Week 9 Run 1 ☀️

[Jools2020]

I had planned to do this run yesterday, but when I woke up at 5 a.m. yesterday morning, it was pouring with rain so I decided to postpone it until this morning. I have run in the rain before and enjoyed it, but just didn’t want to do it for my first 30 minute run.

So up with the lark and quick cuppa. I had made a playlist of music I wanted to listen to. Everything was organised, so Michael on, music on 🎧 🎶 and I headed out to the riverbank where the sun was just peeping between the trees begging for a photo!

Off we went. Wasn’t too worried about a personal best with my pace, but really wanted to hit 3.5K this morning. As often happens, struggled for the first 5 minutes, then settled. Michael came in exactly when expected and all was going well. And continued to go well! Did not lose much time with the infernal gate! Turned at the halfway point with a strange hoppity skippety and I was on the way back! Tried to increase speed for a while, but was tiring a little. A glance at my watch showed that 3.5K was doable so kept plodding. 60 seconds left - can I do it!?! I step it out - it’s going to be close! The run is over but I run on a few more seconds for the 3.5K. Yessss! Did it! I am so pleased. Pace 8:39. Not bad for me! When I did my 20 minute run it was 10:50, so I am improving.

I feel like a real runner, now! I can run for 30 minutes! The program and my forum buddies have brought me to this point. Run by run! Feeling super proud. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Scout37 Graduate]

Wow...fantastic! You must be so chuffed.

You are my rôle model!!

I'm about to attempt the dreaded one...later than intended as woke up with a crazy flare of rhinosinusitis...sneezed at least 30 times so needed to let it settle. It's not fun when your nose runs faster than your legs.

But hey.. pleased it went well today. Your graduation looms...x

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Scout37]

Thanks! Hope the rhino thing eases. I’ll keep a look out for a post from you!

[Blossom- Graduate]

Hi jools, well done, look how far you've come! I've just read your first post - you were worried, I replied, I was scared! You'll soon be on that podium! I'm off to do my 15th consolidation run in a mo. Aren't we incredible! Happy running!😊

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Blossom-]

Haha, I know!! When I started, I really had doubts. They didn’t disappear until W5 R3, then I knew I could do it if I kept at it. This forum has helped me keep at it! We ARE incredible!

[Jools2020 Graduate]

So pleased at how far I’ve come! What a great program this is.

[sailR Graduate]

Congratulations!! Beautiful photo! I am doing this run today too!!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to sailR]

Thank you, good luck for your run! We might even graduate on the same day!

[sailR Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Just completed my run... it was tough at the end but I’m going a little further each time. This group has helped so much! Great to get so much encouragement!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to sailR]

Well done! We are amazing 👏👏👏

[packersruns Graduate]

Whehey!! Amazing, you’ve only got an hour running wise to go and you’ve DONE IT!! Bet it feels absolutely amazing. Everything just feels so worth it when you finally complete your first 30 minute run, makes all the first few weeks of suffering with exhaustion actually make sense because you won’t be like that again! Good pace too 😉

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to packersruns]

Thanks! Yes, It does feel amazing ☺️. I feel like a proper runner now! The workmen were arriving to do essential flood defence works as I finished my run. I realised I wasn’t the slightest bit concerned about my Lycra running shorts 😂. That’s a vast difference from when I first started!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Yes, it's strange isn't it .

I was also concerned at first

I'm a bit down today though as this would have been my graduation day 😐

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

It’s just a setback and outside your control. Your graduation is only postponed, not cancelled! You’ll get back into it when you are fit to run! And I’ll still be here to cheer you on, as will your other forum ‘buddies’! We’ll be rooting for you!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you !

That's good to know 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done Jools ,

I noticed you went for a walk yesterday instead 😁

Pleased to know you smashed it !

Only 1 hour to go ! 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Yes, it was tipping it down here in the fens first thing. By 9 a.m. the sun came out - but I like to run really early so decided to postpone. I’m glad I did, this morning was glorious. Can’t believe There are only 2 runs to go! Appreciate your support from the IC!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Yes, it's ok to run in the rain but !

I think if you don't need to then good 😁

And you will always have my support whether I'm running or on the IC 👍

[liam-1 Graduate]

Well done 👍🏻 congratulations jools.

Keep up the good work so chuffed for you

Lovely picture by the way, best time of the day in my opinion

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to liam-1]

Thank you, and yes, I agree!

[PlymBorn]

Wow Jools 😯 ... for both the view and improvement in pace in such a short time ... especially as you’re running 10 mins longer too ... ! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

I reckon the way you’re going you’ll be leaping that gate before too long !

Only 60 minutes of running to go until you graduate 🎓! Not long now !!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

Thank you; although leaping the gate might be a step too far 😂

[Needtoescapepo20 Graduate]

And so you should be super proud! Well done 😁 . And wow look at that speed - brilliant! Mine was a slow and steady pace today, as my right leg feels a bit niggly after a faster run on saturday, so I didn’t want to over do it. I need to remember I’m carrying a lot of weight so have to be kind to my joints!

.

2 more runs - we’ve got this ... 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Needtoescapepo20]

Thank you! I wasn’t worried about the pace, but I really, really wanted to get to 3.5K; obviously in trying to achieve that I had to increase the pace as well. Doh! 😂

Yes, take care of those niggles. I’m conscious of them for a different reason. I’m 66 and little niggles become big ones if they’re not taken seriously! I’ve lost a lot of weight recently through stress, but it’s stabilised now, so I’m keeping it at my ‘runnning’ weight 😀

[Lil5k Graduate]

Well done, you should be proud, you are a runner now. I loved your technical term "strange hoppity skippety" 😁......I think we runners all have one, keep it up, loved the post 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Lil5k]

Thanks 😂 I feel like a runner now I can run for 30 minutes!

[Jnubster Graduate]

Oh my wowsers!! That’s a fantastic achievement well done!! Great view too!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Jnubster]

Thank you! Got to love the fens. That man made riverbank goes on for miles. Good luck with Week 8! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jnubster Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you!

[MccHa Graduate]

Well done Jools, fantastic, good feeling too👏👏👏

Lovely picture by the way, best time of the day Even here onboard we have super sunrise 🌅 and sunset...No hills 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MccHa]

Thank you! Just 2 runs away from graduating - I’m so excited!

Ah yes, no hills at sea 😂.

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

Well done again. Got this run tomorrow. Will be up early and get in done in the cool.😂👍

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MontyMooDog]

Thank you! Good plan 👍

[wobbles_when_runs Graduate]

Great improvement on pace and distance, well done!

You’ll be leap frogging that gate in no time 🐸

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to wobbles_when_runs]

Thanks 😂😂😂

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate]

Very well done, Jools!

Lovely pic too 😃

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Fifitrixiebell73]

Thank you! I love the sunrises right now. The Washes are beautiful at that time of day.

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

The only time i see a sunrise is when I'm coming off nightshift! I do love a sunset as well though 🌞