At this time last year, the weekend before Christmas, I ran Week 9 Run 3 of C25K, thirty minutes, 5K.
I ran 5K, because, like many before me, and many after me, I thought I had to 
I know better now!
This morning, a year on I ran that same run in the same running gear. I took Laura and Week 9 Run 3, and I took many of you, my companions, old and new, with me also
This is the post that I wrote last year, after my Graduation run.
Week 9 Run 3....It's beginning to look a lot like...
Graduation!
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 its 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?
So, what next indeed… a year on, and still running, three times a week, where possible. My rambling posts have really lengthened, (as many of you know to your cost), as have my runs.
This year has seen so many running adventures for me, near and far, at home and aboard, in wind and weather, old pastures and new. I acquired a beautiful new granddaughter and broken ribs all within the same week; and yet, I am still here, still having enormous fun, and even stronger in mind, body and spirit.
The route this morning has not changed so very much, the air was warmer, the Christmas lights a tad brighter, the village decorations a little gaudier, the galleon still sailing across the deserted school yard; the rooks are noisier, and my beloved fields and lanes, still holding the same allure for me. The running? Well, I have to be honest, it was easier than last year, much easier, and I was able with no effort to complete a gentle and satisfying 5K in 28 minutes, I ran the last two minutes of the thirty, in a burst of speed, just for fun, and because I could
I am back up to three runs a week now and despite the spell on the IC, a gentle, short 5K usually a 7K and now back up to 9 K for my longer run….( very slow and steady), getting back to it and loving it just as much as when I started the journey.
If anyone is thinking of starting this programme in the next year, then just do it. It is something, I feel sure that you will never, ever regret. It is about so, so much more than running.
“…Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can. “
J.R.R Tolkien
I intend, with the unstinting support from all my wonderful friends on this forum, thank you all, to carry on as far as I can, for as long as I can.
Happy running.
W10R1....Isn't this just the way it always goes?
Stepping Stones 
Week 9,Run 3 - The One Where I actually did it!! 
Week 6, run 1: the day I took on The Hill..... and won!
