10 (1979): So, after nearly two years from... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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10 (1979)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate
53 Replies

So, after nearly two years from starting this programme, restarting it 3 times, several months on the injury couch for minor injuries and increasing mileage too quickly (should have known better) today I finally ran my first 10K! And what a feeling!

I've been building up half a kilometer a week since October and a week ago I ran 9K. I was due for my long run today and thought I might go for 10. Anyway, I had a great night's sleep, had my porridge for breakfast, the sun was shining and there was no wind so I thought " this is the day. I'm going for it. The whole lot".

The run was beautiful. There was still lots of horrible looking ice on some paths and I had to continuously look ahead to check where the sun was and where it was icy and had to to go onto the rough and mud. It was so icy I even slipped on the leaves! I felt strong throughout and it was a fabulously memorable run but I did experience two sets of people, really lovely, thoughtful people and total wa**ers.

Two lovely gentlemen warned me about very icy paths up ahead and advised me not to run on them but take a different path (how kind was that?). Then there were the others. One group of dog walkers took up the whole width of the path, they didn't move when they saw me coming so I had to run on the rough to avoid them. The next thing I knew a dog leash was blocking my way and I had to stop completely to avoid tripping over it. You know the really long ones. Not one word of apology. With tongue bitten I ran on.

I met another two groups of dog walkers who more or less refused to budge and their dogs started chasing me. But I ran faster hee hee and got away from the bu**ers! But honestly, what is it with some people?

Anyway, rant over. Nothing could spoil my mood today. I met two other runners and we exchanged a few pleasantries and afterwards I did feel like I belonged to this special club, this running club. " they think I'm a runner" I thought. Then remembered "but I am a runner".

I have to thank Rignold for his 4 hour epic music playlist. It made a huge difference to how I felt on this run and because the playlist was new to me I didn't know what was coming up next so it was very inspiring. The music was fabulous and I really did imagine I was in my own film! So, thanks Rignold. Didn't manage the whole 4 hours but some day perhaps!

I think I experienced the "runner's high that I've heard about but to be honest have not experienced myself. I was feeling fantastic, I had a huge smile on my face, all was right with the world and just before the bleep at 10K I thought "I could run for fu**ing forever!". The bleep came and I did a little dance there in full view of everyone and punched the air! What a feeling!

Total time running 1.11.10 which I thought wasn't bad considering I had to manoeuvre the ice, ruddy dogs and two gates.

With the Sports England TV ad in mind, " this girl did".

Happy running everyone.

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Irishprincess profile image
Irishprincess
Graduate
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53 Replies
Doodle1 profile image
Doodle1Graduate

Fantastic achievement Irishprincess. I'm feeling your happy vibes and smiling with you. Three cheers for Irishprincess.......hip hip hooray ...hip hip hooray ...hip hip hooray.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Doodle1

Thank you so much Doodle. Still smiling!

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

Well done Irishprincess :)

That sounds like an excellent run. The weather was nice here too. I didnt quite manage your distance this morning, I did 9.65km, with no gates or ice :)

Yes I think you get the nice folk, and the ignorant folk everywhere.

I'm happy to say that the nice folk normally well outnumber the ignorant ones.

I know it is really annoying when a group coming towards you takes up all of a wide path. I have to say that when that happens I normally greet them cheerily and if they still take up all of the path then I just barge my way through :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Zev1963

Oh that's a good idea Zev about just charging through but I don't think I could have done that with the first group as they had too many dogs on those pesky leashes! Well done on your run too. Fab.

Wow what a fab read! It seems to be turning out to be a great weekend for PB's!!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to

Thank you Ali. I think the cold weather suits a lot of runners rather than the heat.

in reply to Irishprincess

I'd agree with that. I know we've had a relatively mild winter so far but I always end up stripping off. Can't imagine what I'm going to be like when it gets warmer.

Rob_and_his_westie profile image
Rob_and_his_westieGraduate

Stuff the tme, stuff the people, stuff the dog. What you did today was an achievement of epic proportions. Congratulations.

That runners high, that buzz, that feeling on top of the world is yours now. You deserve it.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie

What lovely words. Thank you so much Rob. Still buzzing!

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

Amaaaaaaazinnnnng! Well done. What a great post. What is it with some idiots who can clearly see you coming but refuse to adjust their position to let you pass? It aint easy changing direction when you're running is it? I know exactly what you mean. But high five to you for a stunning 10K!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to danzargo

Thank you Dan. Yeah it's not as if they can't see me. I usually wear really bright colours!

Woohoo ! Look at you..great stuff...

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to

Thank you henpen.

Melly2 profile image
Melly2Graduate

Yesss!!! Congratulations! Lovely post and most importantly I hope you are enjoying that post 10K high!! Awesome time too :) well done

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Melly2

Thank you Melly. Yes I'm still on a high, drinking tea and dunking biscuits!

EustacuaVye profile image
EustacuaVye

Hi IrishPrincess. Fantastic.

I am on my third attempt, and struggling. Just finished week 4 but really really feel like packing it in. I would love to know what has kept you going. My leg muscles ache, I think I have mild shin splints and my stamina is rubbish

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to EustacuaVye

Thank you for your kind words and I'm sorry you are struggling at the minute. The only thing that has kept me going is me and this forum. I am very single minded and once I make up my mind to do something then I will do it. That's important to me and something I've lived by. This forum has also been amazing and so supportive so you should post often and we will get you through this. Good luck.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

'This Girl Did' indeed. What a lovely post, and well done for such a fantastic achievement, IP. Now, re-read JJ's posts and aim for the next distance!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to MarkyD

Thanks very much MarkyD. Feeling very chuffed. I know JJ's posts well and have followed her progress but I don't think I'll be going for a marathon any time soon! Having said that I never thought I'd run 5K!

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate

Well done you! I am going to confess something about dog walkers because I think we might share a similar sense of humour. I know this is unkind and passive-aggressive and horrid BUT... I really take delight in befriending the dogs of grumpy slow-moving fog walkers and having a nice run with the dogs so the path-blocking curmudgeons have to do an awkward little breathless jog to catch up with their errant pet, who would usually much rather run with me than walk with them. Maximum enjoyment can be extracted by singing out "oh dear, sorry!" In your best 'I'm breathing totally normally because I am a f***ing ninja' voice while they clutch their knees and clip the lead back on.

Obviously I don't condone this behaviour. And I am probably going to end up a lonely old cat lady with no friends. But it does help ;).

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to the_tea_fairy

Oh love it tea fairy! Why didn't I think of that? Will definitely try it next time.

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

Wonderful Princess, just wonderful! I'm so pleased for you :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to AncientMum

Thank you AM. ( would do a smiley face if my iPad let me!)

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

IP: Colon dash closing-bracket : - ) and the website turns it into :-)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to MarkyD

Thanks MarkyD but if doesn't seem to work for me.

: - )

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

Thats brilliant, CONGRATULATIONS, ! I really enjoyed reading your post, its inspired me to get out there in a min:)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to aliboo70

Thank you aliboo I hope you managed to get out!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply to Irishprincess

i did!:) a 5k on the seafront, cold but made me make my 20k total for the week so happy with that! :)

superb IP :D really pleased for you , 10K is such a milestone :D :D

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to

Thank you Rob. I know, who'd have thought?

in reply to Irishprincess

Isnt it amazing what we can really do :-D

JohnBlake profile image
JohnBlakeGraduate

Well done, IP! How proud you must feel! And your post is inspirational! It's going to help me, and many others, I'm sure.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to JohnBlake

John many thanks for your words. I do feel proud ( oh dear isn't that one of the seven deadly sins?).

GettingFitter profile image
GettingFitterGraduate

Superb IP what a great achievement and a very good time for your first ever 10k. So pleased for you! Well done - make sure you stretch and rest !!!!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to GettingFitter

Thank you GF. I did stretch a lot yesterday and rest a lot! No aches today at all which I'm amazed by. Might do a little run tomorrow to keep everything moving!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Yeah IP, take a doggy bic on your next run. Here doggy, come a nice run with Auntie IP.

So, IP! What's all this then! 10KKKKKKKKKKKKKK!! Yesssssssssssssssssss, you've only gone and bl*ddy done it! Well done indeedy. You must be thrilled with that. Now you've done one though you do realise they're addictive. You won't be able to stop yourself now

I love a 10 k I really do and you will too. Great distance to have under your belt. Not far off from a 10 mile now. I hope you've had a lovely day of celebration to mark the occasion

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to misswobble

Take a doggy biccie! Fab. But then I'd have loads of bl**dy dogs running after me every time I went out!

Thanks a lot for your reply Misswobble. I absolutely loved that run and can't wait to do another. Not sure if I should do a 10K every week or less often. What do you think?

I've signed up for a 10K race in May and am trying to get another one in March, but at the minute I'd just be happy doing one a week. (Never thought I'd ever type those words!).

1968u profile image
1968uGraduate

You certainly did babe!! Well done!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to 1968u

Thank you!

Parky-Park profile image
Parky-ParkGraduate

Absolutely amazing, well done! I'm new to the forum (just completed W4R2) and you are a complete inspiration to me! I'd love to be able to do what you have just achieved one day. Thanks so much for such a fabulous post. Happy running everyone!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Parky-Park

Thank you so much Parky-Park. What a lovely thing to say. It means a lot to me. Welcome to this fabulous forum. What, you've got to week 4 and not posted! I look forward to seeing your posts from now on and telling us all how you're getting on. Enjoy this fantastic experience.

Parky-Park profile image
Parky-ParkGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Thanks, Irishprincess, I was a little shy at first but when I saw how friendly everyone was I couldn't resist joining in! W4R3 tomorrow and I can't wait (I never thought I'd say that)! I'll let you all know how I get on.....

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

Fantastic, well done you it sounds lovely....

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

Thank you JJ. Fab run.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Aw Well done Princess, Amazing stuff , AMAAAAAZING !!!

Fab , fab post , I am so so pleased for you. Many Congratulations to you , you well and truly nailed it Missus !

Enjoy your rest , you deserve it :-) xxx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to poppypug

Oh Poppy I've just logged in and you've changed your profile! Is that really you? Lovely to see you at last.

Thank you so much for your support and lovely words. You're the best. xx

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Yes this is me :-D Thanks Princess xxx

Vixchile profile image
VixchileGraduate

What a great post!! What a fantastic sounding run apart from the rude people! Why don't people move, why don't people keep their animals under control. I mean is it really that hard to move over slightly and keep your dog under control? congratulations on smashing that 10km with an amazing time too!! Happy running

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Vixchile

Thank you so much Vixchile. It is obviously hard for some people to move just a little. Maybe I'm invisible!

sixteenandslim profile image
sixteenandslim

Well done! Sounds brilliant - this is my goal, I've just finished Week One Day One... still a long way to go yet. But congrats to you, you should be proud of yourself :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to sixteenandslim

Thank you sixteenandslim (great name btw). Welcome to this great forum and well done for getting the first run done.

catch profile image
catchGraduate

Well done you. I'm thinking of doing something similar in the spring, when the mornings are lighter (thats when I run) so it is great to see someone has done it and succeded! Congratulations again!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You could do a 10 k every week, when you have plenty of time. If not, then every other week or one in four. Just do em reg'lar shall we say! LOL

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