who is this woman- 5.15km tday, smashed it👊🏃‍♀️

[notquiteretired]

As some of you know, I graduated x3 weeks ago and after initial euphoria, felt flat going it solo in big school. I was way short of 5km but was well pleased to be running at all never mind for 30 mins, after 58 years of little more than dog walking. I posted this on the forum and had some really good advice and support from my lovely VRBs

Today I got up not really wanting to run but it was my designated day so set off a bit sulkily with an attitude of well if I do 20 mins thats ok but if I do 30 thats better. My couldnt care attitude seemed to quieten the running gremlins and I was surprised to find I covered 5.15 km, me running over 5km, I could have cried, ok it took me 51 mins but I did it

Thanks to the support from everyone who took time to reply to me over last few month 😘

Anyone thinking of starting couch25k but doubting their ability please try it and we will be cheering you on🐢🏃‍♀️👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done indeed...and know you know you can run for a longer time too.!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

aww thanks Oldfloss and thank you for your support through the last few months , really appreciated

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

You are most welcome x

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Well done \o/

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

cheers Maddee- 6333 😊

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

WTG! That’s fab news! You’ve been doing really well 🥳 - we’re always our own worst critics! Maybe the ‘couldn't care less’ attitude helped settle you and take pressure off yourself, as you then became more relaxed?? 🤗 x

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Bluepup1]

thanks Bluepup1 defo think the attitude helped👍😊

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That’s fantastic, very well done. 😄

The psychological ups & downs of running get to us all.

PS - your name made me smile - I am retiring in 2 weeks!!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

cheers Elfe5, hope you have a long and happy retirement, you will fill the time and wonder how you managed to work 😂😊

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

Thank you- yes I think being busy is well ingrained.😂

[JuJogger Graduate]

Well done. What have you been doing with your runs last 3 weeks since graduation?

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to JuJogger]

thanks JuJogger, started with x3 30 mins but felt flat/stagnant, somone here suggest mixing up runs - long, shorter and an intervals so went a bit adhoc , ran to suit the temperature on the day sometimes, basically relaxed about it n just ran x3 per week

[emmat7]

That is absolutely brilliant well done on surprising yourself you could do it 5 k so soon after graduating -and interesting like me you settled the gremlins by just getting into a self talk of ok I ll just do 5 mins I think this is the trick with meI did a park run today snd it was a third choice course used when events happen in Cardiff so a couple of hills and grass lapped by the athletes as well so I wanted to pack it in when there was a stampede of athletes but I managed to get into a zone and enjoy the scenery plus I thought I’ll just get to that bend see how I feel am sure this is all a head game ! As I did complete ok not great speed at 49 mins but that’s better than no run at all so yeah just sharing that with you x

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to emmat7]

cheers emmat7, defo helped sorting gremlins out n relaxing about the whole run thing

[BestFootForward]

Well done you! I hope I manage to achieve all that you have, notquiteretired. Hearing everyone’s story and the messages posted by forum members about their journey really keeps me motivated - and determined.

[emmat7 in reply to BestFootForward]

Me too as feel kinder to myself knowing others feel similar experiences.

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to BestFootForward]

thanks BestFootForward, yes I agree with you, the support on here is so encouraging, good luck to you

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Fantastic! I think the best runs are often the ones where we just don’t care how far, how fast or how long. Well done!! 👏👏

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

thanks SeeJillRun, that attitude defo helped me on the day, hope you still enjoying your running😊

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

More and more the longer the runs get! 😂

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Who cares how long it took the point is you did it . Well done you 😊😊

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

thanks Buddy34, snails and tortouses rule 😂

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Fabulous 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Great job 💃💃💃

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

cheers Jogunlikely, it was a lovely feeling😊

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

That is absolutely fantastic! Well done! That’s just what I needed to hear, as I’ve been struggling since graduating. There’s hope for me, too! Thank you!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

I just thought sod it ( can i say that?) and did my own thing without feeling under pressure or a slave to time/distance or wotever and I enjoyed it 😊🐢

good luck with you consolidating👍

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

Yes you can! You should hear me, sometimes! 😱🤣

[Hidden]

How did I miss this comment!? Fantastic stuff! 5k! That's exactly how I motivate myself, every run is 20 minutes. That's what I tell myself to get out of the door, I know I'll be fine when I'm out there. Well done!

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Hidden]

aww cheers clubberlang, it was your posts that encouraged me to mix it up n it paid off big style🙌

you take care and save your energies for your big race🤞🏻👍😊

[Comfortnotspeed]

Blooming fab!! Go you. Loved reading this 💪👏👏👏👏

[notquiteretired Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

cheers Comfortnotspeed it felt blinking marvellous🙌😊🐢