Up until now I've been running loops around my local streets, with the usual uneven roads and steep camber pavements. I've been coming close to my local beach, but resisting the ever increasing temptation to run it... I’ve saved the run along the beach path for today, graduation day. The path was laid out before me, wide, flat and not a single person in sight. My kids have grown up using this beach as their playground and I've always enviously watched the runners along the beach path pass us by... today was my turn.
I had my raucous punk rock mashup at the ready to drive me forward at the touch of a button. Laura gave me the nod and I set off on today's run with a spring in my step, and an ideal goal in mind: a 30 minute 5K. The last two runs had got me within a cat's whisker, so today was the day...
5K was going down.
'Hate to say I told you so’ by The Hives was the first track to get the blood pumping, it felt like it was going to be a good run. The first kilometre was over slightly early, so i eased back on the reins a fraction, found a steady pace and started to enjoy the views out to sea and the lights twinkling over on the Isle of Wight. Breathing was good, the path was perfect, and the Solent winds blew.
The only slight obstacle along this route was just before the second kilometre, a steep man made ramp up to a high platform and then down again the other side. I powered myself up it, fuelled by 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' by the Stooges blasting out of the headphones. At the top I had time to compose myself...phiew... then down the other slope... to a flat run up to the skate park. Just on from here marked the half way point 2.5k and arrived before the half way bell... things were looking good. A quick turn, then back over the hump and took in the sea views again whilst keeping the breathing deep, calm and under control.
The 4th kilometre came, this was it... time to slowly build the pace until the final track ‘Ace Of Spades’ by Motörhead thundered in, it was time... I sprinted to the finish with Lemmy's gravely voice pushing me to the end... waited for the 5k signal... double checked it was still there...! and hit the stop button. Then a slow slow jog for the remaining 28 seconds until the 30 minutes were up, so I could claim my all important graduate badge! 🏅
I'd recorded 5.01K in 29.32
(5K dead on was 29.25)
I feel so incredibly proud of being a part of this; Before 9 weeks ago I knew didily-squat about how to become a runner. The program is fantastic, but It has also been the advice I’ve gained by reading the goldmine of information on this forum, which has helped the most. Tips on technique, pace, hydration, running shoes, rest days, socks, apps, music, mindset…… sports bras…! I’ll read ‘em all! …If you do happen to be in the market for a good sports bra then I'd recommend splashing out on a ‘Shock Absorber’ this appears to be a very popular choice.
Thanks to all the amazing people i've met here, but in particular thanks to the mentors and administrators for their incredible hard work in making this place what it is.
This journey has made me feel like a completely new man, mind, body and soul!
Keep running, everyone! …and embrace that happy pace 😁x
Congratulations! Sounds like a cracking run, and what a great time you set. You’ve a long rest of the day to celebrate too, cheers 🍻. Enjoy consolidation and your next running adventures.
Ah that's such a great post!! Congratulations ⚡️ThunderSloth⚡️! Sounds like an exhilarating experience! I can't wait to run in a beautiful location like that. I'm on W6 and likewise feel so grateful for all the great people on here sharing what they know and how they're feeling. 🙌💪😄
Thank you so much bel73 you're running with your son aren't you? I hope its all still going well for you. I'm looking forward to doing that soon too with my boy... keep up the good work 🙌
Wow! What a fantastic way to complete the C5K and graduate 🎓 in style! I would say that you are now a perfectly legitimate member of the “running along the beach front club”. Must be so uplifting to look out to sea while running to those great tracks. Big virtual celebration hug from me 🎉👏🤸♀️👏🎉🤸♀️🥁
It all went to plan for me today Dragonflies. Everyone is welcome to Run with me on MY beach! Hugs back too you too - you're going to be on the podium very soon indeed!
Oh TS that sounded epic - and to reach 5k in under 30 minutes too. I seriously don’t think I’ll ever reach that (it’s ok, I’m happy being a little 🐌)!
And your beach run sounds heavenly.
Huge congratulations to you! Your badge certainly suits you. Stay up on the podium for a good long time and have some swigs of 🍾 to celebrate. Cheers! 🥂 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Well done ThunderSloth what an incredible achievement and hitting a sub 30 minute 5k as well. Please keep posting, would love to hear how you get in from now on. X
I'm dead chuffed Flower, surprised myself. I'm not planning on going anywhere, lots of lovely people to see graduate too, keep it up tough cookie 🍪 it'll be your turn soon enough can't wait! Hope you're ok x
Great news ThunderSloth. Well done!! Before I saw the little map on your pic I knew you were talking about Lee-on-Solent by the description of that ramp 😂. Good effort because that’s one heck of a ramp. Enjoy the celebrations 🎉
Not at all!! That’s Lee-on-Solent’s very own mountain!!
I’m in Gosport so when I wean myself off the treadmill I suspect I’ll use the beach for some running. Of course, I’ll employ some strategic planning to avoid the mountain range 😂
Haha! yes good plan, we are fairly lucky with how few hills we have. Well let me know if you find any nice routes when you do start venturing out. Honestly it’s taking over... I took the kids to Alver Valley Country Park at the weekend, all I could think about was how nice it would be to run there!!! 🤪
I’ve even started being a bit more careful about moving awkwardly when I reach for things. Wouldn’t want to injure myself and not be able to run would I!! I imagine by week 9 I’ll be insisting on being fed in bed and preserving my body for run time only. Never ever thought I’d get attitude about NOT being able to run 🤯
Cheers Jag1jacq, very please indeed, that'll keep me happy for ages!
Well hello there graduate 🤩👌
Huge congratulations! You totally smashed that run... 5k!!!!! 💥💪 Amazing! You should be so proud! 🏆
Great photo, it looks like it was absolutely beautiful out there this morning, Awesome that you saved this route for today’s run! I’m lucky enough to live by the coast too, absolutely love it!
Thank you so much for sharing your c25k journey, I’ve loved reading all of your posts! You certainly have a huge talent for writing as well as running (5ks in under 30mins 😆🙌)
I’m over the moon for you Thundersloth! I’ll be joining you soon... 4 more runs for me 😬
I’m gonna steal those tunes for my play list... if Lemmy can’t get my legs moving faster, then I’m pretty sure no one can 😜
Enjoy your day & celebrations!
You did it!!!! 💛✌️
• in reply to
Well hello there 😎 I did it Dreams! 🙌 I'm going to have to work out what I've eaten... if I'm ever going to replicate that again... hehe!
Aah! you get the pleasure of a beach run too, my first one of many today... lush.
Aah thank you so much Dreams that's really kind of you! It's been fun sharing all my nonsense with you and I've loved reading everyone else's posts too.
An Ace of Spades finish is pretty awesome... although there are SO MANY great songs for a sprint finish! 🤔
NOT LONG NOW...! 🤗💙
WOHOO!
• in reply to
You will definitely be able to replicate it again!... 💪🏅
You’ve done it once... 💥🙌
I haven’t ran by the beach yet... I’m so tempted to just go & do it tho!
You’re so right, spoilt for choice with sprint finish songs... I ran with Bowie for my whole run today... pretty special,✨👌
Enjoy your evening 🙌
• in reply to
You’re absolutely right! I literally did it this morning so why doubt I can do it again?!?!? Bloomin gremlins...! Thanks for sorting my head out again Dreams, I don’t know what came over me 🤨 what’s stopped you from running the beach so far? All the pro runners? Too cold? Too dark when you go? 🤷🏻♂️
Hmmm... like your thinking... sounds good 28mins of Bowie sounds like a very enjoyable consolation run 🤔 💡
• in reply to
Now you’re talking! 😆 Get those gremlins out of your head! 😬 You’re a runner! 🎉
When I think about it... I think it’s the gremlins that are stopping me run at the beach 🙈 I’ve literally ran the same (ish) route straight from my house the whole way through this, except once in week 6 & I totally messed up & ended up not finishing 🙈
I keep thinking about changing it 🤯but I think I’ll wait till after graduation now...
I need stop overthinking, get a grip & just do it! 😬
• in reply to
...I do get that though, you’ve got a good routine going so why muck it up. I tried doing my lap the other way around a few times and although it didn’t really feel much different the distance I covered really took a hit, very odd. Keep doing what your doing... that’s cool, if it ain’t broke... 🔨
Plus... it’s not like you’ve got long to wait now eh ?! 🙌⭐️
• in reply to
Sound advice there! Thank you Thundersloth, One day I’ll venture further afield, not sure when like... but, one day 🤣🙃
Amazing job and congratulations on an amazing graduation run. Wow! What a great time! I think you can officially take the ‘sloth’ out of your username. ☺️
I’m in that time of year when I’m stuck watching strictly... I’m just thankful I got little miss UNM into real music or I’d have to watch that b’ll’cks
Wow wow wow!! Huge congratulations and well done TS!! You sooo deserve it!! Hope you had a brilliant evening :-). Now for that consolidation time - but you've done brilliantly, especially already being able to get 5k in sub 30! You are my hero!! Keep posting though!
Aaaah! Thanks KD ...I made it! Really looking forward to the consolidation runs now, going to have fun with them, off to Aberystwyth for a long weekend to see some friends so will be trying out some of those little Welsh hills 😬😬😬 and country lanes so that should be very nice indeed 👍 Don’t worry I’m not going anywhere I’ve got lots of friends I want to watch graduate too 😉 What are you on now? W8 R2 or R3? xxx
Thank you Fab! I’ve been sneaking over the bridge and reading your posts, but now I’m a graduate I’ll feel more worthy of leaving a comment on them now 🤣 I hope you’re all good and thanks for the support xxx 😘
Plenty more where those came from Ian, I’ll send you a DM of my playlist next time I’m having a sort through of the music... an ace of spades finish is great fun! ♠️
Congratulations, well done. You're amazing 😁😁. Can I run with you please?? The location looks incredible but the running soundtrack you chose was even better. I'm amazed you didn't run 5k in half the time listening to Lemmy and Iggy. 😂😂 Congratulations again and keep it up.
Hi Annlucia, Stubbington Green runners just ran past the kitchen window, it wasn’t you was it?! 🙂
The beach is a lovely run and very quiet at sunrise, I think I’ll give windy days a miss down there though... sometimes it’s hard enough walking in it!
I’ve manly been running laps between the Cuckoo Pint and the Osborne View (too early to pop in for a pint unfortunately! 🍺)
But am going to work out a couple of nice laps around Stubbington village, I keep eyeing up that path around Daedalus too looks nice and flat! If you see any nice running spots then let me know... 👍
I’m not brave enough to join a running group. I think I am too slow still have not managed 5k in 30 mins, maybe your playlist would get me moving quicker 😀 My running routes are laps of the village biggest choice is which way do I turn when I leave the house. If I find a more inspiring route I will let you know.
Did several laps of the park yesterday with my grandsons nice to have someone to run with, but tedious and the boys got bored.
I only found the app a few weeks ago and I’m using it for inspiration. I doubt I could inspire. I’ve been doing the program since July. Repeated weeks 1-4 so many times I feared me and Michael Johnson might fall out. W6R2 last night but didn’t really enjoy the run until the very end (when I allowed the thoughts of a hot shower and mac and cheese to creep in) 😂
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so you must have some steel in yours 
Go, go, Gadget-Legs!
Week Eight - Complete …WOW! 😲
Week 4 Run 2
Week 7 complete!
