Schnell. Schnell. Tuesday saw me in action in Darmstadt, near Frankfurt, my first international run. Determined not to miss a run, I was squeezing in a run before a day of meetings. Already 24 degrees at 7:00am I ventured onto Goebelstrasse, turned onto Bismarkstrasse and ran to the pretty, though small Hernngarten. It was tough, hot, unfamiliar, and whilst I'll need Prof Brian Cox once again to determine if gravity is actually stronger in Germany, heavy going. Nonetheless, I got it done and so...
The big day finally came around. The incessant rain could not rain on my parade. My unstoppable march to the barricade. Not even the black labrador that wanted to use my genitals as a scratch 'n' sniff toy could put me off my stride.
The headphones failed me, so I ran au naturel for the first time. I had a half decent happy pace going, I could hear and manage my breathing better, I could hear my feet floating over the wet ground like an Adidas Jesus. I could hear the cows chortling in the nearby field. Sod 'em. "I'm doing this and I'm eating your cousin tonight as a reward". Now, who's chortling!
I could delight in the W9R3 adrenalin. I could finally shake off my unhealthy obsession with Russel Brand podcasts. The rain dripped from the tree canopy and it felt refreshing not wet.
I was past the halfway point along the forest trail and checked my shiny runners watch. 12 minutes to glory. Easy, I've got 12 minutes left in me. No problem... You remember W5 when 8 minutes seemed impossible? Now 12 minutes was the comfortable home stretch! What has happened to us!
And along the muddy trail, I strode until the signal was given to celebrate and I shouted. Yes actually shouted, really quite loudly. "YEEESSSS".
Daft 'aint it! Not like it's a unique achievement. But an Everest conquered for so many of us, who so adore our couch. So proud to have completed this programme, without skipping a beat. I saw a neighbour during W1R1, who stopped and asked me what the hell I was doing? I didn't really know at the time, other than panting heavily.
Now I know I was changing my life.
Quite a lot has happened on this insane meander to 5k with a fair few side benefits to just running...
No fags since week 5
Far less alcohol drunk midweek
Lots of virtual running friends
Looking better (as testified by work colleagues)
Feeling better, more energetic and confident
My strengthened leg muscles and strengthened heart & lungs are now having to articulate 5kg less than at the beginning
More patience and energy to play with the children
Admiration from the Mrs
A nice expensive new watch
A sporty new wardrobe including Bumblebee shorts
A whole new appreciation for the bizarre selection of music you all listen to. What is 'paint it black?'. Who are Led Zep?! You, erudite athletes, have donned your trainers and shared your misguided musical penchants!
So, budge over you lot! I'm getting on that podium!
Huge thanks to so many on this forum. It really is a special place. An inspiration. Motivating. Amusing. Knowledgeable. Befriending. I echo what so many have said before; that this journey would be immeasurably harder without you lot.
Watch this space now..I'll keep running...and shock the hockey team into selecting me next season!
You keep running too!
Can't sign off without a few acknowledgements to those that have helped with encouraging, insightful, amusing (and sometimes just downright weird) words.
Not least of whom is my new found love and mentor Oldfloss
sallenson constant companion, ready wit, author and musical madman
DeeRunning the Asian delight who's time zone means I awake every morning now to a little eastern promise
Kar43 a pillar of support and loveliness
pianoteacher a local lass and another W9 hero today, who will buy me beer soon after our graduation park run
Bridget007 Inspirational leader, graduate and Prosecco expert
Hidden another constant companion, loveable comic and local lass, coming up close behind us to the podium
SendWine who clearly shares wine passion with me, makes me laugh and always take the time to be supportive
and so many other C25K superstars...
Jullaly
Susietirzah78
Jay66UK
Ang33333
Mumsygill
and more whom I'm sure I have forgotten and apologise.
And thanks to my mum......blub, blub, etc
#you can do it!!!! Even I did.
Written by
Marvo69
Graduate
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Massive congratulations and in such style, international running too! Thank you too for being an amazing support and I will look forward to hearing about your running career, by the way I'm nearly ready to push you off that podium, don't hog it for too long lol
I have laughed out loud literally! The scratch and sniff 😆😆 eating the cow’s cousin ... hilarious .. even tho I’m a vegetarian and prosecco expert 😂😂 well done you! Fantastic! never doubted for a minute you could do it 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 xx
It may well collapse once I get on it! I once got in a busy lift after a business meeting and the alarm went off - too much weight! Now that's awkward!
Oh, I'm cringing for you. Awkward is not the word. Love that you've got a fantastic sense of humour though. I think I'd have died. Worst lift moment for me was my 2 year old asking "was that smell you, mummy?" It was, and I was mortified. Couldn't get out fast enough. 😬
What an excellent post, and enjoy your space on the podium. Just be warned about this addiction - it gets worse. I only ever thought I’d run 5K and yet today clocked up another milestone. So be warned, before you know it you’ll be signing up for a marathon. 😉
😂😂😂 no buses on my running route I'm afraid, so it was all down to my little legs. I'm still constantly surprised that I can run at all as I never ran in my life, I even had a doctor's note when I was at school to let me off cross country, so this is still all a bit novel for me.
Congratulations!! Enjoy your moment in the podium ( and your steak). I too keep getting people say “ oh don’t you look well “. I’m sure it is since I have done Couch25k ( well that and retiring) and I have such rosy cheeks now from the running. And although I might have only lost a pound or two I feel great !!
Bask in the glory of your run and enjoy your steak. See you on the way to 10k soon
Great post..great run and very very well done you!
You have done wonderfully... the party is on and the champagne corks are popping (that is for me... any excuse for bubbly ) ... and after this... well....it goes on !!! And... we are right here with you xxxx
Haha! Well done Marvo! Brilliant. Thanks for for your support and encouragement when I started on here too. Enjoy basking in your graduation glory 👏👏👨🎓🏃♂️😊
Well done Marvo! I laughed reading this and also also shed a little tear! Feeling very proud of you, strange as I don’t know you but we are all in this together aren’t we! I have just graduated and feel absolutely amazing. Looking forward now to a few more 30 min runs before increasing. I love reading your posts and hope you continue to write in here. Sending congratulations your way 👍😊👨🎓
So here's your little eastern promise, to be delivered for your perusal in the morning. Sincere congratulations, Matt. Your posts have been truly inspirational and downright hilarious. I really hope you keep posting as you venture further afield and don't forget us 5Kers as you bolt towards 10. You've been running along with me on many of my jaunts and I think fondly of your always smiling face (in yer pics anyway!) and iconic bumblebee shorts. You've made so many positive changes that are truly life-affirming.
It has been a real privilege to do this with you, albeit always lagging behind you, both in the programme and in pace! You absolutely are Adidas Jesus. Well done, mate xx
Aww - thanks Dee xx I'm going to keep on running, posting, and investing in terrible clothing. May need some dog repellant too! You keep going now, despite the dungeon, and I'm waiting here at the finish line to cheer you home x
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Feeling over the moon. W9R3
W8R2 - A lot more relaxed!
W9R3: Graduation Day run over!
W9R3 - The One Where I Graduated!!!
Thank you to everyone -W9R3
