Well, my lovely fellow runners... I felt a little out of kilter all day and wasn’t sure whether I would run tonight. My ankle felt a bit tweaky, I’m still not 100% recovered from the pox, the rain started lashing down and when we got to the stadium we realised my son had left his gym kit by the front door. I wasn’t sure if he would be allowed to do athletics in his school clothes, but he was... and the rain eased off a bit... and so... I started running.
Round and round. Round and round. Round and round. I got into the rhythm of wind and rain in my face on one stretch and quiet calm on the opposite. Kate Bush has seen me through quite a few of these runs, so I thought we would finish this one together. It became background noise, though. My breathing never quite settled into that easy place, but I was going a little faster on the track and still coughing up the nasties occasionally, so that was to be expected.
It wasn’t the easiest run, but it wasn’t the hardest either. I was glad when Michael called the 30 minutes and I went to a walk straight away, rather than push it further. I was tired and figured there is time for that, when I’m feeling fresher... I felt a bit lost. There was only one other person on the track - a very fit looking sprinter lady - and I walked over to her and told her I had just at that very moment finished the Couch to 5k - and then cried (a little bit). Thankfully she was extremely nice to the slightly unbalanced woman and said all the right things.
I bought my running shoes at the shop by the track 8 weeks ago and they asked me to pop my head in and tell them how I’m going, so I did. No resting on my laurels there! When are you coming to Parkrun, they said!
I got talking last week to a lady upstairs whose son also goes to athletics. She used to run but has fallen out of the habit. She said tonight that she has joined a local running club and will be starting this week! I was so pleased for her, and privately wondered if perhaps I inspired her, just a little?! That would be nice.
This isn’t the Oscars, but I do want to say a big thank you to this forum and the administrators, who are always there, watching our wobbly first steps and giving nothing but encouragement as we leap up and down with excitement or slump in self-doubt. Posting on this forum, reading the posts, communicating with people on the same journey, has been a big part of this process. You are all marvellous.
A few stats for you 😉:
My resting heart rate when I started C25k on 6 December 2018 was 68.
It dropped to 54 before I got this virus. Today it is 58.
I weighed 10st7lbs. Today I am 10st.
In the week before starting this I went for 3 x 30 minute walks at a 12’54” pace cross country averaging 122-130 bpm. This week I walked for 40 minutes at a 9’56” pace cross country averaging 112 bpm.
My fastest km was 5’59” in week 7 run 3 (25 minute run)
My fastest mile was 9’50” in week 7 run 3.
My fastest 5k was today! I ran 4.75km in 30’, and reached the 5k at walking pace in 32’25”.
I am leaner in my thighs, butt is firmer, stomach is flatter. I wasn’t massive before, but several people have mentioned I look slimmer. I have patched two old pairs of skinny jeans (which had ripped under pressure) and have worn them in comfort. 😊
I feel more energised! I am hoping as the days grow longer to start running before work more. I can be in the office for 6 hours and barely walk a few hundred steps some days - it’s just not good for mind or body. Going into work knowing I already have 7000+ steps in the tank is a great feeling.
The desire to smoke has diminished significantly. I’m not sure it will ever disappear entirely in certain situations, but I don’t want to sabotage my breathing. I don’t drink much anyway, but that’s reduced also - although I am going to toast myself with a good measure of Jura Origin tonight!
I know more about physiology and my own body. I’m looking after myself a bit better, ie, keeping hydrated, massaging bits, warming up/cooling down.
When I started this, after a run I used to feel ravenous. I don’t now. In fact, my appetite has diminished a bit.
I think I’m in good enough shape to take my son to a Junior Park Run and support him by running with him. We are planning to go the weekend after next...
The other day, I started to see how running a half marathon might be... errr... kind of... fun/amazing/significant? (in more than two months, mum).
So there we have it. I’m not ready to leave you so I’ll stick about a while longer, if that’s OK.
Thankyou 🤗
Written by
ktsok
Graduate
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I’m in tears 😭 of joy of course at your wonderful achievement! Well done 👍🏻
Despite the elements you went out to fight and conquered, veni, vedi, vici! 🌿
Also super interesting about your heart rate having lowered, that’s a great result and also possibly inspiring one person to start the journey. Next, your mum!
Please do stay on here and post, I always love to read you!
Awww your post made me cry! I'm sooooo made up for you. 💕 what an amazing journey and an incredible achievement!!! Hopefully I'll be joining you on the podium tomorrow and then we can start half marathon training together 🤣🤣🤣😜 x
Lol! Definitely going to relish the podium moment, its been one hell of a journey!!! Enjoy your victory! Maybe take your mum round with you on your victory lap? 😂🤣
This has been such an amazing journey and such a pleasure to travel it with you. Enjoy your reward 🥃 and keep in touch. We all want to follow your HM journey, although I don’t think i’ll be doing that one with you, and definitely not in two months 😂
Well done ands thank you for your entertaning, interesting and honest regular updates. I hope to follow you graduating later this week - I completed a 30 minute run for the first time this morning. With my very low tech approach I only know my running distance was 4.5k which I am happy with at this stage. I look forward to hearing where you go from here.
Whooooo hooooo Ktsok 😀👍👏👏👏🏃🏼♀️💐💐💐💐. Fabulous finish to an amazing journey. You are shining bright and it’s amazing how the programme can change so many little things. Many happy running days ahead 💗.
Congratulations! What a list of victories there... that’s just awesome. I’m sure you inspired that lady to restart. Enjoy a Jura... think I have some of that here somewhere 😂. I must warn you that junior parkrun is the most amazing thing on earth... you’ll have a great time. Enjoy celebrating, consolidating and that road to 13.1... I’ll see you there.
I love it - you have the badge of honour already. I am taking someone to hospital every day for radiotherapy and finding in hard to fit a run it. I bottled it yesterday as the weather was horrible. The weather is lovely now but I don't have a spare hour this morning. Fingers crossed for this afternoon - I am so excited for you - and a bit jealous!
Oooh do I?! I’m on the app, must go to the website and admire my virtual bling.
That’s very good of you mafee. Must be tough for all concerned... the runs will be there waiting when you can squeeze them in, I hope this afternoon provides you the opportunity. Don’t be jealous -the joy is still to come for you! 🙂
Lovely post and very inspiring. You’ve been noticeable from when I joined for your humour and your supportive attitude to others. So glad it has worked so well for you!🎉👏🏼 Do keep posting, and do enjoy your achievement in all its statistical and psychological glory! 😊👍
Ah thank you for those kind words Granspeed. I shall indeed stick around a while longer and cheer a few more over the finishing line! And yes, I’m rolling around like a happy pig in clover in all those stats! 😊
Wow, well done and a mighty congratulations to you! Awww, I’m so excited to read this — I can almost feel your emotion. I feel pretty sure you did inspire that lady, by the way — seeing people doing what we long to goes a long way.
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Graduation 
3 Runs Left !!!!!
I've done my first 6k! :) 
W9 R3 ✅ 🎓 
W8R3 Done, Roll on Graduation Week!
