And the surprises keep on coming!: Today I find... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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And the surprises keep on coming!

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate
26 Replies

Today I find my self working away from home in the delightful west country city of Hereford.

As always, the running gear is in the bag and on the way to Hereford, I treat myself to a beanie hat with a head torch built into it, which would prove to be a brilliant buy.

At 5.30pm I arrive at my B+B (Brandon Lodge on the A49 - FANTASTIC) and it is dark. I speak to my host as I know she is a keen runner herself, to get a route which would keep me off the roads. Armed with some info, I get changed into my fluorescent yellow top, pull on my new beanie hat with torch and off I go for what I presume will be my normal 30 minute session.

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how tonight was going to work out, I'd had a week off from running after being laid up with a bad cold (man-flu), but 15 minutes in, the legs felt like I never been away and the breathing also good.

Anyway, we are now 20 minutes into this unfamiliar route, a cycle path that cuts through the city, and I should be turning round to head back. But I feel good, so instead, I keep going.

Eventually, I run out of cycle path and I now have to turn around and make my way back. I get back to my starting point and push the button on my watch to stop the timer. To my surprise, I had just ran for 1 hour and 1 minute. I have never ran for that long! I kinda thought I had it in me but had never pushed myself to do it.

But, that was not the only surprise. As the title suggests, the best surprise was still to come.

Once back in my room, I plot my route into my route planner . . . . . 10.28k

Without planning it, without thinking about it, I'd just completed my first 10k run in 1h 01min. Cue big (massive actually) grin.

Seven months ago 5k was a pipe dream - 10k was what nightmares were made of. Today, 10k became a reality. C25K made it happen

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Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970
Graduate
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26 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Hehe... and that 10k snook up on you when you least expected it! Amazing run, very good time for that first 10k... congratulations all round there! First of many too... keep on running, keep on loving it.

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toUnfitNoMore

Had no intention of doing it Unfit, it really just happened . . . . soooo glad it did :D

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply toJulian1970

We must speak about this... one day I’ll want 26.2 to sneak up and grab me 😂😂

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toUnfitNoMore

I think a 13.1 will be my absolute limit Unfit! But a regular 6.2 will be good enough for now me thinks :D

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply toJulian1970

I’m going to hit 10k semi accidentally, I know the run is coming but I’m on a 5k plan... then I consolidate on that and go for a marathon plan, so HM on the way. After that I don’t know... I planned to come back down but I’m kinda getting hooked, achievements such as yours today really spur me on.

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toUnfitNoMore

It's a huge step to do a marathon. I have been speaking to some one who has just completed the Dublin marathon. The dedication to training is immense, putting in at least one 18-20 miler a week, on top of three or four short runs each week. Absolute hat off to you and I hope you realise your ambition Unfit . . . I'll keep dreaming of the 1/2 marathon ;)

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply toJulian1970

Trying to get my head around 20 miles without support... I have a mate at the end of a nice 15 miler... but I may need friends to move to convenient locations and buy defribillators 😂

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate

Fantastic Julian! To do so unplanned must be very rewarding too. Running for an hour, in unfamiliar territory and doing 10k, well what can I say? 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽! Brilliant! 🤩🤩🤩❤️

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toFabulous450

I mean when I say, no one is more surprised than me Fabulous. Trouble is, I might have to make a 10k a regular event . . . . scary!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toJulian1970

Ah Julian but you don’t need to plan it, you know you can just do it, when you feel like it! 😁😁😍❤️

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toFabulous450

Don't know about that Fab. It might just be it was dark and I didn't want to stop haha!

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply toJulian1970

😉 whatever works! 😁😁❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

The runs evolve... if we relax.., and just let them.

Go YOU!!! Very well done! xx

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Cheers floss. I will never forget all the support and encouragement you guys gave me to get through C25K. I hope by continuing to share my progress, others can see it doesn't just end at graduation. You can keep surprising yourself.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toJulian1970

Indeed you are right! It is so important that folk like you keep posting to show that, yes, it does go on and just gets better. Thank you !

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

The split for 10k must be under the hour too.......well done.

I hope you are inside your 10% rule on your carefully structured training plan!?!?

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

Tonight was not particularly structured Ian, however I was at the point where I needed to start to push myself to the next level. I am still running three times a week but I think a plan change to now include one long run into my week is a reasonable next step. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Well done on that 10k run Julian...brilliant that it just happened!

Hop over to the Bridge to 10k site and collect your badge! 😊

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Didn't even think about that Bluebird :D

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Very very well done Julian! What an amazing run, and the fact it was unplanned must have been especially sweet. 👍🏃👏

What a superstar! 😀 Good luck with wherever your running journey takes you next. 🏃🏃🏃

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply tocheekychipmunks

Thanks Cheeky :D

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate

We love an accidental 10k! Well done Julian 🙌🏼🙂

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toSaartjie

They are definitely the best king Saartjie . . . great to hear from you :D

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate in reply toJulian1970

Sorry I don't really post anymore as I never feel I have anything new to say! But i do check in from time to time. Still running though. Glad to hear you are too 😊

Joobytom profile image
Joobytom

Great write up! Well done you!😀

Julian1970 profile image
Julian1970Graduate in reply toJoobytom

Thanks Jooby :D

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