On this day last year....

[Curlygurly2]

I ran 5K without stopping for the first time. I remember how amazing that felt! Today I ran the same route, Laura came with me and encouraged me with the Stamina podcast (ONE, two, three, four!) I had expected about 8 minutes faster, and hoped for 10 mins, but I'm super chuffed to be able to report that I knocked a whopping 13, yes thirteen! minutes off!

I got 3 PBs today too, fastest KM, fastest mile, and fastest 5K - 35.48.

I've had a couple of not so good runs recently, so today has been very special. You know what really keeps me going? Thinking of coming home and writing a post like this to share with you lot!

Thanks again all you wonderful fellow runners for running alongside me. XXX

[Mary_O Graduate]

Congratulations! That's a great time and I love that you took Laura along too.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Mary_O]

Thank you! Don't tell anyone, but I still run often with Laura, the podcasts are like old friends.

[poppypug Graduate]

Brilliant Curly ! Well done to you ! Knocking 13 minutes off is flippin' marvellous !

3 PB's is the dogs wotsits , Congratulations

Great to read , all your running and training is certainly paying off ! xxx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Pops, it was the thought of you chasing me with my own mallet what done it really lol!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Ha ha , glad it worked ! xxx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Oh yes, and my turn to chase you next....

[Hidden]

13 minutes off is amazing and shows how much hard work you've put in in the intervening period. A really excellent and well deserved result.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you HP, It's a bit of a slog sometimes isn't it, but the victories make it all worth while. xx

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

Oh wow!!! That's excellent!!! Well done you!! 13 minutes off is massive!!!! It's great to look back and reflect on the year isn't it. I hope you have many more happy Runnin. Years and marvellous posts like this!!! Well done again!! Xx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Toonlou24]

Thanks Toony, I never thought I had it in me lol! I wonder where I'll be this time next year?

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I know! It's exciting to think!!! As long as we are still running that's all that matters!!! Xx

[Anaverageman Graduate]

well done you!!! THREE pbs in a day.. does it GET any better? what ONLY 13 mins? lol only bleeding brilliant is all..

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Anaverageman]

Thank you! I'm floating above ground level at the moment!

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Well done, great to read that there is still a lot of fun after C25K! I am on week 5, so getting through day 3 (20 minutes) is my focus but I look forward to the day I can run 5K and to them working on my speed and entering a Parkrun maybe!

Julie

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to JoolieB1]

Oh yes, there's lots of fun left! I remember week 5 and that 20 minute run, it's a great feeling when you crack it. You'll get to 5K too, just keep listening to Laura, she'll see you alright xx

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to JoolieB1]

I remember that 20 minutes run so much!! You will do it. Just remember to go slow!! It's a fantastic feeling when it's done!!! Xx

[useitorloseit Graduate]

What a lovely post! Well done Curly chum!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Thank you! How are you? I don't see you around much these days...

[dagshar Graduate]

Well done. It's great to see that improvement over time isn't it! Do you mentally compose your posts while running? Has happened to me once or twice

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to dagshar]

I do that too! But then forget by the time I sit down to type it!! Sounds far better in my head when I'm running! Xx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to dagshar]

yes, Like Toonlou I write some really funny posts in my head but stopping seems to drive them out...still, it helps loads at the time!

[hilbean Graduate]

Wow! That's amazing Curly! Cloud 9 for you today then I bet it's still hot there too and that makes for hard running at the best of times! xxx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to hilbean]

Thanks Hilly, actually I got out a little earlier this morning and the weather has changed quite drastically, almost autumnal now. It was a quite chilly 18C when I started. Yes cloud 9!

[hilbean Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Haha! Chilly you say? That's pretty damn warm here

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to hilbean]

Ah now, that's the weird thing I've noticed about temperature...You need a cardie here until it gets above 25C

...I remember being too hot in t-shirt and shorts in Cambridge at 10C in Spring. A heat-wave starts here at about 35C, in UK it would be, what, 29C?

[hilbean Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Might have something to do with the humidity

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to hilbean]

Yes indeed, and the ground temperature too I think.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Oh, and when I walked past "Le Bistro" on my warm up, two friends were having coffee dressed in fleeces and scarves!

[Activity2004 in reply to Curlygurly2]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Fantastic!!! Unfortunately I can't report that I have cut 13 minutes off my 5K PB !! But I do seem to be able to run 5K much more "easily" these days. This Saturday, I am the "tailrunner" at parkrun - I will basically walk the 5K and then will run the 6K back home. I couldn't have dreamed of doing such a thing 12 months ago!!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

It's one of the joys of having started from a very low base...my first 5K took over 48 minutes...the only way is UP from there!

[Hidden]

I would have been running quite some way behind you, not alongside, what an excellent time to have achieved. Great to know it's possible to improve by so much - there's hope! Sounds like heaven running at a comfortable running temperature but still with summery scenery around you. Enjoy composing more posts for us on your next runs

[Tryrun Graduate]

Go girl! Very well done, you are a true inspiration x

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Goodness me - that's brilliant. Well done - Laura would be proud of you!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Go Curly Go!!

[aliboo70]

thats brilliant curlygurly! very well done on such a great performance on you runninversary ! a memorable achievement !

[Hidden]

That's a lovely post, the support from the forum is fab. And congrats on your pbs. Wonder what the next year of running holds in store

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Lovely. Though I have to say that I am testament to the only way from a 48 minute 5K being UP not being true (sadly)... which makes your achievement all the more impressive.

And I've decided I need some time with Laura again.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Have you tried the C25K+ podcasts? I swear that they made the difference for me...distance helps too...

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Yes, and Audiofuel... and 10k.

But all of the above merit a revisit.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Did you buy some of the Audiofuel follow on podcasts? Are they as good as C25K? I'm thinking of trying them...

[ActonHighStreet]

That's a lovely post and a great achievement, well done.

[pinkangel16 Graduate]

Well done Curly :-). That's a really good 5k time, bet you're super chuffed.

I do hope you celebrated this appropriately 🍻🍷

Hope the weather is kind for you xx