Yes... I completed Week 9 Run 3 this morning, and I am a smidge pleased!
I left home at 7.45...it was raining, but not the deluge as forecast. I was snugged up and comfortable, with a determination to see this through. Fuelled by the support from so many people on this site over the weeks since I joined the forum, I felt confident and very happy.
I had planned my route to take in a new bit and some of the old favourite routes... Brisk walk as usual and then off down the road. it was still dark and I was having a bit of a game with myself, trying to out jog the pace of the street lamps switching off... As I turned the corner of a bit of new route, I could not believe my eyes.. all the houses down one side of the road were lit up with their Christmas lights.. a blaze of colour from nearly every window, or doorway. Christmas trees with outdoor lights and one house with what looked like an entire Santa's grotto in it's porch! It was amazing, I felt my heart lift and carried on... down to the village, passing no one and only the odd car passing by.
Through the village, and up the hill, back on an old route now, my pace was quicker than it has been...( is the grey snail getting faster?)
Turned across the lane and past the primary school... noticed a huge play house type ship/galleon in the corner of the yard... had that been there when I passed before...bright yellow, with blue portholes, it seemed to sail forward, reflected against the inky murk of the playground. Along the damp pathway and up onto the top lane...carried on steadily, trying to keep my breathing steady.. I passed no one...the winter trees stretching their branchy arms upwards.. their twiggy fingers like tattered lace against a now dove- grey sky. No sheep in long meadow today... and the hedgerow, newly cut and layered,fresh and glistening, hung with a necklace of raindrops interspersed with ruby hips.
I made the big field corner in good time with five minutes to go... my mind seemed full of all sorts of thoughts, of the last weeks, the new friends made on the site and where I go from here...in the distance the small green train twisted its way towards the city, carrying the early shoppers eager for the Christmas bargains. Turning, now, down the hill for the last time on this programme... sixty seconds... a burst of speed.. yes, I had got something left to give... and suddenly... that's it... done it.!
Walked down slowly. keep those legs moving... but could not resist a small jog down the last bit of the hill towards the station...just for the fun of it.
Then a slower walk... putting made up words to suit runners, to the tune of Good King Wenceslas...( thank you, my friend on here for putting that carol into my head as one that was good to run to)!
A last hill... well it would not be me, if there was no hill.... and home, to my delighted husband and a hot, hot shower.
Thank you everyone who has helped me so much on this journey, I really would not have made it without you all!
What next?
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Oldfloss
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I am thrilled.. thanks for all your support.. I am going to continue doing my day on day off runs next week and up to Christmas...then see where I go from there...
Will keep posting and entertaining folk with my ramblings! xxx
What an absolutely lovely post. Beautiful description and you deserve big congratulations for graduating in style! The world is your oyster next. You can do what you want and just run for sheer pleasure with no pressures. Enjoy!
A huge huge well done, Floss!! I loved your descriptive words and I'm so pleased that Good King Wenceslas worked out for you i reckon that God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen might make us run faster?? I understand all about hills, tho I think yours are at the other end of the country? I live in the wilds of Dartmoor and there isn't a flat route anywhere near. Hard work going up but lovely coming down! Now bask in your greatness and think of me while I plod through the next week and a half!! xxx
Thanks you so much....I am pleased...and yes , since you mentioned Good King W... it has been in my head constantly.. but it does work! I have three verses written!
My hills are in the Staffordshire Moorlands and as you say.. the best bit is coming down!
I will follow your progress closely...plod away... :)!xxx
Well done Floss! So pleased for you and have really enjoyed your beautiful posts😀. Now you can sit back and bask in the glow of a job well done before thinking about where you go next with your running! 🏃🏻Enjoy!
C25k+ podcasts with Laura, free to download from here! Three of them to keep you busy for ages yet.
Congratulations! You made it! We knew you would! If you enjoy running now in the cold, wet and dark then you're going to like it come spring and summer. I'm sure you'll keep going and we'll be reading about your running exploits for a long time to come.
Looking forward to the next phase is fun and it's all in your hands. You have to treat yourself to some new running duds now. It's traditional here, and you have to post a photo
I did make it.... helped immensely with the support and advice from you folk!
I shall download the podcasts, thanks for that.... Yes, I am really looking forward to next year and the lighter nights,(and days) starting. I figure, I have enjoyed these runs in the damp and dark, so it will be so different!
I have treated myself to a basic Garmin 10...I ordered it but did not open it until I finished yesterday's run...it was a well done present to me... and lovely supportive, (just get out there, you can do this) husband... treated me to a glass of extremely palatable champagne!
How hedonistic is that?
Will keep submitting my rambling posts... first run just for fun on Monday!
Congratulations, oldfloss - you've done it How fab to see that graduate badge next to your name ! Brilliant write up as usual - I love looking at everyone's Christmas lights at this time of year.
Good luck for all your future running Are you planning any parkruns or such like ?
I have relished the whole thing... even the very tough bits.. and there were some.
The lights were amazing... simply could not believe it!
Well.., I am planning a run tomorrow, just for fun and have looked where the nearest park run is to me... trouble is, I am as you know a snail! People will run past me and be home before I get going... but hey ho... after Christmas who knows.
I am going to keep running and keep writing my rambling posts too!
I have had a couple of days off with no runs... Heavy rain and thick fog have marred two mornings! So, to keep the muscles supple. I have been digging up the Christmas tree.. potting on... gathering holly and doing the Strength and Flex in between the jobs... hoping that will have kept me fit enough for my first non- pressured run tomorrow!
Amazing Oldfloss and a real lesson to those of us (me) about the need to savour every moment and to stay resilient across the course of our running jorneys (where ever they take us)! 💙
Thank you.... you are so right.. we all have to take the rough with the smooth,, and just believe in ourselves... I had no idea when I graduated that December morning, where this running path would take me
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xxx
i reckon that God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen might make us run faster?? 
Beautifully written as always. xx
Week 9 run 3 complete
Week 9 run 3 finished!!!☺️
week 9 run 3 RESULT!!
Week 9 run 3 💋 
week 9 /run 3 completed!!!
