Nearing the line - week 9!

[Pianism]

Well, folks, that's your final rhyming post header from me (but you don't get rid of me that easily!).

So that's the final week of the programme started. 2 more runs to go before I cross the line. A line which is both a finish line and a start line... the finish-line of this amazing programme and the start line of me as a runner. Wow!

Today's run was interesting. If I believed that a higher power had enough time or interest in what little old me is doing on a Thursday morning, I'd be certain this was a test. The moment I stepped out of the door, it started to rain. Heavily. By the time I got to the start point of my warm up walk, it was like a couple of firemen had opened their hoses on me. I couldn't see, I couldn't get my phone to open so I could turf Laura out of her pit. I couldn't see my Garmin to start the run. I actually don't know why I carried on at that point, other than I was already there.

As soon as I started running, the rain stopped. At EXACTLY half way, the sun came out for a few moments. By the time I got back to where I'd started, all was peaceful and calm, tantrum over. Now I know I have the mental strength to get through anything the weather can throw at me.

Perhaps it was a long-lost relative with nothing better to do for an hour... if it was, I thank them!

[RunaroundSue]

Brilliant post, Pianism It is always a bonus when a run and/or the weather turns out better than expected. See you later.

[Pianism Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

Thank you. My pace would have been faster if I'd have known how lovely a lunch I'd got ahead of me.

[RunaroundSue in reply to Pianism]

Thank you for helping me test the new recipe

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Maybe you should add an umbrella to your running kit ? Well done you ⭐️

[RunaroundSue in reply to ButtercupKid]

A few years ago in Lanzarote the street vendors were selling little umbrellas to wear on your head. Imagine the fun of trying to grapple with the elastic headband to keep it on, at the same time as managing Laura and the Garmin ☔

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

😂

[Pianism Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Ha - I'd have been up in the sky like a 16st Mary Poppins!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Hope you’ve got the right bag for it 😄

[Pianism Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Mostly flight-cases....

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Hmmm. Can you fit a hat stand in them ? 😄

[Pianism Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Mic stand, yes. Hat stand, no.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Much the same in terms of dimensions 😄

[johnt46 Graduate]

Congratulations, not far to go now and I like your sense of humour, I thank them all whenever I manage to finish a run, wherever they are, 😂

[Pianism Graduate in reply to johnt46]

Thank you. The weather looks a little better for next week so fingers crossed!

[Granspeed Graduate]

And you thought the fun was all over now you’re not bumbling around the park in the January dark. Silly you. 😄

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Haha. Now I'm bumbling along the river with the other runners and cyclists.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Week 10 Parkrun again... don't forget next Sat. We will all be celebrating with you 👏👍

[Pianism Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Yup! It will be parkrun 11 for me. I might have the tiniest touch of hangover as I'm out with my team the night before. I've already cancelled once because it was W5R3 the next day and the thought of conquering that challenge when less than optimal was more than I could bear!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Hehe, yes sometimes one feels the elements are there to test us. Well done for passing the test and enjoy the final lap!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thank you.

[mummybowles Graduate]

Brilliant - you battled the elements and won !

[Pianism Graduate in reply to mummybowles]

Thank you

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

That doesn’t sound like a fun start to a run! Well done for sticking with it, it must’ve felt great to push through all that n end on a calmer note. Enjoy the rest of Week 9!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

It certainly felt better than putting it off.

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to Pianism]

I know what you mean, I really don’t like putting a run off either. Hope the weather improves for your last 2 runs of the programme 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Nice one! That weather is something else... I timed to go out between regular bursts of worn and rain... it was cold and paths were wet... that was a couple of hours ago... not rained since, sun is out, paths are dry... I should have waited another hour!

Like you say though... if you can get through that, nothing is going to stop you.. great running. Enjoy run 2.

[Pianism Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you Bring on the lighter nights and warmer weather!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Pianism]

You’ll have a wonderful summer of running.