W9R3: Budge over you lot! Room for one more o... - Couch to 5K

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W9R3: Budge over you lot! Room for one more on that podium?

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate
45 Replies

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.

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Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69
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45 Replies
Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Well done, matey. You summed up beautifully how it feels to complete this challenge. Keep enjoying the running to come and don’t disappear!

David_G profile image
David_G

Great work Marvo, pleased to see you got there in fine style! 😀

Save a space on the podium for me on Saturday. 🏆🎓 Onwards and upwards towards the next goal!

This is such a great place and everyone is so supportive. 😊

I wouldn’t be anywhere near the finishing line without you all 🏁

Good luck everyone! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤞

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toDavid_G

Go David! Keeping a spot warm for you on this lofty perch!

Jullaly profile image
JullalyGraduate

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

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toJullaly

you will take your rightful place very soon Jullaly and well deserved it will be x

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

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

Ang33333 profile image
Ang33333Graduate

Yay!! Congratulations!! That's brilliant! So very pleased for you! Well done!!!!! Now lots of consolidation then.....?😁🍾🍾🍾🍾

SendWine profile image
SendWineGraduate

Massive congratulations. Never doubted you ... your choice of shorts, maybe 😂

Enjoy your well earnt steak 🐄 🍷

Can't believe I get a mention in your graduation speech 😋 thank you, I'm honoured, will probably see you over the bridge sometime xx

Loved this post. So articulate and thoughtful. What a result, what a week. This podium is going to collapse before too long!

Massive well done. Life changer indeed. You're an inspiration.

👏👏👏🎓🏅🍾🏃‍♂️💨💨

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to

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! :-)

in reply toMarvo69

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. 😬

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to

😂😂😂😂 that's worse! Brilliant

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Now the world will recognise just how superb you are!! Tho we knew it all along. You are a conqueror my friend!! xx

Razouski profile image
Razouski

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. 😉

🎉🎉🥂🥂🎂🥂🥂🎉🎉🎺👏🏽🏅🏆🎆🎇

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toRazouski

You ran Half marathon! 22k?! Did you type that properly!? You must have been on a bus! Incredible! Well done you. Wow.

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toMarvo69

😂😂😂 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.

Kar43 profile image
Kar43

Aww Matt such a proud moment 😉😊.

A very vast 👍

Congratulations 👨‍🎓🥇🏃🎉

I also laughed a lot through reading this 😂 my hubby sat next to me looking strangely as Im laughing with tears 😁😂😉

Congrats on giving up the cigarettes too amazing 😉

You've hit the nail on the head with this post, here's to a new healthier you! Me! And all our running 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃buddies

18Windmill profile image
18WindmillGraduate

Huge congratulations! Very well done, International Runner of Mystery. 👏👏👏🥇

Dizzysmum17 profile image
Dizzysmum17Graduate

Fab post and huge congratulations 🍾

limberlou profile image
limberlouGraduate

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

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply tolimberlou

Thanks! My rosy cheeks used to come from beer, now running!

A few weeks consolidating 5k then on to the 10k bridge!

CJDavies profile image
CJDaviesGraduate

Well done, sounds like you’ve got the bug.

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toCJDavies

Thanks CJ! I can't say I love the actual running yet, but I really am enjoying the whole process! See you up here soon! X

Myrar profile image
MyrarGraduate

Congratulations ..Well done you ...😊😊

Fantastic! A great sense of achievement I'm sure.

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply to

It really is. You'll find out very soon now! X

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

That is a great acceptance speech, congratulations 🏅🏅🍾🍾🤩

I can only wonder,and book my seat for when Sallenson does his.( will we need to be in formal wear to read it?)

Well done .

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toJell6

Ha ha God alone knows what will come from his manic mind but I'm looking forward to it. Though may need to take the day off to read it!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Hey fella !!!

Just look at you and the sassy new badge !

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

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Oooh I love that little badge! Thank you so much for your support! Consolidation now, then on to the 10k bridge!

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate

Haha! Well done Marvo! Brilliant. Thanks for for your support and encouragement when I started on here too. Enjoy basking in your graduation glory 👏👏👨‍🎓🏃‍♂️😊

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toSaartjie

Go Sarah! You're nearly there now too! Looking out for your moment of glory! X

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate in reply toMarvo69

Thanks...Not far off. Will also be giving a shout out loud when I finish! 🤩

Mumsygill profile image
MumsygillGraduate

What a hero Marvo! Soooo happy and pleased for you. Had a hiccup with my week due to bereavement but hope to join you at weekend. Brilliant !!🍾🥇🎉✔️😘

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toMumsygill

Sorry to hear your sad news and looking forward to hearing of your success next week!! x

Mumsygill profile image
MumsygillGraduate in reply toMarvo69

😘👍🤞🏻

Susietirzah78 profile image
Susietirzah78Graduate

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 👍😊👨‍🎓

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done Marvo, go and strut your stuff on the podium. Graduation is just so good ! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🥂🍾🏆👏😎

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherGraduate

Wunderbar Marvo! I'll buy you that beer - but only if you ask me in German 😂

Seriously though.... great post and a wonderful list of other achievements to go with your new found ability to run for 30 mins straight x

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply topianoteacher

You're in trouble. I can order beer in about 15 languages!!!! See you soon!!x

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherGraduate in reply toMarvo69

How did I not see that coming 😂 It's a date!! x

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate

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

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69Graduate in reply toDeeRunning

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

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71

Congrats Marvo! Definetly room for one more. 😬👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🍾🎓💪🏼

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Brilliant! Congratulations to you 🏅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

And it IS an acheivement, bigger and more insurmountable to some of us than Everest!

Enjoy that buzz and all the benefits you are experiencing! 👍😁

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