting in their bath chairs thinking about all the things they can't do cos they feel they are too old . Maybe friend a wee touch jealous . We all get injuries and maybe joints etc need bit longer to recover but that doesn't mean we give up . It doesn't matter your age, size, ability we are all proof we can run and we are all fantastic . Rant over. I've been thinking of 10 k race for ages and think this might just have spurred me on .You show them Ancient mum
Do you know what? The really sad thing is that she wasn't being mean or jealous, she just genuinely believed what she was saying -AND she's a couple of years younger than me. I almost feel I want to do it to show her what can be done if you truly want something. You go for that 10k race m'dear, you know you want to xx
You can do it Epic Mum, no problem ! I have downloaded my Asics plan for doing a 10k in May 2015, I start it in December, so from now until December I am concentrating on my overall fitness. You go girl , were made from strong stuff us Yorkshire girls xxx
Thanks Poppy m'dear. That Asics plan idea is a really good one and I'm probably going to copy it. I really like the idea of having something to work towards and I'll definitely be working on general fitness for a while yet before I can run again (Jillian Michaels here I come) . Yes we Yorkshire girls are tough and we get things done xxx
You can do it!! We all believe! Get that knee mended at you will show them anything is possible. We will be cheering you every step of the way! Go for it!!
Ha ha, that really made me laugh. Because, as you were saying it I bet you were thinking "what the hell am I saying?"! You just kept right on going, the words coming from your lips as if they were put there my someone else. The devil perhaps! You gone and done it now. In it up to your armpits. You kept right on digging when you could have stopped
So, now you can repent at leisure. Oh, sorry! No you can't !! You gotta swim, you have to get a round of Jillian Michaels in before tea time, then there's the cross training.......
I blame MrAncientMum. "Just look what you made me do!"
Ah MissW, were you in my head yesterday? How could you read my thoughts so well? Yes, Jillian is well and truly on the daily to do list. The swimming is also on the list but not daily because I really really hate it - I'm a proper 1length wonder, don't get my hair wet, don't splash me please type of swimmer. I'll probably do some brisk walking up the local steep hills too (the ones I was planning on including in my running route sob sob) May even try the static bikes at the local swimming pool. Oh my, what have I done?
Oh Kat, bad news! I didn't realise you were injured again. I thought you were running off into the distance, flicking your ponytail and leaving me to eat your dust Hope it's only a temporary niggle.
Tomorrow, I will be mostly asking the GP for a physio referral. Hope your run goes well. We will get there eventually!
These statements about being too old really annoy me too. My best friend often says "Isn't time to stop this daft running lark"!?! Good for you, I hope your knee settles down with help from physio. Just think about the World War 2 Veteran who didn't give up on his dream to attend the celebrations in France. He believed in his capabilities and came through with flying colours which I'm sure you will too
You're right OG. There are so many people out there achieving amazing things against the odds. It makes my little quest seem quite insignificant in the great scheme of things. I'm pretty sure it won't feel insignificant though lol
YAY! That's the way to do it! Speak before you're brain is in gear! Ouch, sorry that was NOT meant to be rude. I think that was the perfect reaction to those comments. You know we will all be behind you all the way. I'm sure you'll do just fine because you're not that far short even now and you will do it just to prove to them exactly what you are made of.
Thank you Beak, you are right, I did speak before engaging brain but I'm really glad I did. I'd been drifting along without a goal since graduating and now I know what I need to do- I've just got to get my knee fit enough to do it. Who knows, I may even do the Leeds 10k next year
Ah the sleek bouncy goddess-types with their sleek bouncy goddess ponytails. You mean you're not one of those mythical creature?? Thank goodness for that!!
What a load of hogwash! People in their 80s and beyond run marathons! GM, you are NOT 'past it' and can run 10K and well beyond that! I think having naysayers is good really as it spurs us on to success!
Definitely see a physio; I think this would be hugely beneficial, as would swimming too. That would help with cardio fitness, until you are running again, and afterwards too. Maybe even a gym too to do some non-impact cardio work?
You CAN run 10K; I have total faith in you and will support you every step of the way. Have you a course in mind? Something nice and flat would be great and don't worry about the time it takes either; completing 10K is a brilliant achievement no matter how long it takes.
Keep us updated in all aspects of it, from planning to running it. We're all here to help.
You're so right M_Y, there's nothing like a negative comment to raise the hackles and spur us on to greater things. I'm not sure the swimming will be hugely beneficial because I'm such a water-wimp but I'll give it a go anyway. It'll probably be more of a psychological thing for me -I find it really tough so it must be doing me good! I suspect the static bikes at the pool gym may be more useful.
Thank you for your encouragement sweetie. The support from you and all the lovely folks on here is so inspiring, like a big crowd cheering every single step. I'm going to copy Poppy's idea of downloading an Ascis training plan to work on when my knee is fixed. In the meantime I'll keep reporting my progress (or lack there of). I will get there eventually
I know we have to respect and listen to our bodies and I do agree BUT....... sometimes pushing a bit shows where the limits are, and quite often they seem to be a bit further than we think.
We have to try to see what we can achieve and be our best. I completely agree that no one should be telling you that you're past it! Pah and tosh I say!!
Pah! and tosh! indeedy. Thought I'd make a start this morning by walking to the local sports centre where the school I work at was having sports day. Only 3.5 miles. Ha! I thought. I could run that under normal circumstances, so I can definitely walk it (or so I thought) Unfortunately I hadn't factored in last night's torrential rain. Got about a mile before the road was completely blocked by massive flooding. Grrr! The best laid plans... etc. had to go back and fetch the car. Oh well, I tried
I used a 10 k training plan! A girl has to have a plan! I used one written by Julie Creffield, the outsize lady runner, who has written a few Kindle books and blogs about being an overweight runner. She runs marathons so knows what she's on about. I bought the kindle book for a few quid and once you have that it allows you to access the training plan. She tells you what you should be doing each day to make sure you're ready for the big day, whether it be swimming, yoga, run, planks, Burpees, etc etc I followed it and used the Jillian Michaels DVD's for the exercises. I typed it up so I can let you have it
You just alter the days around to suit your timetable
Yay Kat, we can form a synchronised swimming team -the 1 length, water wimps, admission free for anyone who a) swims without getting their hair wet and b) only swims in the lanes next to the side.
It's so long since I've been in a pool the Lycra in my cossie's perished. It's now transparent in some parts and like seersucker in others. Ooo do I spy an excuse to visit SD again??
It has all been said but just wanted to add my support, you will do what ever you put your mind to doing, as you have already proved by becoming a runner, graduating C25K and beyond. Just make sure you keep us all up to date with regular posts
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now there's a thought...... Thanks GM
I've no doubt you will crack the 10k 
That's it I've graduated!!!! Week 9 - Final Run
I've done it!!! 
Yes!!!! W9R3 .... I've done it!!!!
Will I be running, still out running......when I'm 64
Wow, I've done it... I've graduated!
