Today the evening has definitely been the best time for running. In from work, change, quick charge for my phone, and out, leaving the rest of the family to find their own food! 
For the first time in what feels like forever, my after-work run was in the light! Hooray! The park is nice and quiet at this time, so two laps round there appealed this evening.
I decided to try the app with Laura this time, so I could use Hidden ’s Spotify playlist, so all set up, off I went. There are a lot of puddles testifying to the rain we’ve had today, but I managed to avoid them (mostly!), as I set off round the top half of the route. Two-thirds of the way round there, and time to run. I was trying to make sure I kept to a gentle pace, but found that my breathing wasn’t as easy as usual. It’s taken me around 300 runs, but I finally remembered that that means I’m going quicker than I think - even when it feels slow - so slow it down to even snailier!
Somewhere between five and ten minutes in, things settled down, as they usually do, and I plodded on. Back along toward the river, and turn right at the end. Along the river bank, then back up around the field. And that was half time.
It felt like a long time, and was hard to believe that I had enough in me to keep going and do it all again, but when Laura said to speed up if it felt easy (however nicely she put it) I did have enough breath to answer back - so that was good, and I had another chat with myself 😂
Along and round - I caught up with a young lass who was walking til just after I passed her, then she changed gear and ran effortlessly past me like an elegant gazelle. We can’t all be gazelles though; some of us have to be giraffes (have you ever seen a giraffe run? Graceful they are *not*!), so I didn’t worry about her and kept going st my own steady pace.
Back towards the river, and only five minutes to go! Overtaken by a chap - still not flustered (oh, how I’ve learned!) - speed up slightly since I know I can do this. And a revelation - enjoyment is up to me! I realised that I wouldn’t say I was enjoying it - but then thought about how pleased I was that I was doing it, having a run, keeping to my own pace, knowing I could finish the whole 28 minutes - and realised that *that’s* enjoyment. It’s not just about the physical sensation of running, by about the whole mental side of it which is way harder for me!
And then I was finished! A brisk but gentle walk back home, and now time to go and find some food, satisfied with another run completed. 
Oh well, maybe one day??
Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
FAQ Post C25K COMPLETED…….WHAT NEXT?
