Post Grad Musing! 🤔 Keep going, it really is so worth it! ❤️

[Fabulous450]

Hi Runners

A pretty eventful run yesterday and nothing to do with a PB! Although it might be a PB in the amount of obstacles and things that kept NOT going according to the plan. SaskieAllieCat had me musing about my C25K journey so far. I thought I would share my thinking about my not so great run, but a run all the same. I had what seemed like every obstacle thrown at me yesterday. Turning back for my waterproof jacket, traffic, uncharged headphones, then with a 6k in mind, uncharged phone... during the run it cut out 🔨 🔨 🔨🤷🏽‍♀️ . But I also quite smartly asked myself ‘what’s the point’? And although it was more of a frustrated question, I was still running and I got the answer! And most importantly, I just kept on running.

Looking back, 5 months ago, I was taking on a massive, humongous challenge, but for reasons that are close to my heart. I still thought it must be one of those mid-life crisis things that people talk about, when you get some big idea 💡 that despite fast approaching the big 50, I might be able to do something that I’ve never done before in almost 49 years 🤨🙄. But I said to myself I have just over a year to get this done (hence the name). Despite the 9 week programme 🤣!) I really wasn’t planning to fail. Quite the opposite in fact. I just thought, I’m not going to stop until I complete it. So failing at any point was not going to phase me. I just couldn’t see ME doing it in 9 weeks 🙇🏽‍♀️. And then the C25K magic happened for ME! 🙋🏽‍♀️🤩 By the time I did the charity 5k run I registered for a couple of weeks after I started (being about 12 weeks ahead, I had planned to run as much as I could in memory of my brother and the reason why I started this programme)......I ran all the way🙋🏽‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️! What a day!! 😁😭😁😭🤩!

That’s why for me, every run is a win 🏆, that nothing will be able to stop me laughing and smiling about. I can certainly find the humour in my imperfections. I’m perfectly imperfect! We all are! 😉 The runs that aren’t so great are only a reminder that I am human and it’s a gift to be alive to experience the calamities of life. 😂! Sometimes, that’s really all we need to keep things in perspective.

That particular disorganised run is now history! Time to run on!! 🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️💪🏽

So no matter how challenging this running thing sometimes is! You just keep going and you will get there! Remembering that you’re human, loving the great runs, of course👌🏽, but loving the not so great ones too 😍. We are doing better and getting better every single time we go out there!!

Happy running Runners at every stage of this amazing programme! ❤️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Great Post from you Fabulous450, yes that username is very appropriate for you, you will be "fabulous before you are fifty", indeed with your positive attitude 🏃🏃😊😊"

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Al!! I’m certainly working on it!! But I’ll take whatever comes naturally. I’m having a fun time out there. Enjoying the me of it all and that’s what counts the most. 😍❤️

[JanB76 Graduate]

That is so spot on Fab!!

I’m not really sure what my drive has been. Just decided that this year I needed to get my backside into gear before I ended up in an early grave and I’ve lost close on 2.5st this year so far so I know it’s having the desired effect. Just need to adopt your positive approach now to the not-so-good runs and I might actually be somewhere near enjoying this running malarkey 🏃🏽‍♀️ 🤣🤣🤣

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to JanB76]

That’s bloody fantastic Jan!! You’re a star!! 🤩! It’s not so dissimilar really. I just had an acute reminder of missing my very charismatic brother and realising that he would so hate me feeling down about him not being around. So I found the courage to do something that felt impossible, but would certainly make him smile. And joker that he was, he’d take full credit for too! 🤣🤣! ❤️

[JanB76 Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

That’s a nice way to think of it. My mum was bit of a joker too. I’d like to think that if she was still here she’d be secretly proud but in reality she’d actually be 🤣🤣🤣 at me in all my running gear. Her two favourite sayings were “bloody joggers” or “nice legs, shame about the boat-race” whenever she saw a cyclist, she was such a bugger, lol. Next run that goes tits-up, I’ll just think of mum’s ‘adoring words of encouragement’ 😂😂😂 that should do it xx

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to JanB76]

That’s exactly what I do Jan!! It always makes me smile, my back straightens and I’m running strong again. Oh, he’d be taking credit for that too by the way!! 😂😂😂!

Go for it Jan!! You have all the inspiration you need to laugh when it’s just not bloody going to plan. 🔨🤣❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I used to think I was up early on a Sunday... I guess I’m with runners now 😂

“Perfectly imperfect” I love that. It does sum you up I guess... you set about things perfectly and when life is imperfect you adapt... you have imperfections but work at them perfectly. You’ve inspired many and are a great role model to your boys, in life and how to take on the impossible.

Virtually all of your run reports make me laugh out loud, and my runs seem uneventful by comparison. Is it luck? I don’t think so... I think it’s your outlook on life and I think you spot the humour in everything around you... it’s a good way to be.

You’re fab at 49... who knows what you will achieve by your birthday!

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Aah thank you so much!! 😍 I just appreciate every day that I’m alive. Taking in the good and accepting the so called bad! It’s all history! 🤫

Oh and I think I’m up early because I’m 49!! 🤣🤣! Somehow I seem to have lost the sleep skill🤷🏽‍♀️! And these days I just sort of roll with it, rather than get frustrated by it. Besides it’s rugby day today! My son has a match this morning. That’s today’s excuse sorted! 😂❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Best of luck for your son in the match... 3 in a row? 🤞

About to depart for Junior parkrun, nice walk in the park first of course.

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yes hoping for 3 of 3 wins for the season today! They’re doing brilliantly. Phenomenal play! They stormed it last week with a team that have always used being quite brutal as their main tactic! But no joy this season! They didn’t score one try. And we had no injuries. So very proud of them all! 😍! I think the score was 37 - 0! They smashed it!!

Enjoy Parkrun! There’s nothing more pleasing than seeing kids enjoying their fitness. ❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Yeah, I’m about to get any aspirations of pace put in their place by the speedy under 10s and some damn fast teens! Gets me up on a Sunday and out there doing something. They do enjoy it so much, and I’m amazed when it rains at how many still turn up.

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Youthful resilience!! 😍 Oh...if we only knew!

My son looks at me like I’m a bit crazy when I have conversations about the right running shoes for me. He just thinks perfect for running is all about which ones looks good! 😂❤️

[JanB76 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Ha, ha, I’m only up early because I’ve 2 beastie doggies that need a good run on the beach and this is the time we’re up mon-fri - they don’t get that weekends are more relaxed 🐾🐾

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to JanB76]

I never did work out how dogs tell the time. They do know it’s walkies time, and yet I never saw what triggered that at night. Never noticed it in the mornings, but obviously it’s not us being up, and it can’t be daylight... clever things these dogs.

[JanB76 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Too clever for their own good sometimes 🤣🤣🤣

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to JanB76]

I wish I knew that myself Jan! My clock is on automatic pilot too! 😂! Maybe I should pop round and walk your dogs eh? 😁❤️

[JanB76 Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Ha, ha, definitely!! You need eyes up your backside with my two, soon as they hit that beach they’re off, wish I had their stamina most days, lol

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to JanB76]

Perfect!! I’ll have ‘em!! 👌🏽❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Beautifully said Fab. ❤️ Your positive posts have always inspired me and made me smile! That last run sounded .... well ..... 😳 Many would have thought ‘stuff it, I’m going home’ 😅

Running has changed my life too. I’m already in my 50’s, not overweight, no (*touch wood*) health issues, but I needed to do something totally left field as I was stuck in a rut after losing my dear old horse last year. Hey, I found it! And like you, I’m loving the journey. Not always the smoothest, but so what? As you say, we are human! 😀

I love how you’re always so positive. You take the time to encourage others, and that’s lovely. Your user name is definitely appropriate! You really are Fabulous! 👏👏

Happy happy running! 👍😀

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You’ve done an amazing job Cheeky! Running is so good for coping with loss.

I feel the same Cheeky! Very lucky to be healthy right now and hoping to do what I can to keep it that way. Though wouldn’t mind shedding some pounds too, but if it goes, it goes!! I’m happy running!! 😁❤️

[Equi-geek Graduate]

This is such a great post Fabulous - and you are so right! I had my first run abandonment on Thursday and lots of tough runs before that recently, so a great run yesterday felt all the better! Your brother sounds like such a character and what a wonderful legacy - that he has not only got you out there, but that he radiates out to his nephews every day through your example. But also he caused you to come here, and you help inspire and encourage us, and all the others you meet! I think that’s a wonderful thing to happen. I would never have met you or known of your brother, without running, and I’m sure many others here too that started running from the loss of a loved one. In turn, I’ve told my non-running OH and my family about you, your Rainbow Run, and your brother. So he is still out there with you, and still living through you. And now I’m sounding all ‘Lion King’ so I’ll shut up 🤣 How’s the taekwondo going for your lad? Any competitions on the horizon? 😘

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

Aah thank you so much Equi!! 🤗 I genuinely feel a touch of grace with meeting so many fabulous people on this forum! And of course you in person. 😁

The boys have been a great inspiration to me too. They’re so active and in supporting them, I’ve got the bug, but had to find a much milder activity at my age!! Rugby and taekwondo is a little too athletic! 😂 I do so love to see them in action.

My older son will be at the British Championship in November, defending his gold. 🤩😬 I actually don’t like to see him on that mat, but I equally have to be there! 🤪! I’m very proud of the young men they have become. Absolutely huge, but gentle giants always with a smile on their face. Who can defend themselves if necessary, but wouldn’t hurt a fly! From my perspective that’s a mission complete and I hope they always stay that way too!

Thank you so much for your kind words and all of your encouragement along the way!! It is equally a great pleasure! ❤️

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Ah November! My mind was playing tricks about the date 😁 I still try to live by the TKD tenets / values, although it was 25 years ago for me. I wish we’d been allowed to do rugby (and football) at school! Don’t they say ‘Rugby is a thugs game played by gentlemen, and football; vice versa’ 🤣🤣🤣

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

I always say that too about rugby! One of my Guernsey colleagues is the Captain of the ladies team! Lucky girl! 😍!

Oh the TKD values are phenomenal. You really couldn’t wish for more grounding for your kids. My older son actually took up the sport in his later teens without me knowing. He knew I would struggle with the thought of those flying kicks and punches. So he told me when he felt he was ready to take it to the next level. I thought he was just going to the gym! 🙄🙇🏽‍♀️😂

It’s the Matt Fiddes School British Championships in November and it’s at Oasis Leisure Centre. So close by. 😁❤️

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

I was BUTF but I’ll look up the date and may be able to add some support 😁👍

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

It’s a great day Equi, but very long. He’s in the last heaviest category at the end of the day! But it’s worth the wait! 😍❤️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

I never had a 40th birthday party, so my friend jollied me in to having a 50th. I decided to have my 40th and 50th at the same time (cheeky friends bought me a card with 90 on it). Are you having a celebratory do when you get to your milestone? Or are you doing a special run?

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

90!! 🤣! Fantastic idea! I’m hoping to be away on holiday somewhere nice and hot. It’s in July so the odds are stacked in my favour!! 😉😁❤️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Fabulous.....your post.... you.... your achievement. Thanks for sharing.

[Gingernutter Graduate]

I love hearing about people's reasons for starting C25K and what keeps them motivated to carry on. So thank you for sharing and congrats on sticking at it through thick and thin 😊

I do think for a lot of us it is an age thing, I'm 50 next year and I feel it's now or never for me!! 😳🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Gingernutter]

Thanks so much Ginger! It feels so good to know you can!! 😁😍❤️