Park Run - Sister vs Brother - the challenge i... - Couch to 5K

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Park Run - Sister vs Brother - the challenge is on!

The kick up the rear that got me into C25K in the first place came from my brother, 2 years younger than me, and super-fit. He's clocked up over 150 Park Runs, he's run a marathon, he's trekked 200 miles in the Himalayas, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, climbed Aconcagua in South America, and recently cycled from London to Paris. He's been not-so-subtly suggesting I do the Park Run with him for ages now and I always say an emphatic NO! A few months ago he said, with a mixture of pity and exasperation, 'You know, one of the organizers always walks at the back, so you wouldn't be the last one.' Cheeky so and so, what makes him think I'd come last? (although I have to say that was my thought, too!) So on 1 October I started doing C25K in secret, with the aim of turning up at the last Park Run before Christmas and surprising him by running the course - and not coming last!

Yesterday we were exchanging emails and I suggested I go round to his house on Saturday 22 December to do the Christmas present exchange, as he and his family are going away for Christmas. I casually asked, 'What time do you get back from Park Run? I'll come after that.'

He took the bait, as I knew he would. Ever hopeful, he mailed me back. 'Why don't you do the Park Run as well? You can walk it, you know. And then come round to ours after that?'

I didn't want him to smell a rat, so I left it an hour before I replied. 'Well, I haven't got you a present yet, so maybe I'll do Park Run with you. As long as it's not pouring with rain. See you at the start line.'

I can't tell you how excited I am to see the look on his face as I jog round without stopping. It's that thought that has kept me going from W1R1, when I only managed 5 of the 8 one-minute runs and could barely walk home. I'm doing W5R3 tonight and although I know it's going to be tough (they are all tough in their own way!) I'm going to give it my best shot. And if I don't make it, I'll try again on Saturday morning, and I'll keep on trying until I get that magic 20-minute run under my belt before moving on to week 6.

However much of the Park Run I manage to jog, two things are certain: I won't be walking, and I won't be coming last.

Written by

Amerynthe

Graduate

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12 Replies

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Dexy5Graduate6 years ago

What a brilliant tale Amerynthe. Your brother will be so proud of you. Just take it slow and steady and you will be running 20 minutes. 🏃‍♀️👏👏

AmeryntheGraduate• in reply toDexy56 years ago

Thanks! I'm a big fan of slow and steady! I remember Aesop's fable of The Hare and The Tortoise from my childhood!

Dexy5Graduate• in reply toAmerynthe6 years ago

🐢.......🐇

Bloodhound16 years ago

Go for it. With your level of determination you are guaranteed success. Go sort that brother out😂

misswobbleGraduate6 years ago

Yeah go dead steady. It’s about finishing each sessions. That’s the task every time. building legs is about slow running and rest days between runs. That’s how the magic happens Your lungs will benefit from going slowly on these training runs.

I would love my husband to run with me so I know how your brother feels I thinks he’s worrying about you. Go make him proud. Yourself too 💪👍😃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

AmeryntheGraduate• in reply tomisswobble6 years ago

Thanks! I feel quite proud of myself every time I go out and I know my brother's nagging comes from his worry about my health - combined with the family history of heart disease (which he doesn't have, but I do!) I am determined to reverse the trend of heart attack at 58!