What a week! I set off on Monday, excited that I was going to do my first thirty minute uninterrupted run, after all this work, today it was going to happen. It was all going so well and I really had got to the point where I knew I was ok, I was going to make it, I was just trying to process that when.... I rounded a bend and a couple out walking signaled to me with wild arm movements to stop, so I did. There was a moose on the boardwalk just a few feet ahead. I have walked and run this route hundreds if not thousands of times and never seen moose there although I have heard others say they have. They are vegetarians who generally don't give us much trouble but like any wild animal they can lash out if they feel threatened ( sweaty beetroot lady can be quite scary) or you find yourself between calf and mother (not good). This was a young one so as the three of us fumbled to snap a couple of photos we looked anxiously around for half a tonne of over protective parent ( didn't see any). Thinking about it now, I believe it was a calf from last year, (about the same size as a horse). The moose sauntered nonchalantly (as they usually do) across the boardwalk and then incredibly, towards us in the trees to left of path before veering away, never once breaking into even a jog let alone a run (could do with a C25k for moose I think😜). As soon as was safe, I set off again, feeling that wonderful buzz you get from wildlife encounters. A few minutes later I realized, my run had been interupted😮😱. When Laura said " that's it" I carried on for a couple of minutes to compensate and then walk home, still a bit stunned.
By Wednesday we were having hot weather here just like uk so early morning/ evening were best running options. But, as my boardwalk skirts around a lake, this means "mega mosies" when it's cooler. So.....shock , horror, I decided to abandon my beloved boardwalk and try a bit of road running ( very early to minimize detection). And that, my dear friends is how I completed my first unbroken 30 minute run! Elated doesn't really cover it😋😀😀😀🏃🏼♀️
And so to today, my final C25k run. Weather promising to be hot again ( although thunder showers last evening left things very wet and a lot cooler). I left early again, confident this time that I was fine. I opted for the roads again to avoid the bites and just for fun, incorporated the roads I 'ran' back in week 1 when the snow was so deep I couldn't use the boardwalk. I marvelled at how far I had come ( both literally and metaphorically) and how the weather had flipped. All was going well until Laura said ' that's ten minutes done, you are doing great.....' Then nothing!!! No music no reassurance, just silence. no, no, no!!! I can't do this alone! Fumbling to retrieve my phone, I remembered I had started my Fitbit timer on the run section. I found some Simon Mayo radio 2 stuff I must have downloaded sometime, pressed play and just ran until I got to 15 mins on Fitbit, then turned tail and headed back.
With all the shenanigans I can't be sure but I think I ran about 4.7-4.8km which is fine with me! I did it and while I probably would have opted for a less eventful final week if given the choice, now I have achieved way more . I have learned that I can manage without Laura ( as long as I have Radio 2 to distract me) and I have broken away from my limited route/surface safety blanket ( I feel like a treadmiller who has gone outside for the first time).
I am happy😀
I am a runner🏃🏼♀️
I am a graduate🥇
Happy running to you all 🇨🇦🏃🏼♀️😀🥇🌟
Ps can I have my badge, please??🥇🥇🥇🥇
Week 9 Run 3 - Graduation! 🎉
Week 9 Graduation run!
Week 9 - 5 days till my parkrun graduation and had a shocking run today. 
Week 9 - Run 3. Graduation Day!
Week 9 Run 3 -- Completed. Yay, I've graduated!
