I've managed my first full 5k run this morning 😀

[OldPossum]

I set off nice and early about 5.45 this morning planning to have a shorter run today but I found a comfortable stride almost straight away and didn't want to stop so I continued across to the other side of the village and up onto my beloved sea wall and just kept going until my watch pinged to tell me I had hit 5k. Definitely no speed queen 5km in 46 minutes but I have achieved a distance I never thought I could. I may have one more run at home before we set off on holiday next week and I can try running in pastures new. I now know that when I am ready to run with others I can complete a full park run and probably before they've all packed up and gone home 😀

I do need to find a training program for stealth running though - the rabbits are leaping into the bushes long before I come into full view. I would like to be able sneak up on them from time to time 😀 Happy running today all of you setting off later !

Ps I can't claim credit for the photo though Fazzical took it from our back gate as he headed for his hamster wheel in the garage and the sun was just popping up over the horizon. Takes me longer to get up and out, after all I have to choose the right outfit first 😀😀

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Lovely photo - well done Fazzical.

Congrats on the 5k OP ! It's a great feeling isn't it!

[Ullyrunner Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Btw, if you leave at 5.45 what on earth time is Fazzical getting up!?

[OldPossum in reply to Ullyrunner]

He gets up at 5! He was just leaving for work as I got back from my run this morning. 😀

[Ullyrunner Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

Now I'm retired, I've forgotten what 5am even look like!

[OldPossum in reply to Ullyrunner]

We won't be starting so early next week that's for sure 😎

[AncientMum Graduate]

Congratulations OldPossum, that's brilliant. The first full 5k is a really special moment. Of course you're ready for Parkrun now. Go for it, you'll love it!!

[OldPossum in reply to AncientMum]

I've signed up and plan to check it out when we get back from holidays. My biggest problem is crowds - I'm not overly keen on them. It may be my biggest gremlin yet !

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

Ah yes, the crowd thing! I'm not too keen either, but I always work on the principle that most people are going to be faster than me, so I won't be in a crowd for very long! (Not sure if this is a helpful thought or not now I've actually written it down)

[OldPossum in reply to AncientMum]

It is I've looked st the times and know I will be bringing up the rear! A friend suggested I just went along for a look and maybe a coffee and chat with everyone at the end before actually running. I've said I'm going to do it publicly on here now so I have to go now anyway 😀

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

Great idea. Maybe you could volunteer for a couple of weeks until you get the feel of it. That way you'll be a familiar face to other runners and you'll feel like you're among friends rather than an amorphous crowd. Volunteering is fun and you always feel appreciated

[OldPossum in reply to AncientMum]

That a pretty good idea

[davelinks Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

No, just go and do it, they usually have some water available. Some Parkruns can be big with 500-1000 plus Peep's, if you can find one local to you with just around 100-200, all well and good..😊

[RunningGeek Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

I often tell others what I am going to do so I can't back out!

[RunaroundSue in reply to OldPossum]

Do it! You will be fine. I certainly wasn't running in a crowd!

OK at lot at the start but believe me that didn't last long. And definitely no crowds by the time I got to the finish. Which isn't to say I was all alone ☺

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

Congratulations! The photo is lovely!

[OldPossum in reply to Tryinghard2016]

We are very lucky here. Must try to get a sunset photo too one day from the other side of the village. 😀

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done! Not a bad time for first 5k either, I can't do that early in the morning, as now retired😊

[OldPossum in reply to davelinks]

Really - sounds snail like to me

[davelinks Graduate in reply to OldPossum]

No! Not for your first 5k, think of where you was a short while ago, you could hardly run at all let alone 5k could you? Practice makes perfect so keep at it and times will improve eventually..😉

[OldPossum in reply to davelinks]

That's very true. I couldn't even run that far when I was a teenager! Thanks for giving me some perspective

[RunningGeek Graduate]

Yay! Well done. Bet your feeling super good today. You've gone the distance 👏👏👏 Hope the outfit was suitable for the occasion 😁 Happy running 🏃👟🏃👟

[Zev1963 Graduate]

Well done. First 5km is a real milestone in running

Happy Running

[McFitty Graduate]

5k? 5k! You superstar Still haven't reached that without a bit of walking. And I'd love to hit it in your time but that's a way away yet. Love the picture too. If that could be my view, I'd want to run right into that sunrise. Fazzical call got the moon in too - awesome!

[OldPossum in reply to McFitty]

I am quite pleased with myself. Now I can get the distance I can follow a circular route without turning or repeating a section anywhere which is nice. The dog walkers that I passed in both directions at the weekend gave me some odd looks!! The only problem I will have is that it takes me a bit too long when I have to get into the office. Working from home this morning so wasn't a problem but I guess it won't matter if I have some shorter runs too. Hark at me - it seems like only 5 minutes since I wondered if I could run for more than 90 seconds !!!

[nhs2015 Graduate]

Congratulations Possum, you have achieved something. A new door is open for you : Parkrun

[RunaroundSue]

Well done. I seem to be averaging 4 k in my 30 minute runs, 4.5 today as when I reached the end of the Stepping Stones podcast I decided to continue running into the cool down section, probably about 3 or 4 minutes. Then I added the 5 minute walk after that.

My calculations are based on my pedometer, a spreadsheet with full details taken from it which calculate the average pace. Then I have some additional column which deduct 10 minutes and 1km walking from the total to adjust for the walking sections.

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations on your first 5K - a goal achieved and the first of many I'm sure! Good luck on that first Parkrun too!

[poppypug Graduate]

The photo looks amazing ! Gorgeous pic !

Hey , Well done you, the running world is now your lobster !

Many Congratulations on reaching 5k, what a buzz it is ! xxx

[OldPossum in reply to poppypug]

Oooh thank you - lobster will make change from beetroot 😀😀

[SillyLilly Graduate]

Congratulations on completing your first 5k. It's nice to know I'm not the only one up at that hour to run.lol I wake at 5am..have a coffee..then out the door usually between 5:45am-6am. If I go out any later the sun and humidity are killer. I am typically the only one on the neighbourhood roads at that hour. Some of our roads are pretty dark and took me awhile to get comfortable to run on but now I'm very used to it. In fact I think it's a good thing because I can't see how much farther i need to go.lol It's also nice to read that there is someone out there that is close to my speed. Keep up the great work..happy running!

[OldPossum in reply to SillyLilly]

I usually see the milkman and a few dog walkers but that's it. I've always been a morning girl and love the early morning peace and quiet. Besides the heat I have less energy in the afternoon and forget evenings 😀

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Congratulations on completing your first full 5k run