Unexpectedly emotional post-grad running

[icklegui]

Ok, not quite graduated yet. No, I don't mean from C25K, which I achieved a few months ago. But from my PhD, which, it was just confirmed by my examiners, will be awarded soon - just admin left now.

Today I managed another personal running first - I took my shoes and kit to work - and yes, I ran! I work where I was doing the PhD and it's been such a long slog that this run took on extra significance. At first I was just relieved to have a break from work and get into my kit, then I dithered as I realised I was missing a couple of clean items to wear after, and the work showers do leave something to be desired... but I decided those were not insurmountable. Then the matter of strolling nonchalantly through the dept in what was obviously running kit... self conscious much?? Should I have stuck to loose ninja-black clothes? Naaah. No-one paid me much mind.

Then I headed out.

I thought of the times I had walked that way home to save money and the times I didn't even leave the house because of the black dog, which I started running to defeat. And I thought how this was the first time I had ever run here, but it might be one of the last as my employment there ends soon. I noticed how uneven the surface of the towpath was and how the office-bar scene stops after less than a kilometre to be replaced with sad abandoned cardboard shelters and dumped plastic pollution. Sad though that is, the first step to tackling an issue is knowing it is there, and if I hadn't run, I wouldn't know. I might not tackle this particular problem here, but running has already introduced me to the idea of things like GoodGym, who do a litter picking run near my home. One day.

I thought how far I've come, mentally, and then mundanely, mapmyrun informed me that 'how far' was 4K, and I went back to the office. Oh, and then to M+S (other shops are available) for new tights, still in my running clothes

Happy running, wherever you are running from and to.

[Anthie Graduate]

Great post!! Hope the next graduation will be just as emotional... Well done for all your achievement!

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Anthie]

Me and my running legs will bound up the stage! Thank you x

[SlowLoris]

Well done Doc.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to SlowLoris]

doctor-but-not-that-sort-of-doc-but-I-do-know-some-first-aid I think is my official title

[DeterminedBear Graduate]

Brilliant achievement on both counts for different reasons and the insight your post demonstrates is fab too. Good luck for the future.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to DeterminedBear]

thank you! I almost feel ready to face the future

[Thewroesbowl]

Well done 👍 love the idea of goodgym think I’ll investigate where I live too. Be proud. I’d be jealous if someone turning up in their running gear wishing I had that energy. We’re all on a path and a work in progress. Go girl xxxx

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Thewroesbowl]

GoodGym - its very existence makes me happier! Things like a bit of gardening for people or communities, visiting people who might be alone, it's just lovely to know some people like that are among us . If I can spare the time and energy (socialising also - I've run alone until now) I'll join them sometime.

Work in progress indeed, hopefully always learning!

[Lizzisforliving Graduate]

What a lòvely post! Congratulations on everything you've achieved so far, and all the accomplishments to come.

Love Lizz

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Lizzisforliving]

thank you so much x

[RuthL Graduate]

Congrats on achieving your PhD, and congrats on having the courage to walk through the office in that gear, and congrats on sticking with the programme 👏 👏 👏 An inspiring post too, thanks for sharing.

[icklegui Graduate in reply to RuthL]

there are a couple of people who hang around in their kit - but those are, y'know, _sporty_ people ... I do wear exercise kit before yoga class (at work, and there's safety in numbers there) ... but never before in the middle of the day! Thank you x

[IgaT Graduate]

Congratulations on your PhD, I know how hard and difficult it can be. Congratulations on your runs, on your development, on your ideas.

Very emotional post. It left me with a tear in my eye.

Go you! Happy running!

[icklegui Graduate in reply to IgaT]

it's such an ... experience, the PhD ...!!

I found running just at the right time to push me over that finish line. Sometimes I wish I'd started sooner but I know that it wasn't going to work that way and I had to find my path with my black dog (currently chihuahua size). Thank you lovely x

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Sounds brilliant! Congratulations on all your achievements 🙂

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you, Your Highness *curtseys* *ouch my thighs ache*

[Hidden]

You brought a tear to my eye Dr Icklegui

Big fat congratulations, you really have travelled a long way!

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It was a marathon, and I took maybe 15 hours, if you scale it like that?! ... I have travelled far, but sometimes in small circles

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

Brilliant news! Now you just need to remember the spare tights. I had to put a sweaty bra back on today as no M&S near my workplace!

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Langley-Loper]

confession: only the tights were new, I had to put back on my sweaty sports bra! (Freya Sonic, for those counting, gives a perfectly work-presentable silhouette) But those materials have some amazing wicking and drying properties and I don't think I smelled...!

[icklegui Graduate]

Thank you so much to everyone for your lovely words, I would have responded quickly but got a bit emotional ... didn't mean to make anyone teary, Hidden and IgaT , I didn't cry while on the run (though I had the running-induced sniffles of course) but I did later!