I'm "Going Live...."

[AllieG]

...nothing to do with Philip Scofield or Gordon the Gopher, or that other fella who's name I've forgotten... Oh, Andy Peters! Anyway back to the point.

Apart from Parkrun, I haven't done any "proper" timed races other than an ill-fated 10k years ago in Wiltshire, which I thought would be easy and full of farmers in wellies and a laugh. It was actually up a lot of hills, was taken very seriously with a lot of running clubs, and no laughing at all. That's when I thought "sod that" and stuffed my trainers into the back of the wardrobe.

Now that I'm taking this running malarkey seriously and treating it with the respect it deserves, I thought it was time I looked at a few localish race-type thingies.

I'm starting with an official 5k that isn't Parkrun, it is at the same time as the St Albans HalfM. Other Half is doing the Snorbans Half, while me and the nearly-teen are doing the 5k. Then in October there is an 8k women-only race along the Undercliff (trying to get a team of 4, have 3 so far, toying with putting OH in a dress) and then... Drum-roll please... Brooks Brighton 10k in November. Yikes. This is fast, quite competitive and I think I may have gone a bit loopy.

Having always insisted that I am NOT interested in bling, it looks like I may be persuaded. If someone had told me this time last year that I would be hatching these plans I really would have laughed in their face before stealing their Pringles.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Horses for courses Allie. As long as we are doing these things because it's something we want to do and think it will be enjoyable (including the training) then there is really no downside.

All the best for that nice looking 'schedule'.

[AllieG Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Thanks, Dunder. I'm still a bit nervous about running in a pack as well truth be told, but I think Parkrun is getting me used to that.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Bling is the thing! For the last 10 months I've done one event every month to give me focus. It turns all of my three-per-week runs into training sessions with an objective and, with the bling, a tangible prize at the end.

[poppypug Graduate]

Whoa ! Fab Allie, nowt like booking a few events to get you focused !

Oh I love running in a pack , its brilliant ! The adrenaline and the spectators will get you around the course, you feel on top of the world , its amazing !

On our race numbers for the GMR, you also had your name printed, but my hubby suggested getting my name put on in big letters on my T-Shirt . It was a really good idea , cos loadsa people shouted my name and shouted " Keep going "

Once you get one under your belt I bet you will be well and truly hooked ! xxx

[AllieG Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Ooh, good idea!