W8R1: The Plight Of The Bumble Bee: Well, I may... - Couch to 5K

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W8R1: The Plight Of The Bumble Bee

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate
30 Replies

Well, I may not have been the fastest out there this weekend, but I was definitely the brightest! In electric blue and apian inspired shorts, the sun reflected off me dizzying the other runners. So much for running incognito. The recent sunny, warm weather and my new girlish figure (have quit smoking for 2 weeks now and lost 4 kg!), have inspired a shopping spree that could best even Outofpuff 's efforts to break the Sports Direct website. I think I now have enough shirts, shorts, socks and other paraphernalia to wear something different every day. After all, it wouldn't do to be seen in the same outfit twice, right?

There is definitely the feeling that the more stuff I own is directly proportional to the ease of the running. It turns out that this is not entirely true, but perhaps I just haven't exhausted all my shopping options yet.

Finally, I managed to leave home for my run, after first having found that my son had been playing with my iPhone until the battery died and then simply discarded it down the side of the sofa. Thus ensued a lengthy hunt, a swift admonishment and another cup of tea while I awaited some charge to return. If only my own body had a lightning adapter that could take me from drained to 100% power in under an hour!

And so, by now approaching midday, the mercury pushing 24 degrees (I realise that this is positively nippy for poor DeeRunning in her Asian inferno, but a tad warm for us mere Poms), Laura joined my ear, I connected to my transcendental support team (you lot) - like a hive mind collectively urging the single consciousness forward, tuned in to the latest Brand podcast for more shamanic mania, clicked Run on my shiny new Garmin horologium, and off went the Bumblebee...

There is an urban myth that Bumblebees defy the laws of physics; given that the ratio of their body size and mass v their wing size should make it physically impossible to achieve flight. I both looked and felt very much the same as that bee, having to contend with similar weight:power difficulties. But like the bee, I defied gravity and my own inertia and got off to a respectable plod. After 5 minutes I was thankful to concur with Laura that I was now in a decent rhythm and feeling ok. I found a terrific new route, beautiful scenery and shaded pathway through the forest, that was once, long ago, a railway track - hence not too hilly, roman straight and cutting through the glorious Wealden countryside. An 'out & back' run to the long disused Withyam Railway station, would be 4km almost exactly with just enough runway at the end for the 5-minute cooldown walk.

I had dared to take the recalcitrant hound ASBO with me today, and was relieved that he was well behaved, resisted the urge to mate with other dogs, terrified no children at all and only unsaddled a small number of cyclists by trying to eat their tyres as they rolled by

It must be 12 minutes by now. Laura is remaining unnervingly quiet. I suspect a subterfuge. Perhaps she's going to hold off until 20 minutes is up, so there won't be much more agony to endure from that point. I've reached the outward marker and turned for home. It's hot now, the last K has been in direct sunlight, sweat can sting like a bee when it gets in your compound eyes. And so I running back, uphill. Albeit a gentle slope but most assuredly uphill.

How can this be? The entire outward run had been uphill. I had longed to reach the return point, to enjoy some gentle downward relief. Physics is playing with me again. I have tweeted Professor Brian Cox, to find out if it is possible that I was running so slowly, that the Earth has rotated in space in the last 20 minutes, such that both directions can actually be uphill. He hasn't replied.

It must be bloody 20 minutes by now! Perhaps Laura is teasing me today, leaving it to the final 27th minute to urge me on for the final glorious 60 seconds.

I'm nearly back.

I finally dare to glance at my watch - don't try this at home. You will notice when running that seconds appear to move backwards on your watch. And to my horror, joy and surprise...31 minutes!! LAURA!!

Yep - she's abandoned me and taken off for a Pimms & Lemonade under a sunshade in Podcastland. I can now legitimately justify the expensive timepiece to my wife, as Laura simply can't be trusted. How will I explain my affair with Laura to her?

Elated. My endorphin vasectomy appears to be reversing itself! I'm tempted now to continue this poorly conceived metaphor about ejaculating, but probably best not.

Still not convinced I'm 'enjoying' running. I really only the like the bit when Laura says, "Well done, you can stop now". And today I even missed out on that small pleasure. But 31 minutes run in the midday sun and over 4km covered. No defibrillators needed. Who would have believed that 7 weeks ago!

The Bumblebee flies home, contented, sweaty, aghast at its heart rate and ready to guzzle some well earned Amber Nectar.

Happy bumbling all!

#you can do it

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Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69
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30 Replies
sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

C25K is turning us all into essayists!! Nice job. You need to convince me about the shorts. Nice legs tho Matt!

Job's a good 'un. Never forget that sporting prowess is dependent on lots of expensive new kit!!

x

Kar43 profile image
Kar43

Colour on your legs 🏃legs 😉

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to Kar43

So shallow Kar! :-) An entire essay and you are looking at my knees! Just photos from now on. Everyone share your legs!

Kar43 profile image
Kar43 in reply to Marvo69

I do like colour 😉caught my eye. I been wearing half lengths for my runs and no colour at all ☹️maybe as summer settles in a bit 😊

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to Kar43

It was mid 20' this weekend! Get those legs out! I play hockey throughout the winter, so think my legs are more weathered than tanned!

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to Kar43

I just thought...."The Bees Knees"! How did I miss that one!

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate

I love, love, love your bumblebee shorts! And your bravery for posting a photo! 👍 Massive respect Matt, hot day in sun (yes 24 is bloody hot to run in) and 31 minutes is a major achievement. AND over 4 kms? You're a racehorse. Erm, and a bumblebee...

The hive mind is a truly powerful thing, 7 of 9. That's what got me into the gym today too. We're so lucky to have this support.

Does the expensive timepiece have a timer that buzzes when your set time is up? May help to prevent future app failures, which seems to be a common issue.

Hugely entertaining reading, thank you. Congrats on 2 weeks off ciggies and the 4kg loss. Brilliant! x

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to DeeRunning

Thanks Dee. This forum needs more photos of legs! I wish you hadn't mentioned 7of9. I'm now off googling images of Jeri Ryan in StarTrek! Not going to get much work done today!

I'm sure the watch has a buzzer - it has so many bloody buttons, I haven't figured that out yet! It even notifies me when you reply to my post! Glad you enjoyed x

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate in reply to Marvo69

You started it by talking about the hivemind! You have only yourself to blame 😀 Star Trek was the first thing I thought of, oh and all you lovely people 😁

What's the new watch? I'm thinking of upgrading...

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to DeeRunning

Garmin Forerunner 235

Love it

amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerun...

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate in reply to Marvo69

Cool. Hubby actually showed me that one last week (online). He was going to buy it as a surprise but thought he'd better check with me first. Your endorsement may well convince me. But do I really need a fancy watch on a treadmill ? 😢

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to DeeRunning

Definitely. You need as much kit as you can get! Especially if hubby is paying!

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate in reply to Marvo69

True, can never have too much kit...

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to DeeRunning

Sorted - 30-minute timer set on the watch!

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate in reply to Marvo69

Not bothering with week 8 28 mins? Go straight for the big number? 😀

Awesome 👏

Outofpuff profile image
OutofpuffGraduate

I am LOVING those shorts. See? Having a retail OCD really does make you run for longer. I am having the same problems with small children. The other day I found my three year old with my headphones in her mouth. Why? From one former smoker to another - respect. And particularly as you’ve also lost weight - most of us put it on when we give up the fags. Well done luminous man - I bet that beer tasted amazing.

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to Outofpuff

The first few were very good!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Great post Marvo . Floats like a 🦋and stings like a 🐝

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

I loved reading your post! And I definately identify with the assertion that some 'out and back' runs ( especially the old railway lines) appear to have us running uphill which ever way we are runnnig them!! I do hope Brian Cox gets back to you on this one!! ...Super run too, by the way!🙂

SendWine profile image
SendWineGraduate

Loving the shorts, brave colour choice 👏

Genuinely made me laugh 🤣 proud to be a hive mind member

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to SendWine

You're Queen Bee!

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

Nice shorts! 😎 you will bee 🐝 up on that podium very soon! And well done on giving up smoking and losing weight!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

You really are buzzing.... :)

We need to take a 'poll-en see' if those legs are not the cutest ever :)

I bet folk were 'swarm-ing' to see you pass..mind I think you have a lot of 'nec-tar' go out in that colour:)

Seriously.. well done you !

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Oh for heaven's sake can we stop with the bee jokes :-)

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to sallenson

Oh - bee-have you

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to Oldfloss

Ha Ha - well done Old Floss! Very good! You are the bee's knees!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Marvo69

I am.... aren't I :) You honey, tongued runner you :) x

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Clearly time for to me buzz off then :-)

And you two, just get a room please. There are minors present here.. :-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to sallenson

xx

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