Ok, when Oldfloss calls, we reply and here's my ramble.
Once l graduated it all felt like uncharted territory. Only me, wilderness, beasts, elements and 'what is next' kinda funky feeling. So. I simply did what l knew best. I repeated the whole C25K from scratch. That's what's known as 'ultimate consolidation'. I got to like that approach so much that l applied it to Bridge to 10K, and then did the same thing with half marathon. At least nobody can accuse me of being half hearted. Marathon was the next logical step which took longer and harder to train for but l did it anyway although l know that in order to stay true to my principles l now have to 'consolidate' marathons. Oh well...
I have always been a sports aficionado. I love them all. Watching rather than playing, never missing major televised events, any sport would do but running and basketball are my joint number one. And tennis. And football. And swimming. And martial arts.
My lifestyle could not be more contrasting though. Barely sleeping, heavy smoking, pleasantly refreshed, having fun on the loop. It took one journey inside a speeding ambulance and a chat with a doctor who only had to take one look at my wretched self to offer some sane words of advise for me to change my ways and take up running, changing everything upside-down, inside-out, improving my life, other people's lives, divine intervention, if you wish.
Running gives me peace, solace, focus, strength, logic, better decision making, patience, better judgment, fit body, all jigsaws are finally in their right places.
I'm a lone distance runner. With my own set of rules and decisions I've got absolute freedom over where, when, how and how long, always outside, everywhere, in all weather conditions. I won't do events or run with other people, that would go against that little perfect world that l built, like a modern day urban equivalent of Forrest Gump, haha..
This forum, too many names to mention but you know who you are, has offered continuous support, priceless at times. Excellent admin ladies, The Mentor, the works. Thank you all.
I loved "all the jigsaws are finally in their right places"
That perspective, on how our minds, bodies and spirits are inextricably linked and that running finally helps us realise that complexity and that so much of it is in our control, is something that I share with you.
A skilled piano tuner will bring a battered old wreck to life. And that's what we've done to ourselves by simply doing this. I keep telling it to whoever wants to listen, especially those stuck with me in a car during longer journeys. If you ever see someone running along a motorway, they must have been my passengers.
What a journey you’ve taken bless! Certainly inspires me to keep going - thank you! I also agree about the support etc we receive from ‘everyone’ (impossible to read and reply to all due to sheer numbers, as much as I’d like to), and the advice given by more experienced runners to newbies such as myself, is always welcome and v much appreciated imo x
Thank you! Some, for some reason quit. Fair play but to throw away a natural gift is something l don't quite get. Why kill a kid inside of you? Do children stop running? Exactly.
This is exactly the reason why I started running. I’d see children running,skipping and pretending to be a horse galloping and I remembered that exquisite feeling of freedom and as an adult I didn’t have that freedom, so that’s why I now run(when no one is around I sometimes even pretend to be a horse 🐴 😂) and I’ve got that child like freedom back.
A while ago my 7-year old said, “Come on Mum, let’s skip” as we walked along the road and I was pretty horrified at the thought as there were other people around and also because I was so unfit.
Now, I find that 7-year old in me and go for it. This running thing changes so much in your life, it’s great.
Beautiful words. Beautiful photo. You’ve left me in an all round blubfest. I love that you are so clear about what <your> kind of running is - that there are no ‘shoulds’ - I *should* (ha!) give myself permission to do the same. Thank you.
Apparently I’ve become a running bore. (So Madam Loris keeps telling everyone after I’ve tried to persuade them to start running for a couple of hours.)
Way to go! MrsRun has always claimed that running is probably the most boring thing there is (she's a martial arts expert), and thought l was descending into insanity of middle age. Well, now she is running as well. We are winning this thing!
Well if we didn't have that pre running life to compare to, (mine also included nicotine and no exercise other than walking) we wouldn't appreciate this gift that we now have.
Thank you for such a reflective post, I loved reading it🤗
Yet another race event yesterday tried to extol the joys of event running and whilst I may one day try it, that day is far away. Nothing beats the peace and solitary adventures!
I am looking forward to the marathon consolidation reports! 😉
It's a life changer to be sure. The benefits cannot be more highly praised and the fact there are so many different avenues to take to fit in into ones life and make it work for everyone makes it probably the best choice for flexibility and long term commitment.
Marathon consolidations? That's another 10 years sorted for me. London cabbies need to pass their 'Knowledge' test in order to get the licence, I think l just might go and run every street in town to get my distance approvals. New ideas are certainly opening up!
Thanks for sharing your journey and it sounds like you’re having a great time. You’ve done so much with this and it gives the rest of us so much confidence to know that everyone on here started at the same point with those 1 minute runs in week 1 that felt so difficult at the time.
Thank you! Improbable things are indeed very possible in the end. My first run was so hard, awkward, painful and breathless that l nearly ended up recuperating in the pub over a beer and a fag. Thank sanity that l reconsidered it.
Lovely. And helpful in, I think, just the way Oldfloss hoped, providing a perspective that will gives some of us relative Newbies a view of possible ways forward. I am developing into a solitary runner, I suspect, tho’ I much enjoy hearing about all the group event experiences. So thanks.
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Couch to half marathon..who me?
Hello!
9:2 it’s been emotional 
Why do I run?
One year couch to 5k anniversary! 
