After three days away in the Emerald Isle, I head out to do week 9 run 3 - again!
I set out on this session last Friday, I even completed 5k - but I had company....the dreaded lurgy! I felt awful - head pounding, nose streaming & a lump in my throat that was nothing to do with emotions! By half way I felt like I was breathing through a duvet, and everything hurt. I pared it right back (I can walk quicker than this) and finished the 30 mins just inside the first of the two kissing gates, before the bullock field, way short of run 2. I feel exhausted; no sense of achievement, no celebration, no satisfaction at all. Most of all I feel cheated! This isn't what I worked so hard for - to finish on a damp squib. So I decide to do it again ⁉️
I set off this morning after a weekend of sneezing & coughing, with my temperature going up and down more than the British summer. In spite of, or maybe aided by, the Guinness consumed (!) I'm keen to give this another go.
I have company again this morning - yes the lurgy is still hanging around; he's trotting along quietly, but I'm hoping to out run him! I'm also joined by my shadow; the sun is shining, and in the words of U2 - it's a beautiful day.
I set off gingerly. My legs are tired after 30 miles of walking over the weekend, & my nose is still streaming (eeuugh). Don't stop believing plays in my ears, followed by don't stop me now - there's a theme here - my playlist shuffle is on my side! I make it through the first half which includes the worst of the hills & I'm still going.
I meet three runners today, the first time I've seen anyone in weeks - they are all going much faster than me & making much less fuss about it! I tell myself that they have just left their cottages in the village I'm headed through, and thankfully none are on the same route as me (not that I'd be seeing them for dust!!)
4K done still going - a nice gentle slope down coming up, I can do this. My split times tell me I'm going faster than I thought, and I get through the 5k point, with the hardest bit is still to come - the dreaded uphill footpath before the kissing gates & the bullock field. I pass Fridays end point, down the field (no bullocks today 🐮), through gate two - I've got the hang of the catch at speed now.... and I'm still going. Jo tells me one more minute. I am going to do this, (another one of those very long one minutes Jo?) I trot along the access road, & finally, YYEESSSSS!!!!! I've done it 🏁😊. That was much more like it!!
Today I celebrate like a mad woman, arms aloft 🙋🏻 🎉🎉🍾🍾🎉🎉
The rolling hills look beautiful in the sunshine (now I've stopped running up & down them!!). I celebrate some more (good job it's countryside), why not? 😊 Life is a rollercoaster sings Ronan as I walk home, jubilant, still celebrating every now & then, dripping wet (not rain this time), sated & satisfied.
Final score 5.45k in 30.39. I can run 5k in 30 minutes ✅ 🏃🏻♀️👍. Unbelievable. 😳🐒
I have said this before - I've never been able to run, and I wouldn't have done this without the magic app (I still don't know how it works - but it does), and the support of you guys - you really kept me going when times were tough, thank you so much 😁
Special thanks to Bareliz who has been with me since the start, and to Jancanrun for keeping me so entertained on my journey. To Rolysmate for his inspirational story, and to Iannodatruffle and oldfloss for their guidance and wisdom. 👨👩👧
I also need to thank Jo Whiley for keeping me going these last nine weeks, and apologise for any inappropriate words that may have passed my lips, for the sarcastic comments when you were only trying to help, and for doubting your abilities to count to 60 seconds..... I will forever more carry with me on my future runs your advice not to run like Spotty Dog! Good advice indeed.
Chunky Monkey 🤗🐒
Go and get your well deserved medal and maybe have a bit of a rest! 
Run 26 of 27 (W9R2) - what a run!!
My penultimate run. (of C25k)
Final run completed!
C25k First Run Advice 
