Well, would you believe it!

[61trying]

I went and had gait analysis on Friday and after the fitting had to run up and down the Main Street in Cardiff. Did I feel silly! Anyway, after buying the rather charming shoes and not exactly matching socks I decided it was time for an inaugural outside run and abandon the trusty treadmill in my local leisure centre. Hard for you all to believe I know but I had an almost sleepless night worrying about route, what if I can only run on a treadmill and not outside, what if I fall over, looking stupid and other such gremlins. This morning I began thinking that I'd take my leisure centre membership card with me, have my warm up walk going there and then if I lost my bottle or couldn't achieve outside, I'd go back to the treadmill. However, I stamped on the gremlins and peskie pixies and told myself it could be a practice run. Anyway I DID IT!! W7R2 outside. Because I wasn't on the treadmill with nothing to distract me I didn't keep checking pace, heart rate and distance covered. I just plodded along and enjoyed the experience of being able to run. No one laughed and I didn't fall over. I think I'm a runner now. Sorry to bore you with the long post. Thanks everyone

[AnnieW55]

Yay, well done. You were a runner before but you're now a runner with indoor and outdoor experience.

Congratulations.

The way forward is indoor or outdoor whichever suits your lifestyle the best (although I'm biased - it's outdoors all the way for me for the sheer variety and getting some vit D).

[bareliz]

Go you! Yes I had to run outside my shop in the centre of town. I just thought it was the shop assistant having a laugh at my expense so glad I'm not the only one. You sound like you've got this running thing cracked.

[61trying Graduate in reply to bareliz]

Thanks, I don't think I've got it cracked but really really can't believe how far (ha, ha) I've come. I find many runs really hard but the sense of achievement is immense and well worth the effort!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Another step, another barrier broken.

Well done.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Yeah! Well done 61😊

Glad you won that battle with the gremlins and got to do your run outside...

You are definately a runner...inside and out. Hope the new shoes helped.

Good luck with R3...

[Jaxdreamer Graduate]

Absolutely fabulous!

[rolysmate Graduate]

There'll be no stopping you now, well done

[Hidden]

Not boring; Uplifting! Well done. You are definitely a runner now!

[Hidden]

You are a runner and have been for ages now. I love the fact you braved the street audience and carried on regardless. I think our very own IannodaTruffe calls them dreadmills (just making sure the copyright fees go to the right place!), so he will love the fact you tried outside as it all adds to the variety of runs you do. But as he points out too in or out, it makes no odds you are a runner. Different strokes for different folks.

Hidden also is right, the post ain't boring, it's a celebration of your achievement and we love reading them.

[61trying Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeay!!! Crushed gremlins everywhere!!! Wow!

Go you... what a run!!! Out there and doing it!!!!

PS

This is NOT a long post.. it is terrific!

[61trying Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, I always appreciate your encouragement

[Gwibiwyr51 Graduate]

Absolutely Brill, as far as I'm concerned there is no comparison between the " dreadmil " !!! and the great outdoors, well done. I'll be down in Cardiff with the family next week and would be greatful for the name and address of the shoe shop, I'm treating myself to a post graduation treat.

[61trying Graduate in reply to Gwibiwyr51]

There are 2 shops. I went to run and become on St Mary's Street. They do a natural gait analysis rather than dreadmill but were excellent. If you want treadmill analysis go to Moti running in St David's Centre opposite Argos. I think they charge £20 for the analysis which is refundable against shoes. I chose run and become first on the basis that they didn't charge for the analysis so if I wasn't suited I could go to Moti. The lady took a good 45 minutes to ensure the correct shoe whilst another assistant was with a new to running customer and demonstrating stretching exercises as well as selling shoes. Good luck and enjoy 'the diff' !

[Gwibiwyr51 Graduate]

Thanks, looking forward to " the diff " but not the journeys on the hated A470.

[Rowville]

Well that's brilliant, I run on a treadmill and have the same fears about running outdoors as you did, so it's great to know that it's possible well done you!

I thought I would get to graduation and then go back to the beginning to run outdoors, but maybe I should just try outside but quite worried I won't be able to run