Did it!

[Austen304]

When I started C25K last May, my aim was to do a Parkrun with my family on Christmas Day. I didn't think ancient bones would be up to it but I was beguiled by Laura to get to the end of the programme. Three Parkruns followed and everything seemed to be going well. Then, as I have tediously related, the curse of the dodgy knees struck and I didn't run for several weeks, hoping that rest was the cure-all. Eventually a physio told me that stretching was the answer and, after a week of pulling and pushing and rolling, I turned up for today's run, ready to give up the moment there was a twinge from the knees. But I got to the end, laboriousy, in a time that was a long way from respectable - but I wasn't the last in, though only eight runners were behind me. Sons and daughters-in-law waited patiently after finishing their runs (the fastest of them took 21:13, half my time).

[poppypug Graduate]

Fantastic Austen , you did it !!! Well done to you !

I hope your family were suitably impressed !

Lovely photo and lovely memories to treasure . I am so glad that your knees held up for you too xxx

[Austen304 in reply to poppypug]

I think the surprise element had the greatest effect! Stretching seems the thing to do. The aches are general instead of in one place - at present.

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Austen304]

Well done Austen . You wanted to do it and you made it happen xxx

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done - I'll bet they were all really proud of you!

[Austen304 in reply to Ullyrunner]

Surprised that I could do it at all. Proud - well possibly..

[runswithdogs Graduate]

That's such a great goal and what a way to spend it with your family. What is the goal for the upcoming year?

[Austen304 in reply to runswithdogs]

Can I do the goal on Friday? The day for wild and unfulfilled promises?

10k is unlikely and doesn't really appeal - the Parkrun is comfortable and friendly enough. Perhaps a number of runs, or a time that is mentionable in public (without impressing anyone).

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Austen304]

Of course! It's great that there are so many goals you can set, distance, time, number of runs, a certain event, adding other activities to support running.

[Hidden]

Well done. You must be chuffed

[Austen304 in reply to Hidden]

I am!

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Well done, you ran 5k! Fantastic effort given your knees too, respectable time and it's not a race so good for you. More parkrunning to come, no excuse now!

[Austen304 in reply to JoolieB1]

Knees are yesterdays news (so far, today). Stretching is good! No excuses indeed, though there might have been yesterday if the rain hadn't stopped at the crucial moment, i.e when I got out of the car..

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Well done. I'm sure they waited very proudly.

[Austen304 in reply to ancientrunner]

More likely wondered how much longer it would be.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Wow Austen, how wonderful to have achieved a dream and done the Christmas Parkrun with your family. Many congratulations. I love the photo -definitely one for the mantelpiece

[Austen304 in reply to AncientMum]

Eventually, full of Christmas cards at the moment!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

You look like such a nice family. What a great thing to do all running together at Christmas.

[Austen304 in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thank you for the compliment. They are nice and good to have together at Christmas.