W9 R2, with a hill, a crazy extra 5 and a minor grumble...

[AvatheGardener]

Yes- not as fast as that W9R1 parkrun madness time

There was a hill to walk / run at the start but the middle section I ran around the common which was actually pleasantly distracting, then around 25 mins into the run I felt sick and realised I hadn't had my usual mouthful of yoghurt before setting out. Got to 30 mins and decided to joyously keep running for another five, just to show that I can still run as long as on Saturday. That was hard halfway through but I did it, then had an eight minute walk back to base.

It is NEVER easy but there is ALWAYS a reason to find it satisfying!

Just a couple of grumbles about C25K, as you all know I think it's totally magic and addictive to boot-

Laura, heel strike is not a good idea- why do you say it is, twice, during the course of the programme? there should be a permanent note on here to warn beginners to ignore that!

Also, Laura- I really HAVE had enough of You and Julie- why do we have to have that darn song all the time? I can hardly believe it's popped into the warm up section for week 9!!! ARGHHHH!

grumble over, smile back on- nearly there - at which point I will be both at the end and at the start of something new

[gary_bart]

You're kind of at the start of your new beginning (I like that idea) already, now you've overshot the c25k duration mark. The next run is really just to mark an occasion. (and what a occasion, isn't it?)

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to gary_bart]

Yes indeed gary-bart hurrah! and thank you!

I kinda have already done four runs of over 30 mins but I'm keen to finish off my Week 9 runs properly, as you say to mark the occasion. Blimey! I've only got one more to go!!!

As for the new beginning, I will be brave and try parkrun again on my own; and there are the stepping stones podcasts as well which I fully intend to try. Also I am taking delivery of a hybrid bike today- never been a biker either! I'm really, really hoping to sort my shoulders out, get head head into the right space and beat the fear and get back into the pool as well...

so perhaps I have my cross training sorted

Somewhere in amongst all that I still have to find time for walking the elderly dogs and of course doing the day job, but I hope these new activities will help with the winter blues and help keep me off that oh so tempting couch

[gary_bart in reply to AvatheGardener]

I take it you hybrid bike has an electric motor with throttle or pedelec, then? I've got one of those. It's been something I've been able to use for most transport needs in a hilly city since before I got fitter like this, so you should find you can do a lot on yours, given the running fitness in your legs to stretch your range nice and far. If it works out for you, probably the next thing to do is get a trailer for it (better to keep the load off the bike itself I read somewhere).

The thing that's kept me off mine recently is mainly the injuries, but also the fact that statistically, a South African road is a bad place to be in a car, let alone on a bicycle. And then there's the crime. Our maid was robbed at knifepoint just up the road from here this very morning. It always feels a bit exposed being out there on a bicycle that is clearly expensive enough to be worth killing someone for. (But that said, I must soon stop being such a bloody wussy, and get back to using it.)

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to gary_bart]

My goodness that's terrifying. How awful for her. I think you're brave (foolhardy?!) even thinking about going running with threats like that around. Argh!

No, over here in the UK, a 'hybrid' is a cross between a 'mountain' bike with suspension and thicker tyres to cope with trails and off-road fun, and a 'road' (or racing) bike, able to speed up on tarmac. A hybrid is the entry choice for lots of returners, and commuters, and has no motor- it's all about pedal power and fun.

I certainly won't be going on the roads to start with though- it'll be bike tracks and the like, I'm scared of the traffic!

Take care out there!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

There have been lots of threads on here about heel strikes and I think it is generally accepted that that advice is no longer current. As for Julie -it's a bit like marmite - love it or hate it. For some, it's the defining song of their C25K experience!

You're doing so well.soon be graduating!

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Haha! Yes I can see that You and Julie may be Marmite... but I like Marmite

Anyway, thank you so much for the support and yes I am excitedly looking forward to feeling an achievement of starting and completing something I had never thought was within my capability

[Glossy Graduate]

For me the second best thing about graduating was never having to hear Youand Julie again. I got stuck on week 7 for three weeks and it quickly became the worst song of all time!

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to Glossy]

OMG. I remember- there was a hill involved wasn't there?! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has Had Enough of You and Julie

[Glossy Graduate in reply to AvatheGardener]

Yes, otherwise known as 'gremlin hill'!! I'm so glad I've cut it out of my route!

I think we should write to Laura and ask her to remove Julie from the programme

[laurav33 Graduate]

Nearly there!! So exciting.