I know I said I never would...

[Curlygurly2]

...but I've just done my first race! I was still filled with the horrors following a bad experience last year, so I chose this one as it would be fairly easy and certainly within my abilities - the Subway 5K for Heart Research around Jesus Green and Midsummer Common in Cambridge.

It was a well organised , fun event, about 360 runners, many of them children, or parents with prams. I started near the front, but was quickly overtaken - I never said I was fast! Still, I got a PB 36.57, a good 2 or 3 minutes faster than I've ever done, I'm very happy with that! I think I came in about 300th, there was no chip timing, but we estimated how many finished after me. I wasn't last!!! The winner did it in about 20 minutes including the optional obstacle course at the finish!

The weather was perfect, cool and little drizzly. BaldyBoy kindly carried my jacket and positioned himself around the course to take photos for me. There's even a video of my sprint (ha ha) finish!

I won a medal, and a Subway sandwich!

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Well done! I keep saying I won't do a race either. Wonder if I ever actually will??!!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

PS I thought you were back in France now? Was that just a flying visit?!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

I'm still in UK, I came in the middle of May, we usually come home for a few weeks around now. Monday this week we went to Porto, do you remember my trip in January was cancelled because BB was sick? We got a credit on the hotel but we had to use it within 6 months, and up until very recently it wasn't possible to fly there from where we are in France. Sadly our chicken restaurant there has closed down between January and now

Going back to France early next week, via my fave little town on the coast in Spain

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Me too. It would have to be really, really fun. And probably involve water.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

That's great Curly! Nice picture, you look so happy. And that's a huge pb improvement - I think the race atmosphere pulls us along. Will you do another fun race?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Yes, I think I actually started too fast, I was knackered at the end, but yes I was very happy! I'll probably do another, I just need to be a bit choosy about which I do. For me the emphasis has to be on fun, some people take it all a bit seriously...

[millwalki8 Graduate]

Fantastic, great video on the other link too.

I had nothing to do on Sunday, wish I had heard of it, I may have popped down and done it too

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to millwalki8]

I thought it was really badly publicised, I just happened to see a poster last week on a bus shelter - last week!???? I was surprised anyone knew about it!

As for the vid, you'll recognise me next time you're sitting in traffic and I come clomping along!

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

That's excellent. Well done you!!!! xx

[poppypug Graduate]

Brilliant Curly ! Well done, you look great xxx

[misswobble Graduate]

Great stuff Curly. Sounds like a fab day all round, medal as well. Well done😊

[operation2015 Graduate]

Wow well done!!!

[RainbowC Graduate]

Wishing we still lived in Cambridge - looks like a fun one (and not too many hills!) Well done, Curly!

In the 2 1/2 years since I first tried running, I've done one Race for Life (two years ago) and one 10k (8 days ago). Now I have a friend here (aww, a friend, aren't I lucky!!) who is wanting to get back into running, so we've thought it might be nice to enter a couple of Runs (can't call them races with our approach!) together each year. Whipsnade last week, colour run in the autumn. And there's a colour run with (inflatable!) obstacles that looks like good fun for next year, too...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

It's pretty much my normal route so I felt comfortable. I'd love to do a colour run!

[RainbowC Graduate]

I like the fact that they're not timed officially, removing the competitive thing and need to get round as quickly as possible - in some ways it looks as though NOT hurrying actually increases the fun! One of my daughters is very keen to do a colour run, too, and the other is considering it, so there are two more C25k-ers in the making. (DD2 actually started last Monday and really enjoyed it but hasn't been out for a run since. We now have a new 8-week-old puppy, so I'm a bit busy to go with her, but I'm sure she'll manage if I keep mentioning the magic 'Colour Run' words...)

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

I think some people took about 10 mins to get to the start, so although you see your finish time it's not accurate unless it's chipped. A few were competitive but overall it was for fun!

[Tomas Graduate]

Well done Curly for doing the run, and congratulations with the PB. 2 or 3 minutes is quite a lot to shave off, so well done! You look like you had a brilliant time

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Great effort Curly. Well done and congratulations.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Brilliant!! Great time too. Well done Sweetie

[AndyD Graduate]

Brilliant.. great time to, well done on the PB and finishing with a smile

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Well done Curly. And most important thing of all.... it sounds like you enjoyed it