Things I wish I knew when I started.

[Rignold]

In no particular order:

- There's no hurry. Whether I finish the programme in 9 weeks or 11 or 23 it's finishing that counts. Likewise I do not need to kill myself to get to 10k or half marathon or sub 30 minutes 5k. We have all the time in the world. Time enough for life to unfold, as we run past at our own pace.

- A bad day is just a bad day. Not the end of the world. Just complete your run, give it all you've got and tick it off. Sometimes you have to go through the bad days to earn the good days.

- Mexican food is a poor Pre-run meal choice.

- I would rather suck dirt from the dogs claws than energy gel.

- Mindset is most of it. If I go out with the idea that I am going smash it, I usually do. If I have the set notion that it's going to suck big eggs, then it probably will.

- socks are the most important garment. The Joy of Socks.

- Everyone hates W6R1.

- however much you are suffering, grin like a loon when you pass the race photographer. (Alternatively - "Blue Steel")

- I am invisible to passers by. They are utterly indifferent to me regardless whether I am floundering like a Manatee or flying like a Mountain goat.

- men must never wear running tights without shorts. (Actually I have always known this, but have seen some terrible sights)

- training, nutrition and recovery are equal sides of the success triangle.

- the foam roller

- I don't squat enough. Or deep enough.

- I didn't drink enough water yesterday.

- the best pace for me is my pace. Runners who are faster than me ar not better than me, I am not better than runners who ar slower than me.

- NIPPLES!!!

- just because you read it in a book doesn't mean you have to do it. Born to Run is a great read but you are not a Mexican mountain Indian (unless you are, in which case exclude yourself from this generalisation), so put your trainers back on.

- there is no need to carb load for a 5k. Or a 10k. Or a 41 miler. Or ever. Vade retro carbohydrata!

May add more to this as I think of them

[karotti]

You're rather funny

[doubletap Graduate]

👌👌👌

[Jigglemooce Graduate]

Love this.

[secksy34 Graduate]

very comprehensive list there , i think i most agree with the speed , and of course men in running tights without adequate eye aversion coatings !!!

[Hidden]

Perfect observations !

[Rignold]

Oh and 'make sure your seams are tightly stitched.'

How could I forget that one?

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Some of us haven't.... always good to learn from others' mistakes!

[Shorty7 Graduate]

Love this!

[wez70 Graduate]

Love this ... and the image of sucking dirt from the dogs claws too as I believe that energy gels are the instrument of the devil (never used them but seen the effects on hubby which were not pleasant) ...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great, great list..mine would have to include ;

A sports bra is designed , once on, never to be taken off!

[Carolinemcd Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

And getting it on is the best upper body stretching program you'll ever do!!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thats if you can actually get it on without help in the first place 🤔

[Rignold in reply to Millsie-J]

I'm pretty adept at getting them off actually. Practice and consistency, as with all things.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I should have expected that response🌞

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

Love it!

[MarkyD Graduate]

So true...

[Hidden]

Love this too. Can I add:

Your running kit does not need a designated drawer or shelf as it will always be either in the wash or drying about to be worn again.

Before embarking on long runs next to water apply insect repellant

And I second the comments about the much beloved sports bra. Set aside sufficient time to put it on and most challenging of all to take it off afterwards!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Those b... insects next to the water Ruth...... forgot my repellant last week running near the river..... wont do that again now the better weather is here!

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

My running and gymkit needs a designated wardrobe of its own. I ahve a wing of my house for sports footwear. We call it The Imelda Wing.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

I have a designated drying rack everything seems to always be in the wash

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Brilliant, and spot on!

That one about men in shorts...., yeap yeap yeap!

[NetShee]

You're very funny!

[TiredOldMan Graduate]

Ha ha brilliant! Love the socks observation

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I love love love this...... and I think if there was a squatting competition, you would most definately win.

[AndyD Graduate]

There is probably no need for a hydration pack and gels on a 5k colour run.... Trust me...I've seen it!!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Haha love this 😂

[Rignold]

Another one that came to mind after reading Ruth Canal's tip about insect repellent:

- If you're running outdoors in summer, in the words of Baz Luhrmann, Always wear sunscreen.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will carry cans of mace in case of axe murderers but dont bother covering up against the sun.

youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzB...(Not working as expected?)

[Irish-John Graduate]

Note to self. Put Shorts on shopping list...

[Rignold in reply to Irish-John]

or just 'Put Shorts on'.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Some mornings I'm lucky if I remember to put on the tights! Lol

[Rignold in reply to Irish-John]

some evenings I'm lucky if I remember to take them - no, actually, never mind...

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Rignold]

ROFL! 😂😂😂😂😂

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Excellent.

I have also learned that no matter how big a backlog of laundry there is, my running stuff always makes the cut for the next load.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

As a recent starter I have been perusing this list, and it reminded me of the time that one of the dads at my kids' school, who always showed up for morning drop off in vividly coloured, eye-watering running tights without shorts, was politely reminded by the school admin of the need to dress decorously since they had apparently "received notification from members of the public".

To be honest I'm amazed he hadn't been arrested...