W9r2 Better than expected

[MuddledGardener]

I haven’t really got much to say about this run. I was tired after a disturbed night, and due to a change in routine, hadn’t been able to drink as much as I would have liked. Therefore, I felt decidedly meh about this run.

We went much earlier this evening, as one of our buddies had to be elsewhere at six pm. The weather was beautifully cool, with a refreshing breeze. I was worried that I would struggle, as I’d only taken my inhaler at the last minute, and I had the usual burning sensation in my trachea, during the warm up. However, with music blaring in my lugholes, off I trotted. Like Monday’s run, I took it slowly, as I knew that was a tried and tested formula.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the five minute increments flew by, and I felt my pace naturally quicken. At no time was I ever out of breath. I even managed a sort of sprint at the end, although I deliberately didn’t push myself to go as fast as I could. According to my Fitbit, my pace was back to what it was last Friday (which was my fastest so far) and I covered more ground, 3.47k, still nowhere near 5k, but it really doesn’t bother me.

Last night, when I should have been tucked up in bed, I spent ages on the Parkrun website, finishing by registering. And just now I ordered a lovely purple wristband with my barcode on! However, I won’t be able to go for a couple of weeks, so I’ll have to be patient. 😁

Just one more run, then this chapter will be over. It is, I hope and anticipate, to be the opening one of a very long book of running. I have even asked my four year old granddaughter if she would like to join in a Junior Parkrun, after her success at sports day last week, and she said yes! Start ‘em young! 😊

[suebuzz Graduate]

Fantastic - I love it when we have little or no expectations of a run and it turns out great. Your distance is on a par with mine and at 62 I don’t care. We will reach that 5K at some point. No hurry is there. I might register for Park Run now but at the moment I’m consolidating badly 😂😂😂

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to suebuzz]

Register today! It doesn’t commit you to running on any particular day. And I’m sure you’re not running badly! 😊

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to suebuzz]

See you at the parkrun soon. Don't worry about speed. You can walk, too.

Some people start parkrun by volunteering. Would you like that?

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

I want to run! 😃

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

That's a nice ambition. Most do the running.

They need both the runners and the helpers.

At our parkrun they say, 1 volunteering to 15 runnings and they will always have volunteers. That must vary by the attendance of the run.

[backintime Graduate]

Wonderful MG ! So close now...one to go. When will your graduation run be ? I'll make sure and look out for the post.

My youngest will do a junior parkrun in August : )

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to backintime]

My graduation run is on Friday! I can’t wait! We’re going to end up in the pub after our cool down, and have a celebratory drink (and stink everyone out! 🤣).

[backintime Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Cider and peanuts ?

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to backintime]

Without a doubt! 😁

[Serenity0365 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

parkrun fresh I think they call it👃🎉

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Serenity0365]

🤣🤣

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Serenity0365]

Bahahaha! 🤣🤣🤣

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Drink enough, so you don't smell the smell. 🤣

[CAFC62 Graduate]

Well done - nearly there 👍🏻

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to CAFC62]

Thank you! 😊

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Sounds like you did pretty well with it, meh or otherwise.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you, Stephen. 😊

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

Brilliant! It sounds like it is all coming together for you now! Well done on registering for Park Run.......I haven't had the guts to do it yet. Not so much because of the running but because the parking isn't great at the two near me and i I have an old Passat estate with no beep beeps to help me reverse. My husband says i don't need them because I have a tow bar which will tell me if i have gone too far. Men!!! 🤣🤣🤣

So lots of water drinking for you now before the final run!

Ps. You didn't tell us which Genesis track you ran to today!

[Hidden in reply to Lindsey-joy]

love the new avatar, I was thinking “wait a minute...I know those legs!”🤣

[Lindsey-joy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 And it will change with every new pair! Just waiting till pay day and I'm on the case!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

I am still on the album Wind and Wuthering. Love it! 😍

The parking is rubbish at mine, too, so have to work out where to park safely. 🤔

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

I say register.

Although, I recall how much courage I needed to register and go.

I was specially happy completing the first run.

I still am, of course.

[Hidden]

Last run, victory lap! You’ve done all the work. Just enjoy it, imagine all of us applauding you! Then get back here and get your graduation badge! Whoo-hoo!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’m so excited! Maybe we should have a recording of applause and cheering to download on here! 😂

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

That’s great MG well done - b graduating now - it’s just round the corner....maybe you can hear us all cheering you on?! 🤗 x It’s also fab about ur granddaughter bless 🤗 x

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Bluepup1]

Thank you! 😊 I really hope I can organise it. Xx

[Bluepup1 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

I’m sure you will 🤗 x

[primaballerina]

Great pace! I'm looking out for your graduation badge.... soooooon! Keep on going!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

Thank you! Eeeeek! 😃

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Isn't it great when you go out and and run is so enjoyable . Good luck with your graduation run 😊😊

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you! I hope to report good news! 😃

[Debston Graduate]

What a wonderful post - sounds like you had a great run despite not really feeling up for it beforehand! Really looking forward to hearing all about your graduation run - hope you have a lovely route planned and have remembered to order perfect weather conditions!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Debston]

Oh, if only I did have a lovely route! But we just run up and down a long back street in the village! 🤣 However, the weather is supposed to be fine on Friday, and it’s the start of the village beer festival, so it’s all systems go! 😃

[Debston Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

The village beer festival, you say? Hmm - might just have to come along and cheer you on...

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Debston]

🤣🤣🤣

[NewRunner4 Graduate]

Gosh, how exciting - next run graduation! Well done on tonight’s run and even managing a sprint finish and recruiting a new generation. There’s no stopping you now.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to NewRunner4]

Lol! I hope there’s no stopping me! 😁

[Oddity]

Well done you 😁

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oddity]

Thank you! 😊

[Yogaandrun Graduate]

Well done, nearly there!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Yogaandrun]

Thank you! 😊

[Chris141 Graduate]

Brilliant! You’ve got the bug! It’s very catching. Enjoy your Graduation Run. And you and your Granddaughter will love the Park Runs!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Chris141]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

Gosh! One run left! It sounds like this penultimate run was a really good one - you can relax into the graduation run now and let your legs take you to the finish. A lovely post MG. Have a wonderful graduation day! 😊

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! I’m beginning to feel really comfortable while running now. 😊

[Jen302 Graduate]

Your nearly at the finish! Well done for registering with park run.

I graduated a month ago and I'm still running 30 mins and not near 5k yet.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Jen302]

Phew! That’s good to hear! 😁

[Hidden]

Well done MG, your doing brilliantly. Long may it continue 😁👍✌

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, GMAN! 😊

[seaspaniel Graduate]

Although Parkrun is 5k I wouldn't worry too much about that. if you are w9r2 and doing 3.5k then I would suggest using the 5 min warm up and warm down as part of the run. This will get you around in about 38 mins which is fine. health warning - Parkrun may contain friends, coffee and cake and a sense of wellbeing.

I also run with my grandson on junior Parkruns. Indeed as I write I am in Cornwall on holiday plotting his next one as he is here for the weekend.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to seaspaniel]

That’s good to know, thank you! I’m really looking forward to going to my first one! 😃

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to seaspaniel]

Sorry but if MG (MuddledGardener) runs 3.47km in 30 mins, then, given an even split, her 5k time will be 43mins+.

Just so that doesn't expect 38 minutes...

[CharliesMum11 Graduate]

Hi MuddledGardener, I've just completed W9R2 too! I really enjoyed the run this morning before it got too warm. I'm running 3.9k in 30 minutes, so I've got a way to go. I have registered for Park Run too and can't wait to have a go! Hope your graduation run goes well, I'm one day behind you!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to CharliesMum11]

Well done, CharliesMum! I like the idea of a picnic breakfast to celebrate! And in the New Forest, too! Lucky you! Have a good run, and enjoy! 😀

[CharliesMum11 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Thank you, you too!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to CharliesMum11]

Well done, both the C25K as well as the parkrun registration.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

Thank you!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Another lovely post MG, thank you! Glad you’ve registered for Parkrun - I registered after I’d helped some friends who we’re volunteering. I thought I may as well as I was up and down there on a Saturday morning! I’ve now done 23 volunteering as well as one “walk-shuffle” participating but have met some lovely people and I really enjoy it! I’m sure you will too! My goal is to actually run it one day after I finish C25K, the consolidation runs and whatever comes after that! Good luck for 9/3!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thank you so much! I would have done it this Saturday, but my graduation run is tomorrow, so I can’t. The following Saturday I’m looking after my granddaughter, so it’ll have to wait until the week after that, unfortunately. Still, that’ll give me time to work on my pace. I know some people on here use Parkrun as one of their runs during the programme, so you could do that too. 😊

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

May well do it a little later in the programme.....

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Good for you! I know most people love them. 😊

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Parkruns do need volunteers, too. Great and thanks, even if it's that our local one.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

You (and we) will do great on the final run, and on the many parkruns.

You can check the route and steepness in advance.

[JoP61 Graduate]

Well done MG. You are near the finishing line and practically on the podium. And, as you say, this will be the start of a running career/life. I have found it a life changing thing to do at age 62. Currently on the IC with a fractured foot, but what the hey, I can always do C25K again as a comeback programme! Happy running. 👏👏👏🏃😀👍

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to JoP61]

Ouch! How did you do that? Not running, I hope! 😱

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

No - missed my footing coming downstairs and turned my foot right over! What an idiot! 😬😬

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to JoP61]

😖 ooh! Nasty!

[JoP61 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Yes it was. 😬😬

[2718281 Graduate]

So graduation is today??? Have a lovely run and a well deserved cider at the pub when you finish! I will be virtually cheering on you!!!

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to 2718281]

Thank you! I’ll toast you all! 😁