Its been a few days ... (so this might be long) ...

[Christene]

(so this might be long ...oooh err, Matron ...)

since I last posted, so I thought I'd update you all with my latest exploits ...

Had to interrupt my training program, should have been doing W6R3 last Friday, but for reasons I will now enlighten you on, I had to just do a light jog, no big runs.

Yesterday, Sunday, I did a 5K run, in aid of Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation. Wasn't expecting anything special, in fact I had always said it had come up at the wrong time within my schedule.

But the run went really well, I had on my Yellow stripe running tights and my 'fancy pants' (and my support bra!!! (Somewhere for my phone 🤗)) I positioned myself towards the rear of the pack, as per the organisers instructions, I was estimating a 40 minute run ...

The gun went off, and we were away, well, some were away ....

I was planning on running for 5 mins, walking for 2 mins .... repeat, I actually ran for 16 minutes, walked (fast) for about 4 minutes, and then ran to the finish ...

I think it would have been a lot tougher had I just been on my own, but 999 other runners made the run more enjoyable, and there was always something different to look at 🏃🏃🏃, as well as the animals 🐆🦌🐅🐪🦊🐵🐻

It was only when I got to the 4k sign that I actually thought to myself "I can do this" and got another lift from that ... was disappointed to be running towards the finish and then be detoured for another run around the Lion enclosure, to arrive at the finish from the other side ....

So, all hot and sweaty (sorry), I crossed the finish, collected my finishers medal, and awaited my time.

The event was a fully approved 5k, and all runners had timing chips ... the initial results gave me a finish time of 35:36, OMG, I was well chuffed .... 😁😁😁

On closer inspection, there was another time ... 1:34, this is the time that I actually crossed the Start line, and to subtract from my finish time, so a 5k run in 34:02, 😎😎😎 I'll take that, thank you very much ....

Got changed into some clean clothes, had a walk around the Wildlife Park with my kids, and grandkids, then went out for tea, after a walk around Newmiller Dam ... checked my pedometer last night .... 24587 steps ... no wonder my legs are a bit second hand ...

Back to the schedule this week, am going to start Week 6 again ... so W6R1 - tomorrow.

[Christene Graduate]

Hey there HeadInTheClouds I thought I saw you, Yesterday ... took a photo, but can't post it ...

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Christene]

Damn it, my 'stalking' was a complete FAIL then..!!??!! 😉😂😂

Will reply further later when I'm home. For now... well done..!! 😊

[Hidden]

Nicely done and that's a tidy pace there

[Christene Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jan, I was trying to take it steady, but I must have been encouraged by all the other runners, I normally run, on the treadmill, at 8.5k, and walk at 6k, so I recon my running must have been up at 9k, tempo felt right though, and I'm over the moon, first outside run too ... 🙄😊

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

Blimey, I'm not surprised those legs are feeling 'second hand' - that's a brilliant time..... followed by a lot more walking. Really, really well done - you deserve to be chuffed with yourself 🤗

I do like the tights, but disappointed I can't make out the fancy pants 🤦🏼‍♀️ Nail polish matching 👍🏻 How lucky are you to have room in your bra for your phone..... I have to have a bum bag for mine (well, it doubles up as a bum sling as it happens) 🙄

How did you find the outside running..?? Could you be converted..??

I did W6R1 on Saturday and was planning R2 tonight. However, it's blowing a hooley out there so I've come home and battened down the hatches..!!

[Christene Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I thought about you, and another photo, but you can only upload 1, bit disappointing that ...

I could say "How lucky are you to have a full bra ... ;-)", my bra fillers came in a box Bum Sling, that's so funny ...

Do you know, I really enjoyed running outside, but I think a lot of that was the fact I was surrounded by hundreds of other runners, at least initially ... I think I could well be converted though ... especially for the longer runs that are coming up ...

Blowing a hooley ... where are you from ... LOL

I got a lovely picture of a Giraffe, as it was walking towards me it looked just like your profile picture .... LOL ...

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Christene]

Yes, very disappointing that... maybe a word to admin 😆

My bra's only full because the scaffolding is so tight that they have nowhere else to go 😱🙈😂

It must have been a really good feeling running in a crowd, and it was such a gorgeous day for it. I don't think I could do treadmill running... I started this for my mind as well as my body and I need to be outside to try and stop the claustrophobia that winter brings (probably be a different story when there's frost in the ground) 🙄

What's wrong with "blowing a hooley"..?? I could have said it's f***ing windy out there, but I might have been kicked off the forum 🙈

Was the giraffe wearing glasses..?? 🤓😆 You'll have to post the picture... I am a wee bit besotted by them (giraffes, that is, not glasses) they are the most beautiful creatures 😍

[Christene Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I was married to a wee Scottish lass, and phrases like 'Blowing a hooley' were not uncommon, also f'ing windy ... that must be a global term for strong winds ... lol

I'll try and get the pictures posted ...

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Christene]

Aah, interesting.... I originate from completely the opposite end of the UK 😉

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Oh great job! Bet you didn't think you could do that 6 weeks ago! But perhaps wait one more day for an extra recovery?

[Christene Graduate in reply to ejvcruns]

How right you are, 6 weeks ago I was gasping and wheezing at the 1 minute runs .... the change is amazing, a bit of effort goes a long way, and a lot of credit should go to you more experienced runners who are giving us apprentices the support and encouragement that we need, at the right times ... thank you ... x