W8R3....How’s that? Swans and Shade! - Couch to 5K

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W8R3....How’s that? Swans and Shade!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate
46 Replies

Hi Runners

Today I completed the last run of W8! I am absolutely delighted. I’m afraid I did faff again this morning. I could feel the heat from before 6am and by the time I found my other leggings and a different top too, from what I had planned to wear, it was almost 7am and of course hotter! 😧 Then there was where to run! No way did my legs feel like it was going to cope without something nice to look at and the little park would have been well and truly ready to toast and roast! So, now what?

Well, I had a couple of other big Park options. Both meant getting in the car, so I chose the Water Park! Now that was a phenomenal option! As soon as I arrived, I forgot about my disorganised start and it was all about the beauty. I have to say the shade was absolutely glorious! The run was so peaceful too. I even had to clap a bit to get a pigeon to fly off. He was moving slower than me and that part was very narrow! 😜

It was so nice seeing the swans along my route. Just relaxing all glorious on the water. What a beautiful park. Again, I’ve been before when my kids were young, but I had not venutured beyond the cafe, near to where the swans congregate at certain times and near the entrance/exit of course. I never thought I was missing anything, but boy was I wrong! Running has brought so many new experiences for me.

I enjoyed that so much. It’s not that the runs are easy. But every run is a discovery. Thank you for sharing the journey’s and your encouragement along the way! OMG W9 Monday! Enjoy your runs everyone! 😁❤️

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Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450
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46 Replies
Becky1606 profile image
Becky1606Graduate

Well done Fabulous! 3 runs left until you're on that podium!

Love the location as well it looks beautiful x

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toBecky1606

Thank you so much Becky! We’re almost there! 😁😁❤️

Lorijay profile image
LorijayGraduate

Well done Fabulous, 3 runs to go. I think it is time to polish the podium, you're doing just fab :) :) Beautiful photo btw.

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toLorijay

Thank you Lorijay! 3 runs! 😱 Amazing! ❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Beautiful... what a super, cool calm image:)

Very well done you...:) I love that you are taking this so gently and steadily and finding, what to many of us is the whole point of the programme.

It is a huge learning curve and not just about the running; as you say.. discovering new things about your location, the way, you run and about yourself.

Brilliant!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Thank you so much Oldfloss! I really have learned so much and that feels so great! ❤️

BlondeAmbition72 profile image
BlondeAmbition72Graduate

Way to go girl!! And such a beautiful place to run 👍. I’m just back from W8R3 too. Was going to do local ParkRun today but didn’t feel up to it. Week 9 next OMG!!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toBlondeAmbition72

Woooh hoo! Well done Blonde!! Yaay W9!! 😁😁❤️

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate

Well done and in such beautiful surroundings. You will fly through W9.

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toJay66UK

Ah thanks Jay! I’m going to continue to do my best! Looking forward and positive, but keeping myself geared up for just one run at a time. I can honestly say each run has been a different experience. Lovely! ❤️

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply toFabulous450

That is so the way to run. You do it with such grace.

QueenTea profile image
QueenTeaGraduate

What a wonderful photo Fabulous. Sounds like you had another great run. You really are smashing it. Swans are such birds of beauty. 💖

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toQueenTea

Thanks so much QueenTea! It was a place of beauty! Hope you’re doing ok! 😁❤️

southlundon profile image
southlundonGraduate

Great post - no matter how disorganised and ‘ugh’ we feel before a run, it usually turns out the best thing to get out and do! And fab photo Fab 😎

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply tosouthlundon

Thanks Southlundon! 😁 I did recognise the self sabotage of indecision. But as soon as I saw that view, I had to smile. I knew I was finally ready! 😊❤️

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate

Looks amazing!! I faffed even more 8:30 when I got out 🙈 I cooked!! 😅

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toDee_N

Well done Dee for the 8:30 run! 😁👍🏽

Thank you! I was so grateful for the shade. Running through the woods was a great experience. Highly recommended. ❤️

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply toFabulous450

It’s not too bad where I am for shade, lots of high hedges. But still, the parts in the sun were hard! X

Week 9 is only a few minutes longer. You'll do it no problem.

I've just 2 to go then a few weeks or so to get in to the proper running mode.

As with most stuff on this site, I'm getting loads of stuff from people to encourage me on this route.

So keep looking round and see what's to see on your runs(I've been doing the same).

Every day is a smile day.

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply to

Ah Gazloc you’re so right. Every day is a smile day. Brilliant! You’re almost there now! Looking forward to hearing the great news!

Thank you for your encouragement too! ❤️

Berksrover profile image
BerksroverGraduate

The drum roll is beginning, the red carpet is being cleaned, the podium is freshly painted, there is a `Reserved' sign hanging over the centre spot with your name on it, 3 more runs and you will be there, and we will be there to welcome you 💪💪🏃‍♀️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toBerksrover

Aah...thank you so much Berksrover! I appreciate the preparations! 3 more runs and this will honestly be one of the biggest achievements in my life. Can’t quite believe it! Hopefully more to come too! 😁❤️

Ang33333 profile image
Ang33333Graduate

Well done! I love new routes and running in beautiful places. When it cools down I've got new routes planned! 6.30am was too hot for me this morning so you did really well!!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toAng33333

Thank you Ang! I was very lucky today as I had no idea what it was going to be like. It was the perfect place to do the run as it was all shaded woods. Out in the open was blazing. It was so lovely! ❤️

LoungeLizaard profile image
LoungeLizaardGraduate

Woooohooo! 3 runs left! Amazing! You got this in the bag!

Maybe just put on whatever you have laid out the night before! It’s only you that cares about it! Lol.

Enjoy next week, we’re all on the podium waiting with a ladder to haul you up! ❤️❤️🏃🏿‍♀️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate

Thanks Loungizaard, most appreciated. 😂 I agree! I did put out the gear last night, but when I put it on, I could feel the heat rising. I had to think about what would keep me cooler and not too exposed to the sun! Another lesson learned though. 😉 ❤️

Kar43 profile image
Kar43

How tranquil is this pic ❤️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toKar43

Aah...Kar it really was so perfect to run there! Surrounded by beauty! ❤️

Kar43 profile image
Kar43 in reply toFabulous450

Amazing way to keep us running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️in beauty 😊

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71

Fabulous Fabulous!! 😬😬

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate

Oh noooo!! That means we have to paint all those decorative stones and I'll need to bake and it's hot. Can you delay for a couple of months? Just to give us a bit of a breather?

You've done this whole thing much too quickly and easily for my liking :-)

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply tosallenson

Lol! Don’t be so encouraging next time Sallenson! 😂 It has come around really quickly. Easily?......pfff, no, but exciting all the same! Thank you so much! ❤️

sallenson profile image
sallensonGraduate in reply toFabulous450

Brilliant you!!

owmeknees profile image
owmeknees

Well done! It looks absolutely glorious! I am very envious. Nearly there now! 👏😊

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toowmeknees

Thank you! It is so close by! I can see a finish line! 😁❤️

That’s brilliant and what lovely scenery. On the few occasions I have run outside I like running in my local park - it has a lake & I love running/walking near water it’s so peaceful. Don’t worry abt W9 you will totally smash it & then you can join us all on the podium. Can you see us all waving & cheering you on?

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply to

Aah I certainly can! Makes it extra special! Thank you! ❤️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply to

And you’re right, running near the water is the absolute best! 😁😁❤️

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

Well done! It looks so beautiful there! Week 9 here you come 😃

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toBridget007

Thank you Bridget! Oh yes! A very big contender for the graduation run I think! 😉❤️

RobW73 profile image
RobW73Graduate

That sounds like a beautiful run. Well done for finding a shady place.

Final week now!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toRobW73

Yes Rob!! It’s just amazing! 😁😁😁❤️

DeeRunning profile image
DeeRunningGraduate

Congratulations on completing week 8! You are working your way through this programme with such integrity and positivity... a true joy to witness. How awesome to (re)discover such a lovely spot where you can run. It looks so peaceful, a dream location! Cheering you on from afar for week 9!! 🏃‍♀️👍

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toDeeRunning

Thank you Dee! The support from the forum makes a huge difference! Thank you all! 😁❤️

Hotheels profile image
HotheelsGraduate

I can't wait to call you a Graduate🏅......just focus on getting to that podium🏆...we are all cheering you on!!!!!

Big very well done!!!!👍👍👍

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toHotheels

Thank you so much Hotheels! I’m really excited, just going to continue to take it one run at a time! Getting my gear ready for the morning now! Hope your next run is fabulous too! 😉❤️

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