Runniversary Week ... 😊🐢

[Granspeed]

Made it! A whole year of trundling along since I finished C25k in February 2019. Doesn’t seem possible, considering I kept the whole project secret for 4 weeks, in case it fizzled out along the way. 🤣 But it didn’t. And after years of watching the rest of the family run around, I’ve finally joined the pack - well, sort of. I jog along either on my own or way at the back, enjoying the scenery, listening to the birds, and generally behaving like an errant spaniel pup in a group of well-tuned greyhounds. But I’m still out there!

I’ve had to learn to take seriously the “Run your own run” mantra. I will never be speedy, it turns out, and I must just accept that some folks complain about a slow run at speeds I would be delighted to achieve! 😳 Oh well. It also turns out I have bags of stamina if I stick to my own pace. So I got to 10k in November. TEN whole kilometres. Without stopping. And not particularly tired. 🎉👍

I had to settle back in December - busy time, and slow runners have to find more time per run. But I’m back up to 9k now, and moving forward, and the days are getting lighter, if not drier. 💦🏃🏼‍♀️💦 I’m lucky to live in a lovely area, and it’s a total pleasure to just get out there and go.

So, New Runners, if any of you have got this far: keep at it! Find your own way through, without too many preconceptions about where you may end up with this running lark. C25k is a huge achievement in itself, but beyond it is a whole new world. Why, I’ve discovered I have a passion for zingy running socks. Who knew? A year ago I had only just learned there was such a thing as special running socks. With left & right feet, no less. 😳🤔 As I said, a whole new world.

And never mind what people say about Addiction. You can learn to live with it. 😊 And the head space, as well as the physical well-being, is worth many a damp and chilly exit from your front door. Most days are lovely once you’re going.

So thanks, as ever, to the great community of supportive runners here on Health Unlocked, and to all the brilliant Admins & Mentors who have kept me and all of us going, and who keep this the most delightful space on the web. 👏🏼👍🎉 I never would have made it this far without you VRBs.

Oh yes - and let me not hear any words about “too old” from any new runners on C25k. Not unless your birthday is before 1941 - and really, not even then! 😄 Happy Running, everyone. 🐢🎉

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations Granspeed on your runniversary. It really is amazing how the time flies. Here's to the next year.

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks, Buddy34. Just shows how all those trundling days add up. 😄👍

[Astra5 Graduate]

Congratulations Granspeed, it is my Runniversary this week too. Unfortunately I have not run for a few weeks because of a foot injury so cannot get out there to celebrate. I e packs 3 times a day and hopefully can get out again soon 🥂

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Astra5]

Oh dear. These things are sent to try us. 🤔 Happy Runniversary and hope you are back out there soon! 😊

[Astra5 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thanks, fingers crossed 🏃

[dijep Graduate]

Lovely inspirational post for a 60 year old with sore knees at the end of week 2😀

I've always disliked the idea of running as I thought I'd miss seeing the wildflowers and birds but I suspect my speed is slower than walking 😂 But from here I've learn thats just fine.

Hope you get some new socks too celebrate your fantastic achievement x

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to dijep]

👍😄 Keep trundling along. Don’t push it, and usually the knees will sigh and give in to the inevitable strengthening! If you haven’t already done so, you could google Japanese Slow Running technique. There’s a good YouTube video. It’s a very low impact running style that has got many of us over various humps. 🐢

[dijep Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Yes thankfully I found a link to that technique and watched that after my first run and it made me feel so much better, it's just trying to keep to it while you're out there. Off to do some knee strengthening exercises now 😀

[CatMo13 Graduate]

Brilliant post ! Congratulations to you, what an amazing journey and you made it to 10km which is fab within just a year!

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to CatMo13]

Thanks. 🎉 Happy Running is the key! Whatever suits is right. 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Happy first Runniversary week Granspeed. 🎉🎊such a lovely post, long may you keep on running your own run.

😊xxx

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Aw, thanks. You have inspired me along the way, Bluebird!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Congratulations on your Runniversary Granspeed, you are a ⭐️ and it was so nice to meet you in the New Forest last year. I love the way you kept C25k secret. My red face at the end of each run would have given it away.

Hope to see you again in the drier weather

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks, Dexy5. You & UTS have inspired me along the way. See you in the sun & trees - eventually! 🌞🌳

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Definitely 👍

[Debston Graduate]

Happy runniversary, Granspeed! Hope you are celebrating with some lovely new running socks! 😂

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Debston]

No room in the drawer now, but if I keep running, maybe some old ones will wear out! 🤣🎉

[mom24uk Graduate]

Happy Runniversary! I love the inspirational post; as a newbie, it's lovely to hear everyone's stories. I hope I'll be posting a similar successful post next year 😍

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to mom24uk]

You will, you will! One foot in front of the other, whenever Life allows. It’s the same - in that sense - for us all. Keep chasing those little runners - very good cross training. 😄

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Congratulations It’s so lovely to read your posts which have inspired and motivated us for nearly a year now

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

VRBs are a great boost in the running life! Glad you are both back on track now.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

They really are and thanks it’s so great to have energy and deeply breathing lungs

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate]

Yes Granspeed! So pleased for you- happy anniversary! 🥳 You are an inspiration 🏃‍♀️

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thanks. 😊 I remember a post you did about positive mind set and remembering why you run. Just what I needed at the time, so thank you! Happy running. 👍

[Fionamags Graduate]

Brilliant! Totally agree - life doesnt stop at 60 - we're all 'still game'!!! Good to hear that you've kept on and got to 10k.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

😊 Age markers I used to think were “old” now just seem like signposts to trundle past!

[Hidden]

What a lovely inspirational post. Congratulations on your first runniversary Granspeed 🎉. Here's to many more to come......😊🏃‍♀️

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. 😊 Proves anyone who can put one foot in front of the other can do it. 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Yeah! Of course we shared podium week, mine was on 25feb. I remember the day!! I also had some set backs but today got back to 5km and will keep going as wow doesnt it make you feel good. I love it and love talking with you and all the others on the forum. This is what has made it for me. Well done you!!

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks, Virtual Twin (in graduation, don’t think about age 🤣). Such a different winter this year. Just proves running can help make a success of any sort of weather. 😄 This forum is indeed a lovely part of the overall experience. And it helps save me from being a full-on Running Bore in person. 🤣 Happy 5K to you. 👍⭐️

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Only partial running bore in real life, well except if someone mentions they run then that’s at least 2 hours gone 😂

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

🤣👍

[Mum22boys Graduate]

Congratulations Granspeed and a lovely post. Here's to the next 12 months 🏃‍♀️

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

Thanks. 😄👍

[Comfortnotspeed]

Hap Hap Happy Runniversary 💐🎂🥳 You are fab 💐🎂🥳

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Too kind. ☺️<blush> Happy Running!

[Sparkey5000 Graduate]

Awesome achievement 🎉🎉

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Sparkey5000]

Can’t see myself going beyond 10k, but fun to get that far. 😊👍

[Sparkey5000 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

I can’t really see myself getting beyond an hour, mainly because if the body allows I’m not sure I could find that amount of time regularly to indulge! But then I was happy to get to 30mins, then 5k so I’ve learnt with this running malarkey to just go with the flow

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations on your runniversary! 🎉👏🏻🏃🏼‍♀️ A lovely post and I echo all you say 😁

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Thanks. The VRBs keep me going! 😊

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Hear hear! 🙌🏻

[Nilsam Graduate]

Congratulations this is definitely to be celebrated. I think keeping the running up and advancing the distance is probably so much more important than the original 9 weeks. Well done.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Nilsam]

Tell Enid, come the day.... 😊

[Nilsam Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Indeed 👍🤝

[lizzie09]

Love this . Good advice 👏

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to lizzie09]

It’s really a matter of finding your own way among so many options. 😄Enjoy your runs 👍

[lizzie09 in reply to Granspeed]

🙏

[Yogamaz Graduate]

Congratulations on your Runniversary and what a lovely post. I am currently doing the C25K again as I had a really bad bout of flu at Christmas and it has taken me a long time to get over it!!! Hoping to get back to 5k soon so that I can maybe do another Parkrun at some point. Happy running.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Yogamaz]

Sorry to hear about the flu, and I’m sure this soggy, windy weather doesn’t help! Take care and stay well. Spring is bound to come sometime. At the moment I am pavements/gravel tracks only, as the last time I went along a field path it was such bad footing I had to walk and still felt unsteady. 😱 Take care.

[skysue16 Graduate]

Lovely post 😀 Many congratulations on your runniversary! Many more happy miles ahead of you 😊

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thank you. 😊 Bring on Spring for all of us. 🌞🌷🌸🥀