Oooh this feels so grown up (if not terribly original!).
It's about 14 months since I started C25K and today I ran our local Race for Life. Despite the heat, dust and congested start, I managed to run through the finish gate with a clock time of 29:46, only my second ever sub-30 minute 5K. My first race done, I guess I no longer have any excuse to put off doing our local park run! I love how far I've come, in my own time and in my own way, since starting this program. It has genuinely changed my life in a major and very positive way.
I know I've said it a 100 times before, but this forum and all it's lovely contributors have played a huge part in that. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me. In return, I hope this might encourage those who are starting out on their own C25K journey - it is a wonderful thing you are doing
Written by
linda9389
Graduate
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Congratulations and you must have been quick, race for life is notoriously difficult to get near a PB on. You’ll love parkrun, some parks are of course flatter than others, but you get individual PBs on each if you like stats.
We managed to get at the end of the runners and the front of the joggers at the start line which helped the time a lot I think. Our local parkrun is over the same land I ran today - though maybe a different route - so I really don't have any excuses. About to go on holiday so it will have to wait a couple of weeks, but it's my next target for sure.
The time is fabulous in the context of where I was when I graduated C25K when I was nowhere near 5K in 30 minutes. To some it's fast, to some it's slow, BUT it does suggest that a bit of practice and quite a lot of determination have been worth the effort
(don't tell anyone but I keep having a sneaky look at the London Landmarks half marathon which is WELL beyond my reach at the moment, maybe it's the sun that's gone to my head.....)
Congratulations Linda! A brilliant achievement for a fantastic cause! You had that extra special fuel to give you a fantastic sub-30 too. Well done!! 😍❤️
That's right. It was very emotional, and reading all the bibs in front of me provided lots of distractions. The race was 'won' by an 8 year old boy. My daughter (who came to watch) said she got really choked when she saw him come first over the line - his bib said 'for Mum'. So many back-stories for the 1200 runners and their supporters today. And as you say, a fantastic cause.
As for fuel, I'm finding my lovely cold glass of white wine to be extra-extra special fuel right now and I may have a second one just to be sure I haven't got that wrong! Cheers
Yay Linda, you did it! And with an incredible time, too! I am so impressed - a sub 30 min run in this heat is brilliant. Well done, you great runner you. 👏👏👏 xxx
I was well chuffed as they say! It was the heat and lack of air that was the biggest challenge for sure - I usually go out before 7am if I can but this didn't start until 11am. After finishingI I leaned against a tree and downed two bottles of water before I could speak!!! Great feeling afterwards though and raised lots of money too
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W6r3 and my first race! 
To Race for Life or not to Race for Life
✔My first charity race/run!✔
My first \"official\" race!!!
W8R3 completed at the first weekend of Twilight 5K Race for Life events
