There was a time when the idea of going out in brightly coloured running shoes, tights, fluorescent tops adorned with gps watches just would never have happened - but not anymore!
If you run you will have adventures - your life will never be the same again… I started running again about this time last year after 6 months on the couch due to a motorcycle accident. Since then, wherever I go the running shoes go too. I’ve run in wild woods in Birmingham, along railway paths in Wales, past luxury yachts in Turkey, the beaches of France, the highlands of Scotland and the hills of Tblisi. In the latter city I reckon I was the only runner mad enough to run there… but in spite of the hills I did run. The people there, who are normally rather friendly, behaved in some very odd ways - I was running up the hill by a funicular railway (kind of shows how steep it was!) when people started making some rather rude signs with two fingers - turns out it means ‘victory’ and was their way of cheering the mad Englishman on.
I also did the Manchester 10K just days after the horrific bombing and saw what the power of running could really achieve. I started doing Park-Runs and found myself volunteering to guide blind and visually impaired runners and ended up in a documentary for the lottery show. I’ve lost two stone in weight and got my 10K time to sub 57mins and hope to get a sub 55 in Manchester this year and my 5K to sub 26.
I’ve seen places I wouldn’t have seen if I hadn’t put on the shoes and gone out, I’ve explored new areas, made new friends, got fitter, feel better and can’t imagine life without running. Indeed my Doctor has stopped suggesting I go on statins as my Cholesterol level has reduced itself back to absolutely normal. And so when my son bought me a new pair of running shoes this Christmas, it just felt like the most normal present in the world - because now I really do think I’m a runner - and it would never have happened if it weren’t for C25K - It really is a Very Big Adventure!
Today the new shoes ran their first 15K and liked it
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Runon
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Haha! I have relegated my old shoes to the gardening at the allotment! Aaaaand they are covered in glory now as they helped me in my mad NYD dip in the briny here in County Antrim! Old shoes don’t die, they live on in an alternate universe, 🤣🤪!
Heavens above - you’re brave! And a new life for the old 👞 I shall have to find a new one for mine that’s s a little more imaginative too - skydiving perhaps 🤣 😎 or perhaps not!
Thanks Lilybeth - I always wondered when I was puffing along doing week 9 if it would ever get any easier - it does but then you just find another goal to achieve which is harder 😃 but what fun :))
This is such a great post , very wise words indeed . Running has opened up a whole new world for me too . ( If I hadn't have started running , I would've never have met you )
See you in Manchester , and I LOVE your new runners ! xxx
Poppers - hooray! And Happy New Year to you also and my people say hi to your people! Yes very colourful trainers indeed - so I can be seen in the dark you know! They are so good to run in. Of course without your support I would probably never have made it past week 4 Run 2 - I still think Run 3 was a misprint! I was running in Richmond park on New Year’s Day - and there were deer 🦌 which looked so beautiful - and I overtook 6 people and then a chap spoiled it all by overtaking me - didn’t even indicate - just ran past me up the hill - the cheek of it! Anyway I coming to Manchester to cheer you on in April if they let me in!
Ha ha , youre very lucky only one person overtook you I got overtaken by a trio of mobility scooters when I was running past Aldi last year ! There mustve been selling some spuds at half price or something
Are you coming over to watch the Marathon, or are you taking part in it ? xxx
Heavens above I’ll be spectatoring - anything over 10 miles and I take a plane! I’ll be carrying your water bottles, sweets, handling your publicity and photographers - doing the deals with ‘Hello’ etc - no time to run!
Being overtaken by mobility scooters doesn’t count - I mean some of them can really motor - lethal they are - jus’ sayin’ xxx
Lovely Runon - it's so nice to see you! I'm laid up again having had the not-quite-flu-from-hell since 13 December. I've stopped coughing my lungs up every 5 mins now and am looking forward to attempting a little trot ... maybe next weekend if my coughing subsides. Who knew that I would miss running so much?! Plus I seem to have added a little extra to carry round with me over the festive period .. ah hem. Being ill didn't seem to stop me overindulging ...
Happy New Year Useitorloseit - good to hear from you and hope the worst is over and that you get trotting soon. You’ll probably have a new burst of energy once you get going again. All the best there 😃
One can only hope! I usually run ears free, but I think I may dig out Laura and start at Week 2 to see how I go. The blithering MS usually makes me swerve like a drunk after any kind of bug and I'll need to make sure I don't end up on my face with all my teeth knocked out. Such fun!
Thanks Sweetie! I don't log in every day any more, but I get emails to tell me when my favourites are posting (you being one of them of course!). Happy new year!
You know I sometimes dig out Laura just for fun - I’ve not listened to the new boys and girls who re-recorded it all but there was something very special about Laura - perhaps because she wasn’t too professional she felt like one of us 😎 let us know when you’re back in harness 😄
A brilliant post, thank you so much. I'm in my early adventures as a new runner and it certainly does make you feel amazing. I will make sure I always take my trainers with me even though I don't go to such exotic places.
There you are Runon! How great to see you're still running and running so well too by the sound of it. And you're absolutely right, this is a VERY big adventure 🤗🤗🤗 and we're all part of it 🙂 Whoppeeee!
Now I have to scroll down your replies to see if your other comedy half has joined. I'm sure she has. poppypug I'm talking about you!
Whoopee Indeedee 😄 Poppypug is in a secret training establishment practising under the watchful eye of a team of Russian specialists for her Round The World Foot Race which begins in Manchester in April. I shall probably try to steal her bling again 😁
Y'know I cannot help myself but join in when Mr Runon is on the forum
I need to keep him sweet as he is going to be at the halfway point when I do the Marathon . He has promised me that I will have a chance to sit down for a bit , have a quick leg massage, followed by a cuppa tea and a short nap before I continue xxx
Yes I’m up for that - Poppers can be David Attenburgh and do Pug Planet, her highness can do a fashion and bling show and i’ll be Richard and Judy. We’ll clean up! X
It just gets better all the time - which isn't to say it doesn't have it's ups and downs - but stick at it and the rewards just keep coming Have a great running year.
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even if at my own pace. 
Am I a runner? Heck yes!
Wk6r3 ... not officially a runner (yes, I am)
1st runniversary, what a year!
Anyone got a very big iron...?
