W9R3: Glow-run for graduation ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผโ˜„๏ธ... - Couch to 5K

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W9R3: Glow-run for graduation ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผโ˜„๏ธโ˜„๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฅ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduate
โ€ข42 Replies

I was convinced Iโ€™d not sleep, but miraculously did... and a deep-plush one at that, only ended at sunrise by a cat that found the perfect spot to compress my bladder. ๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿ˜ผ Yesterday, Iโ€™d been thinking about my hydration, so you can imagine.

But M was like a grumpy bear emerging from hibernation, complaining of unpleasant stomach feelings. He suggested delaying a day (oh, no! Iโ€™ve made a public commitment about today! Accountability crisis! and Buddhagal snuck in her graduation run a day earlier than expected! Friendly-competitive crisis! Potential crisis for Buddagalโ€™s non-stop 48-hour+ party ๐Ÿ˜ง What to do?). I suggested he delayed a day and I go ahead (we are perfectly capable of solitary runs). M decided he should have a coffee to see if he perked up. I agreed to wait and took the opportunity to extend my warm-up and experiment properly with a foam roller ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿคช๐Ÿ˜–๐Ÿ˜ฑ. Suitably perked up and reassured that he could always change his mind (M) and perfectly primed (me), off we went. It was not long after 9.00. I took a leap of faith and chose - wait for it - the most happiest smiley on the app. Indeed, I did! I donโ€™t do things like that. Iโ€™m still reeling from the sheer audacity.

As we reached the park and the end of the walking section, M got in quick and declared โ€˜anti-clockwiseโ€™. Iโ€™d been out-manoeuvred there. Heโ€™s usually so busy espousing on the news of the day, that I get to take that decision. In my vision for my graduation run, I had imagined clockwise (the less common choice) to mark the special occasion - but if this would help M, then so be it. I relented with a (gracious and generous) smile on my face. (Weird world when so much hangs on such a tiny decision, though.)

From forecasts, Iโ€™d also imagined rain. Instead, it was dry. These were the coldest conditions in which weโ€™ve run and I did secretly worry that Mโ€™s asthma might suffer. (It didnโ€™t.)

The park was just so beautiful today. It was cloudy, not blankly clouded, but with interesting formations - mostly horizontal, flat forms, with some patches of mackerel - and a drop-dead gorgeous milky sun holding its own. The air was sharp and the mood almost crepuscular, with a glow emanating beneath the cloud cover. Where it hit certain objects, they answered back: the cladding on a new-build glowed; the roof of a passing train created curved swords of blinding brilliance as it disappeared into the distance. I was mesmerised by one guyโ€™s blush-coloured hoody, which also responded well. More plastic bags and deflated balloons stuck in the tree tops were highlighted and sparkled.

Today seemed quiet (for a London park). I was especially conscious of sound: of more birds (blackbird, magpies, crows, tits); the languages being spoken by other park users; a refuse lorry reversing; the burring of the railway; but also, it seemed to me, of more air traffic than of late.

๐Ÿ•๐Ÿฆฎ๐Ÿฉ๐Ÿ•โ€๐Ÿฆบ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿถ I thought a bit about the dogs. Today, the majority were short-legged for some bizarre reason. They can make me laugh with their antics. One - long-legged and long-haired, greyhound-like, ginger coat, floppy ears - was acrobatically chasing the crows. Boy, could that beast bound, leap high arabesques and twist mid-air. Like a floppy ballerina. The canny crows seemed to be teasing, always just out of reach.

I barely thought about the physicality of running. Occasionally, I checked in with M to ensure all was well (it was); I channeled Laura now and then. I gave a bit of attention to my body: how am I striding; how am I landing; am I lifting out of my hips; is my head up; are my shoulders relaxed; and (a good yoga favourite) is my tongue at ease. (You have no idea about relaxing muscles until you do the tongue!) But Iโ€™d say these moments were swift and positive. It was just a fantastic run. ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸŒชโ˜„๏ธ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’ซโœจ

I confess, I donโ€™t get the mindset that spray-paints a tree - and does so with the words โ€˜Love Lifeโ€™ and โ€˜Be Happyโ€™. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ But I can see thereโ€™s something joyful about this odd urban gesture, so itโ€™s my first photo.

๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’•To all of you: Thanks a million for all your incredible support and advice; for the humour, jokes and piss-taking; for the tales of your runs and honest sharing of feelings; for the words and the photos; for indulging my posts; and for the lived fantasy that even us minnows of the running world can find a ๐ŸฆŒinside our ๐ŸŒ ๐Ÿข๐Ÿฆฅ!!! ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’•

โœŠ๐Ÿ’ช๐ŸผTo the new starters: You can do it! I did it. M did it. We never imagined we could. Weโ€™re in our 60s. We have our gips, arthritic joints, and the pains of aging. Given how we felt in the early weeks, we are aghast that we are now able to run for 30 minutes. It was all just the result of curiosity one day in early September that got us started. And we could never have imagined the impact on us, both physically and mentally. Remember: Itโ€™s not a race; itโ€™s a personal journey. Niko-niko. Slowly. (I try to take 2 days rest at least.) Itโ€™s not just exercise; it can feel life-transforming. โœŠ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

๐Ÿฝ PS M has just ordered a proper celebration dinner for tonight, simultaneously helping a lovely local restaurant to stay afloat during lockdown. He knows this is special! ๐Ÿฝ

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GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunning
Graduate
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Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate

Many congratulations, fellow runner, on your graduation!! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŽ“

Great post from you! Love to read your observations. You and M should be super proud and Iโ€™m glad to hear that you are celebrating in style. Itโ€™s a fantastic achievement ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toJools2020

Thank you, Jools2020. And for all your encouragement.

Peter44 profile image
Peter44Graduateโ€ข in reply toJools2020

Well done, both of you, and as always, a brilliant post, i even forgot you were actualy running at one point, makes a nice change from lots of stats, etc, about the run, of which i'm sometimes guilty! ๐Ÿคฃ enjoy your special meal later, and i guess the journey, carries on!!! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿบ๐Ÿบ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿฅ‚

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toPeter44

It does, indeed. Weโ€™re already planning the next run.

Iโ€™m becoming increasingly stat-curious, I admit, but decided to put off trialling runkeeper until post-graduation. (Bit unusual, I realise.) So the first CR will be the marker.

Thanks, as ever, for your kind words. I can hear your shouts of support and encouragement all the way from the HP studios!!

LauraRuns profile image
LauraRunsGraduate

Congratulations to you both for graduating!! Such a wonderful achievement ๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธโœจ I hope you enjoy your celebratory meal ๐Ÿ˜‹

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toLauraRuns

Thanks for everything, LR!

Weโ€™re now joining you on โ€˜the other sideโ€™.

๐ŸŒ•๐ŸŒ–๐ŸŒ—๐ŸŒ˜๐ŸŒ‘๐ŸŒ’๐ŸŒ“๐ŸŒ”๐ŸŒ•

Raisemeup profile image
RaisemeupGraduate

Big congratulations fellow graduate, it'salways extra pleasing to hear other 60 somethings are running from the sofa to a new lease of life. I'm with you all the way! ๐Ÿ† x

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toRaisemeup

Thank you so much. Itโ€™s unbelievable, really. A couple of months ago, M was fully morphed with the ๐Ÿ›‹ On our cool-down walk today, he asked โ€˜whenโ€™s the next run?โ€™!!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toIannodaTruffe

+ Keep loving life!

Thank you too.

Imoca profile image
Imoca

Huge congratulations to you both. Sounds like a beautiful day for it as well. It's truly unbelievable when you look back at the early weeks and then, as if by magic, you're comfortably running for 30 mins.

Have a lovely meal X

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toImoca

Thanks, Imoca. It is like magic ๐Ÿงšโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿงœโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿงšโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿงžโ€โ™€๏ธ(Iโ€™ve been waiting for an opportunity to use these!)

Buddhagal profile image
BuddhagalGraduate

Wahey....whoop whoop and more whoops....YES YES YES... fantastic congratulations...what an awesome achievement hey๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘. No doubt in my mind that you'd become a GRADUATE today๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿคธ. What a post....lurvin, lurvin lurvin it ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜. You are one extraordinaire story teller. And I just love your inner running dialogue...yes that's me too๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜‚, ...it's pretty good psychological positivity. Well.....I'm glad I spurred you on๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ....just didn't want you to miss the party.....it's still going. It's my anniversary today , 4 years with my online "find" โค๏ธ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ. He was my running partner but flew past me weeks ago โœˆ๏ธโœˆ๏ธโœˆ๏ธโœˆ๏ธ....5k in 29 mins now! I've no intention of attempting to compete with him....i like floating along ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ....no choice! Well .... absolutely fabulous news....on your victory....You're a winner....Really thrilled for you. Enjoy your celebration dinner & me n his nibs (another Hussein Bolt in the making. ..tsk tsk tsk) will be enjoying ours alongside you in Malvern. From one ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿข.. ๐ŸฆŒ............All the very best๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿ‘ฏโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿท๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿป๐Ÿบ๐Ÿฅƒ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toBuddhagal

Hey there, BG!!! My (same-stage) virtual running partner IS HERE!! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ PARTY!!!๐ŸŽˆ๐ŸŽŠ ๐Ÿพ

Done it! We so did it! We survived the doubts and glitches, found our own crazy jag, and crossed the (not the) finishing line!๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’• Yeah! Whop! Whoop! ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿป๐Ÿคธโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿคธ๐Ÿคธโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿป๐ŸŒชโ˜„๏ธ

Put on the music!! Hit the dance floor! (= โ€˜cross-trainingโ€™)

๐ŸŽถYa-hoo!๐ŸŽถ

๐ŸŽถCe-le-brate good times, come on!๐ŸŽถ

[...]

๐ŸŽถA celebration to last throughout the years๐ŸŽถ

[...]

๐ŸŽถYa-hoo!๐ŸŽถ

m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gwjf...

Buddhagal profile image
BuddhagalGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

So lurvin this....Kool and the Gang ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต.....onwards & onwards ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿ™‹

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toBuddhagal

๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽผ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽผ

So, Buddhagal, whenโ€™s CR1 scheduled?

Buddhagal profile image
BuddhagalGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

Good morning GailX๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽต๐ŸŽถ. Hope you enjoyed your celebrations last night. Well...I had a busy absolutely non exercise day yesterday...not even yoga! I guess it's allowed๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ....Having woken up with a slightly dehydrated celebratory anniversary/Graduation Prosecco๐Ÿพ head...my first intention is to rapidly increase my fluid intake...๐Ÿšฐ๐Ÿšฐ๐Ÿšฐ๐Ÿšฐ๐Ÿšฐ Water only!!!CR1 is scheduled for tomorrow.... By which time I will be rehydrated, re Yoga'd, and re-hip exercised...and ready for the next stage of my running infancy journey......consolidating all the hard work and effort of the last few months. Have a wonderful day.....When's your CR1? ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿข๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toBuddhagal

Haha! Good afternoon!!!

Sounds like you had a couple of blow out evenings! Fully deserved.

Not wanting to get yogic-competitive (naturally... it would so un-yogic) but Iโ€™ve just been to my zoom iyengar. And I have gone totally mad and also signed up for the class (soon to start) on pranayama and meditation. Iโ€™ll be floating by 17.00.

CR1 scheduled for Monday. Have a good session tomorrow- and looking forward to hearing how it went.

Buddhagal profile image
BuddhagalGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

Well...you go girl....you'll have transcended everything by Mondays run, Madame Yogi GailX. Sounds fabulous. That sounds great doing classes with other people, I just do yoga following YouTube by myself. Well...I'm fully hydrated now and my limbs have been exercised and are ready for tomorrow's CR1. Hope I have another good run tomorrow, no reason why I shouldn't, keeping that positivity high on my list๐Ÿ‘. Happy floating....๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿข๐ŸŒ

StoneDragon profile image
StoneDragonGraduate

Fantastic write up Gail ๐Ÿ‘ and congratulations to both you and M for graduating ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ™Œ๐ŸŽ“Enjoy your well earned meal this evening and keep posting ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toStoneDragon

Thanks, SD... and for insisting that I was finding my inner gazelle! Big moment that!

Like kids, weโ€™ve been emulating those of you in the class above, picking up your secret lingo... ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate

Aaaw...brilliant run Gail, congrats to you and M...you โญ๏ธRunners๐ŸŒŸ you ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„

Enjoy your celebration meal ๐Ÿฅ‚

Looking forward to reading your consolidation runs ๐Ÿ˜Š

Over 60โ€™s for the win ๐Ÿ‘Š Niko Niko all the way!

Go us! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿข๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’จ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toLottieMW

Thank you, Lottie!

Too right! Power to the seniors!!๐Ÿ‘ŠโœŠ๐Ÿคœ๐Ÿค›๐Ÿ’ช๐ŸผGo, go, go!!! ๐Ÿ’จ๐Ÿ’จ๐Ÿ’จ

(And power to everyone else too, of course!!)

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸŒ๐Ÿข๐Ÿฆฅ

Bambi2020 profile image
Bambi2020Graduate

Wahoo- sheโ€™s only gone and done it!!!! ๐Ÿ˜Big, big, big congratulations- youโ€™ve done amazing!!!! Another gazelle past the post ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ Youโ€™ve kept us going with your positive posts and comments over the weeks- you fully deserve your graduation moment- enjoy!!! ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ† C xxx

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toBambi2020

Thank you for all your support. +Iโ€™m definitely enjoying the moment (doing so right now.. special meal... totally podged!)

Runforurlife profile image
RunforurlifeGraduate

Woohoo! Congrats on your grad run and well done, you did it ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’ฅ๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿธ๐Ÿ…And sounds like you totally gazelle-d it too!!! Itโ€™s a great feeling isnโ€™t it? All that hard work paid off and you got there. Officially now a runner ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ Hope you have enjoyed an evening of celebration and I look forward to seeing your consolidation run journey now youโ€™re in the CR club!!

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toRunforurlife

Thanks a million! - Were still woohoo-ing. Yes: Fantastic feeling! We had a really lovely evening, but a body shock to indulge in rich food.

Thinking about CR club. Immediate period seems clear in terms of aims (consolidate) but need to look beyond too. Woohoo!

PaulS83 profile image
PaulS83

Congratulations! Mortar boards up in the air! Lovely written post to read over breakfast

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toPaulS83

Thank you, Paul. Up in the air and still spinning.

(+Thatโ€™s very kind of you.)

MoliJ profile image
MoliJGraduate

Fantastic effort Gail, it feels especially good as we get older doesnโ€™t it? Enjoy your celebration dinner you thoroughly deserve it. Welcome to the graduate club. 10k next ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toMoliJ

Thank you, MoliJ. Youโ€™re right, age gives the whole achievement additional โšก๏ธ โšก๏ธ

I initially thought that weโ€™re the oldest runners in the park, but over time Iโ€™m spotting others of similar years. Once we stopped imagining the cool young ones were laughing at our niko niko pace and vintage Ron Hills, we relaxed. (They werenโ€™t, of course. If they thought anything, it was likely the opposite.)

(I think weโ€™ll be focusing on 5k first. The truth of our actual distance currently will be discovered on the first CR on Monday- if I manage to use the technology- where Iโ€™ll trial Runkeeper. Weโ€™re totally stat-naive right now. I very much doubt weโ€™re even close to 3.5k!!)

MoliJ profile image
MoliJGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

It doesnโ€™t matter how far you run the fact is at 60 you are running and that feels amazing. I too run in ronhills ๐Ÿ˜‚ Birds of a feather ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toMoliJ

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜‚ Love my last surviving RHs; elastic is all degenerated, but they still hold up by the draw-string.

LittleMissie profile image
LittleMissie

Well done, you did it. Congratulations to you and M and hope you enjoyed your well deserved celebratory meal. Keep on running, keep on posting ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toLittleMissie

I did, we did! Still reeling at the thought. And my thanks for your incredible inspiration and support, LM. Letโ€™s all keep on keepinโ€™ on! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฟโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿป๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ๐ŸฆŒ

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduate

What a super read, so descriptive I felt I was only a couple of strides behind you ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ Congratulations ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰ and yes it is quite transformational ๐Ÿ™

The Sixty Somethings are in the ascendency ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿข๐Ÿ™

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toRacingintheStreet

Aw, thatโ€™s so nice of you.โ˜บ๏ธ๐Ÿ™Thank you, RitS!

And isnโ€™t that 60s thing a real thing? Whoโ€™d ever have thought that, at this age, we could be achieving new things with running. Running! I mean, I was all one for trying new things and keeping the mind fresh, but that I can do this with something as physically demanding as running is just amazing. And then to find how much it impacts on both the body and the mind... Blows me away (along)!! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduateโ€ข in reply toGailXrunning

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ I know ! Of all things ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

I cannot imagine our mothers getting into running at 60+

It sometimes crosses my mind that we tell our children that to get better they have to โ€˜just practiseโ€™ . As adults we forget that ๐Ÿ˜‚

In terms of running and all exercise these days, my mantra is โ€˜find something you enjoy ( half the battle) and practise , then get better at it.

Donโ€™t care if itโ€™s slowly, only that in small moments it crosses my mind that...... โ€˜ that was better ! โ€˜ ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ

I feel Iโ€™m old enough now not to worry about giving things up that โ€˜arenโ€™t really meโ€™ or I donโ€™t enjoy and not feeling guilty , or feeling anything about it at all really ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

I only started C25K because I found an exercise channel in lockdown that I liked and in between exercises I was required to do 30 secs of walking or jogging ( around the kitchen table as it happens ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ)

so I then thought well, ๐Ÿค” maybe ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ

I doubt I would have tried it otherwise, too busy saying โ€˜no I donโ€™t like running , canโ€™t run to save myselfโ€™ ๐Ÿ˜„

Who knew indeed ! Thereโ€™s a lesson there ๐Ÿ˜Œ๐Ÿ™

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toRacingintheStreet

Haha! So similar! I skipped the kitchen table stage though!๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜‚

I think the idea had first crossed my mind eighteen months ago, as I chatted to a younger colleague whoโ€™d done c25k. But I got waylaid by the technical side, yโ€™know: apps, smartphones, earphones... the need for special pockets/ belts... it all got a bit much (bit of a senior moment that!) Then a health check underscored how little cardio I was actually doing, so I discovered Active 10 on nhs website. I managed to download it (I did!) went out to experiment, and by the end of the same afternoon had also figured out and tested c25k app and done w1r1. That was my โ€˜Maybeโ€™ ๐Ÿค”moment.

I started off by tucking my phone into the top of my knickers, and then, realising this wasnโ€™t going to work (and that I looked like I was about to have an attack of appendicitis) dug out of deep storage an old travel money belt and my ancient RHs. (Still using both!)

I progressed to my first experience with a discussion forum, something Iโ€™d long sneered at from afar (like running, โ€˜not for meโ€™). I gather from what others say that c25k is better than most other discussion boards, but Iโ€™ve still had to rethink โ€˜myselfโ€™ quite a bit!!! I can run, I enjoy it; I can use social media, and enjoy it. So weโ€™re having a bit of a โ€˜who am I?โ€™ moment too. ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ Great fun!

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduate

Excellent ! ๐Ÿ˜‚ I think itโ€™s really important to keep challenging ourselves a bit, although the technology exasperates me at times ๐Ÿฅด๐Ÿ™„

The phone/knickers thing resonates, I have a little pocket in my leggings at the side of my knee but the weight of the phone kept pulling the leggings down so I was doing a lopsided run trying to hoist them up .

Tried the knicker storage , didnโ€™t work either and soooo not a good look trying to retrieve ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ“ฑ

There are still days when the tech/glitches stuff is harder than the run ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

Enjoy your CRโ€™s ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ‘

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduateโ€ข in reply toRacingintheStreet

... sooo not a good look... definitely to be avoided in public situations ๐Ÿ“ต๐Ÿ“ฒ๐Ÿฉฒ๐Ÿ“ต๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ

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