I ran 5 k today. As planned. I found a lovely loop round the park to extend my standard route to 5 k and as it's now lighter in the mornings I have no problem running in the park at 6 am. It's full of dog walkers anyway. The run was nothing spectacular, 38 mins, steadily getting faster as the kms rolled by. No niggles, no gremlins, a solid run. Was relieved when 5 k was announced on runkeeper but that was because I'd been running faster and pushing myself a bit. Not too much, I still cough now and then.
So not much to report. And then in the afternoon at work I got thinking. That is exactly what I wanted from Laura. I want it to be the most normal thing in the world to run 5 k 3x a week (or more). I want it just to be a part of my life - not up for discussion, just something you get up and do, like cleaning your teeth. I checked my "running equipment", no blisters, heels fine, no tightness in my calves or pain in my shins. Knees better than they were 3 weeks ago, no soreness or stiffness in my thighs, no back ache. My body had just "swallowed" my morning run whole and I felt great. My legs feel really strong, full of energy. I smiled to myself, I had run 5 km this morning - that's more than most people walk all day - and it was the most natural thing in the world. I could do it tomorrow as well and I know it would be no problem. It dawned on me - I can run! I can run for 30 minutes or for 5 km and I can do it regularly. It's not easy, but it's not difficult either.
Today I realised I am a runner.
Of course I want to run further and faster, but when I think of runners I have an image of a wiry, lean 90 year-old, who runs 5 miles a day every day before breakfast. I don't know where the idea comes from, but I want to be like that when I'm 90!
But for the moment, thanks to Laura I have achieved something I have strived for for about 12 years. On a number of occasions in the past I have been able to run for 30 minutes. But it's always been a one-off, the next run has always been a struggle, and the one after that even worse, until my efforts fizzled out. Until the next attempt, weeks of trying to build up some kind of distance and time, minute for minute, always a struggle. Not really much fun, not really much success and never anything consistent. I really thought I was not a runner. My lower back would ache. My toes and part of my feet would go numb. I'd run out of puff. I'd push too hard and fall ill. My legs ached for days. The distances got shorter instead of longer. Even 8 mins / km was impossibly fast.
The C25k programme is truly amazing!
Sorry for my ramblings - I am astounded at my transformation into a runner and my new-found skills.
Post C25K and working up to actual 5K
Advice needed : on W8, but have signed up for a 5K run on Sunday
My first 5k! Consolidation 7
Week 9 run 1 - done. Oh, and I did 5k!!!!!
5K Tempo Run.. 
