Determined to get out early today so just after 6.30 I set off - took Jo with me this time and it was raining but not cold - just right to go for a🏃🏼♀️. Off I went on my usual route - Jo was there in my ear which was very reassuring, only a couple of dog walkers looking very dejected to be out in the rain - I just smiled at them - settled into a steady pace. Jo telling my 5mins, 10 mins, then half way already - wow legs felt good - I’m enjoying this. Kept on going to just over 4K in 30 mins - still raining but I felt as Jo said ‘ on top of the world ‘.
Guess what a real runner, who had raced passed me on my cool down walk home, was stretching out and gave me a smile and a hello as I was walking by, made my morning🤸🏻♂️ - huge smile on my face 🏃🏼♀️😊✅.
Happy running to everyone out there today 🏃🏼♀️🏃♂️🐌👍
Written by
Dreambird
Graduate
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Fantastic start to your day! So pleased it's given you such a lift.
One little question, what makes a real runner?
I would argue that having ran 3 times a week for this 10th week now, getting yourself out at 6:30, enjoying your run... sounds like a real runner to me!
It’s really funny you say that, because even after almost 10 months of consolidation runs, which are now routinely 5k three times a week, I still don’t consider myself a “real runner”! Not sure I will ever get to the point of considering myself as a real runner ! 😂
Um that’s a good question - what makes a real runner ? I guess I feel - in my head - that I’m not up there with the high echelons of runners who seem to run effortlessly and smoothly along their route. I seem to jog slowly but non the less fairly happily at my pace - maybe cos I’m a bit older than others I see out running 🏃🏼♀️🏃♂️and I’m new to this - guess it’s all in my head wouldn’t you say ? 🏃🏼♀️🏃♂️🐌
Your perception is true for you and that's great. I asked the questions because I wanted to see whether you would respond negatively about yourself (i.e. I'm not a real runner because I'm slow, I don't compete in races etc.), or whether you would respond positively about others (i.e. they run effortlessly, they have run a marathon etc.).
My advice is to be mindful of your inner self-talk. Are you excluding yourself from that category because you're NOT something (this will make you feel worse about yourself and your running), or are you happy with not being a 'real runner' but still talk positively of your running ability and successes (this will make you feel better about yourself and your running)?
I look forward to hearing what Ant50 thinks too, to see if he agrees with you, Dreambird
Hi Adam - interesting thoughts. I’m by nature fairly easy going but always consider that I’m not good enough or interesting enough for people to include me. It’s true about that inner self talk - always being on the negative side.
But with running - I never enjoyed running from school onwards - I have been really positive and very focussed on achieving this ability to run for a length of time and probably 5k is my goal at the moment. So yes I’m happy with my level and not bothered to be a ‘real’ runner. That’s for others to achieve not me - at least not at the moment. Who knows whether my mind set will change in the future. I really appreciate your perceptive comments - made me think about me for a change!
Enjoy your running - I will continue to hopefully 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️👍
Wishing you all the success to achieve your 5k goal, Sue!
And here’s to being more grateful and encouraging to yourself, as someone who is enjoying their running and is definitely both good enough and interesting enough to be a part of any group of people 🙌🏼
Yes, interesting question. I am really, really happy with the fact that I can run and that I routinely complete 5 k in less than 31 mins, so I know that my running isn't that bad. I guess why I don't consider myself a 'real' runner is probably because I am relatively new to this running game. In my minds eye real runners are those that have been doing it for years, unlike myself who hasn't run in +30 years since high school. Furthermore I live in a very small village which has some really good runners in it, the sort who always seem to be training for their next marathon or the sort who think nothing of completing 24hr endurance runs. So when I put my 30min 5k against these it sort of puts it into perspective. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with where I am as C25K has been a great experience and I am still amazed I can run at all never mind having made it to 7.5km as my current max distance. Maybe with a bit more time I will start to consider myself to being a bit closer to being a real runner !
Yes I think it’s being new to running and yes I’m a bit in awe of all those distances and stats. I’m with you on enjoying the fact I can do this - that 5 k will happen in time but it’s fine I can wait and get there in my time. I’ve not been a runner - ever - certainly not in high school as my PE teacher would tell me often 😢. So maybe we’ll get to be ‘real’ runners at some point but until then let’s just enjoy the fact that we can run and it’s a great feeling 🏃♂️🏃🏼♀️👍
Completely agree with you, enjoying running is what matters. Keep up with consolidation and distance and speed will both improve over time, certainly did for me, without really focusing on either. 👍
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Consolidation 2 and 3
Ooo, yeah! Week 7 run 1 smashed!
Week 9 Run 2 - within touching distance of the podium
Week 2 Run 2
Week 8 Run 2 - Lovely day - Great Run 
