I often think about posting messages on this site as I enjoy reading all the posts and have found them a brilliant source of inspiration and information. In the early days, I would compose a commentary while I was running, but then failed to post anything. So you have been warned ... this is a years worth of posting!
Like many others on this site, I was delighted and proud to graduate in December 2013 on my 54 th birthday. I was keen not to lose the momentum of the C25K programme and triumphantly set my graduation goals - run 10 km by my half year anniversary and run at least 5 km 3 times a week. Should be fairly straight forward ..... I tried the speed and stamina pod-casts, but didn't get on with them. I tried Sam Murphys B210K, but the first week pod-cast didn't work, so I did my own thing for a few weeks, pushing myself to run further and faster as quickly as possible. I tried to do too much, too soon and paid the price. A couple of injuries later and a few frustrating weeks on the couch, taught me to slow down and take notice of aches and pains!
By April I was making steady progress. Running three times a week really helped improve my fitness and I'd managed to run 8 km a couple of times. I tried Sam Murphy again and finished week 3 before a trip to Tokyo to visit my daughter. I planned a 5 km run around the Imperial Palace and gardens. However, a few days before the run, I managed to twist both my knees in a skiing accident (son crashing into me when he slipped on some ice). I could just about manage to walk, so my dream of running in an exciting location was over. I spent three weeks on the couch and started back slowly, doing one or 2 runs a week and not going very far. To cheer myself up, I invested in a Garmin 110.
I steadily improved and by November I was back to running 3 times a week and covering 6-7 km, but I was struggling to go any further. Then one day I set out to do 5 km. Bored with my normal run, on impulse I went in the reverse direction. I'd always avoided this route as I'd got it into my head that I'd be too tired to run up a hill in the middle or towards the end of my run, and normally got the hills out of the way while I was fresh at the beginning. So I'm at the end of the run, going down the last of three hills and feeling great. I looked at the Garmin and I'd covered 5.5 km so decided to add a short loop by running to the mill. The next thing I knew, I'd run 8 km and felt I could do a bit more. It dawned on me that 10 km was within reach. With a mixture of excitement and disbelief, I covered the final 2 km. I floated back home doing my 5 minute warm down walk with a big smile on my face and couldn't wait to tell anyone who would listen that I had just run 10 km in under 1hr 15 minutes.
I'm 55 tomorrow and thoroughly enjoying this running lark. I do the odd park run when I can and will make it a goal for next year to do more. I'm taking my son (18 years) and daughter (20 years) to have their gaits analysed so I can buy them both running shoes for Christmas. I persuaded them to try C25K in the summer, but due to various aches and pains, which I'm sure were caused by their shoes, didn't get past week 2.
Apart from injuries, I've come across swans on the canal path who hissed and wouldn't let me pass and had the footpath blocked by a pony who just wouldn't move, causing me to divert over muddy fields. I've been drenched by a shaggy dog jumping out of the canal and shaking his coat while his owner looked on without a word of apology. On the whole, people are friendly and keep their dogs under control. Cars slow down and give me a wide berth. I enjoy feeling part of this running community. Thanks everyone.
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Adventures at the local running club
Southend Half Marathon - 1:54:53 - Happy with the PB and running in 25 degrees is hard!
W8R3+1: Couch to 5k and the Blustery Day
Off the couch!
