Doing 5K in under 30 minutes and increasing distance bit by bit. Into the groove now !

Did my 30 minutes and 6 laps (now +1 lap) of local lake. plan to do 7 laps and about 35 minutes for a few weeks and increase bit by bit . May not go as far as 10K but happy doing at least 30 minutes 3 days per week is my goal , any more is a bonus ! Last 8lbs of weight not coming off too fast but getting there !

Apart from usual life pressure am happy with my fitness and weight. Which also helps with the life pressures. May not post so much in future except occasionally on others posts. If I find my old school cross country running vest I let you know if I can get into it ? and take a photo ! Be warned !

Thought would leave you with a picture of Perry Park lake where I run . Alexander Stadium Birmingham in background ! Would you believe it still couldn't find anyone in middle of Birmingham to take photo of me at end of run !

[Hidden]

Looks a lovely place to run there

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes it's really tranquil , being 500 metres from M6 and 2 miles from Spaghetti Junction. There is park around the Alexandra stadium and they organise runs around the park and lake. There is canal running alongside too which is now gravelled over which is good for runners and cyclists. X Country days were about 45 years ago !! Only memory is off PE or Gym teacher chasing us with big slipper !! Bribed by him that to stay in Football Team had to be in X Country team.

[Suebguineapig Graduate]

Ha, well done! The sub 30 mins 5K is what dreams are made of for so many of us. Looks like the muscle memory from your X country days was really still there. Beautiful pic, too!

[Hidden in reply to Suebguineapig]

Yes Suebguineapig

it's really tranquil , being 500 metres from M6 and 2 miles from Spaghetti Junction. There is canal running alongside too which is now gravelled over which is good for runners and cyclists. X Country days were about 45 years ago !! Only memory is off PE or Gym teacher chasing us with big slipper !! Bribed by him that to stay in Football Team had to be in X Country team.

[Irish-John Graduate]

I hate you Joe!! LOL Seriously - that is wonderful progress, congratualtions

It's been a long time since I was in Brum - nice to be reminded, that's a very evocative photo

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

Birmingham City Centre has changed a lot over the years but less so the suburbs. There are plenty of nice quite spots along and by the canals. More canals than Venice they say !

Think as said on other posts progress can come in leaps sometimes and everything clicks !

I will still post from time to time! No-one can post to everything on here. I like to say something to newbies or those with "Gremlins" . Sometimes I feel I am repeating myself , but hope encouragement works as it has for me. Everyone great on this site ! Thanks to all and yourself John.

I do get some strange requests. Such as seeing me in my old Gear and looking like John Travolta. Seeing me in Lycra and my Old School Cross Country Vest !

It's all my own fault and shouldn't have shown pictures of my clothes hanging off me and my Baggy Pants. If I do find my Old gear form 70's and School Gear I feel duty bound to post some photos ! Be warned !

As for Lycra as I've said before I don't want to frighten the wildlife or the natives !

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Will look forward to further posts and photographs Joe - and if you are ever in Stirchley/Kingsheath there was a Pub there the name of which I have forgotten - it was the '80s after all - but should you ever run into a Barmaid named Carla Smith...well, tell her I said Hello

Happy Running

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Joe!! I remember the name of the Pub Flipping 32 years ago but it just came to me the Hazlewell Inn in Kingsheath/Strichley Smashing Barmaid there named Carly Smith - fell head over heels for her but I was just there for a week so did not do anything about it. Wonder where she is now Anyway - told you I would obsess over the name of the Pub until I got it LOL

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

I think you were more obsessed with the Barmaid than the Pub !

If she was still there She has probably succumbed to the "Demon Drink" by now ! and probably doesn't remember who she met yesterday. Never mind 32 years ago .

Sad but true John !

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely ☺ Fun memory but the past is the past ☺

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I'm a "North-sider" but if ever in Kings Heath I'll ask . The best known pub in Kings Heath High Street is the "Hare and Hounds". In Stirchley it's the "British Oak" . So far have never "run into" any barmaids on my runs . In fact usually never see anyone !

Happy running to you too

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Was neither of them but I will obsessively rack my memory until I remember lol 😊