w9r3 parkrun

[rmnsuk]

I woke after a sleepless night and there was no excuse. The sky was grey but no rain, so dressed and left the house with my partner. The Parkrun is 5 minutes away, so a prefect warm up. I ran round the carpark when we got there 'cos it was cold and I was nervous.

The marshal told us what to do and I got in line with 250 other runners. Then we were off.

I was a bit too far back and had to walk the first few yards cos it was a bit crowded. But soon I got in behind three chaps who seemed to be doing about the right pace. I was a bit surprised to find a bit of a hill! No one had told me there were hills. There's no hills on a treadmill So round the lake and a long fairly muddy hill to the top of a huge field. I remembered reading a post yesterday - short steps, don't go fast. Then round and back to the country centre for the second lap. Neil shouted out 16:40. Woohoo perfect pace.

By this time my breathing was getting a bit ragged, but my legs were fine. More hills and I overtook a couple of people walking. My breathing was deteriorating and I had to start counting to keep it steady. I rounded the last corner and the country centre was in sight. Just a right turn and a hundred yards to the finish line. The last few yards were a trial, but I carried on and finished in 34 something. My mind went blank. I'll have to wait for the arrow valley results to find out my exact time. (Arrow Valley parkrun results for event #137. Your time was 00:33:22)

But I finished it and graduated in style.

My legs hurt

[old_git Graduate]

Congratulations! A graduation run to remember.

[pot58 Graduate]

Yahoo what a great way to graduate!!!!!

[Atalaya Graduate]

Congratulations - fantastic way to graduate and a cracking time too. Now go and get your shiny badge!

[GettingFitter Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating. Great pic and a good time too what could be better. Enjoy your running this is just the start

[katie_a Graduate]

Congratulations!! What a brilliant way to graduate, and a great time as well. I just did my first Parkrun this morning too - isn't it great?! It looks like you had a lovely blue sky for it as well.

[rmnsuk Graduate in reply to katie_a]

You too? fantastic. Hope you enjoyed it as much as me

[Hidden]

well done and congratulations , parkrun is great way to celebrate

[Hidden]

Hey ! You did it ! Fantastic ! How did you enjoy being off the treadmill and running outside ? Did your photographer get some good pics ? Great stuff....

[rmnsuk Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Running outside is different. Hills, dog poo, mud, cold, people. But it wasn't as difficult as I had built up in my mind. I did almost exactly the same time outside as on the treadmill, which surprised me. I think it was because its a very flat course and tarmac all the way. I didn't really struggle till 30 minutes in, so about the same as the treadmill. Neil got some photos so I'll probably be in the works magazine.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Congratulations! A great graduation run at a cracking pace. Well done

[poppypug Graduate]

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Youve only gone and flippin' well done it , not only that, but you graduated in style

Well done to you , fab stuff. !

Oh and dont forget to request your graduation badge, you gotta wear the bling

[MadeleineGenevieve]

AMAZING!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

Thanks everyone. Well chuffed and already thinking about next week.

[Buffy007 Graduate]

YOU DID IT! Well done. Amazing journey. You're on the other side now - so recently an intrepid beginner and now you've done it. Great day for you. Great pic.

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Congratulations, well done

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Congratulations, blimmin' well done! Beautiful pic too xx

[Mp63]

Good run great post inspiration to others