YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RUNNER WHEN........... - Couch to 5K

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YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RUNNER WHEN...........

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate
59 Replies

For the first time you start your warm up walk from your front door instead of the privacy of your living room or garden.

You stop wearing leggings and a tee shirt which are the same colour as the concrete you run on.

You buy new leggings which are so bright they can be seen from space.

When Sarah/ Michael/Jo/Sanjeev/Laura tell you are.

You learn about gait analysis.

Your running drawer extends to drawers (plural) and then you need to find even more room in the spare room.

The clothes you now buy are for your comfort and their anti wicking/blister/chafing properties.

Your most expensive shoes don’t have heels and when they get wet or muddy, they get THE treatment.

Your skinny jeans no longer fit your calves or is it vice versa?

Its two years since I graduated C25k and I’m still a snail, but who cares? at aged 67 running is a privilege and a joy, sometimes I still can’t comprehend that I am a runner but I know I am for a fact, because today my first toenail fell off - I know how good is that? 😅 SO PROUD!

This running thingie can be a real struggle at times I think it was Mummycav who posted from the heart about her struggles loving and disliking running at the same time and she finished with a quote “Running is a favour your body does for your soul” ❤️

Don’t doubt yourself you can do this and happy running . 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

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lexi6 profile image
lexi6
Graduate
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59 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Good post from you lexi6, it's a proud moment for all runners doing C25K when the coach at the end of run 3 of week 6 tells you "that you are now officially a runner".

I have not spent too much money on running equipment, I have bought 2 pairs of running shoes which were the most expensive shoes that I have ever bought with 2 pairs of good socks to match, I have also bought a running baseball cap and have 2 running belts as well, it doesn't matter about speed when running, as long as you enjoy your runs that is the main thing.

The weather where I am this morning is +2C with thick fog but despite the fog, I will soon be getting ready to go to my Thursday morning walking group, that walk goes partly around the course that I ran my 8K PB yesterday, hopefully, the fog will clear soon to give a sunny but nice late Autumn day.

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toAlMorr

I still remember Laura telling me I was a runner, it felt so good. Hope your shoes and socks are still looking after you Alan and 🤞 the fog clears before your walk

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply tolexi6

I enjoyed my walk on Thursday morning with the group, the fog cleared to mist and low cloud, at least it didn't ☔ rain.

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toAlMorr

Glad the rain kept away Alan 😊

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hee hee😄A lovely post Lexi (apart from the toenail bit😯)

After a long spell on the injury couch I am definately feeling the buzz of that runday feeling, and Laura has confirmed that I am indeed a Runner again!🏃‍♀️

I'm asking father Christmas for some new Ronhill leggings and shirt, which are a bit more snazzy than my regular black ones😏 but I'm not brave enough for those lovely bright coloured ones...yet (I'm only 60 though so there is time 😉🤣)

Happy 2nd Runniversary to you, and many more Runniversarys to come!🎉

Hope your toe is not too sore.😘xxx

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Ooh ee! Ron Hill came from not far from where I was born and think UTS came from Accrington too. Saw a documentary on R H, inspiring man and fab gear. Lucky you Jan, we can’t get them here in NZ and you still have plenty of time to embrace your inner peacock 🦚xxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Jazzy leggings are the way to go BBR, but I am a few years older so you have time. I’ve got 3 jazzy pairs of leggings and capris from Ronhill and they are better for me at a mere 5’ 4” than most brands. I do like plain black with race shirts though. I’m glad your recovery is going well.

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

There's a good deal in the sale on Wiggle.co.uk for ronhill leggings. I went to pay full price at John Lewis, but they were out of stock. Found the same pair on Wiggle 40% off. 👍

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply toSpeedy60

Thank you Speedy60, I think Mr Bbr used SportShoes.com after a recommendation from TailChaser They are great quality and last for ever!

😊xxx

I love this Lexi 😍 I wonder what I did with all the time I now use thinking about running, reading about running, planning the next runs, talking to my VRB’s, taking on challenges, fretting about not running 😆...and that’s all before Parkrun and real races get going again! 🤗

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

Ha ha, don’t get me started! Its just fantastic isn’t it? I forgot to mention my running books library 😂😂 x

in reply tolexi6

Oh yes, those too, and setting up playlists to download to the phone and organising podcasts and radio programme catch ups for those long runs 😀🤗

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

😂😂 My first running magazine subscription, subscribing to the running channel, womens running podcasts and lets not forget Spotify ❤️x

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

Forgot to mention the bling too, need some proper hooks for the medals now

in reply tolexi6

Oh yes extra hooks for the cloakroom too, hat, snoods, glasses, running belt, polar heart monitor and watch 🤣

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

😂😂 Aaw! Can’t get my head round V02max though when it goes up my heart swells with pride, when it goes down I think what a load of b———s 😊

in reply tolexi6

Definitely the right attitude for VO2max ...according to my watch my fitness age is 20, ( I’m 62!) no wonder I can’t do any if the training plans it gives me 🤣🤣🤣🤗

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

😂😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

I do love this Lexi6, and I know you’re a runner because I have photographic evidence of you running in Wilmslow where it was a privilege to meet you and BaddieThePirate .

Who would have thought when starting C25k that we would also build friendships with people around the world?

Keep running, keep safe

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toDexy5

🥰 that was such a thrill for me Dexy and I hang on to the hope that we might be able to do it again one day. I might even be able to keep up with you, next time, well within a couple of minutes or so anyway 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply tolexi6

Yes that parkrun was quite tough with those uphill sections.

Awesome post and so spot on lexi6 🥳

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

Aaw! Thanks Imc I didn’t even mention chocolate or jelly babies either Have discovered that our local supermarket now stocks jelly babies, actually not just jelly babies but Giant Jelly Babies! ❤️ from the Czech Republic best to nibble while running and not swallow. 😅

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate

Guilty as charged, although I haven’t gone all out on the jazzy leggings unlike your Cookie Monster ones, which still make me smile 😄

Happy runniversary x

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toSandie1961

I never have trouble finding my leggings in the drawer any more and Cookie Monster lives with my Elmo leggings

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate

You know you’re a runner when you meet another at a dinner party (remember those?), then notice that you’ve sent everyone else asleep. 😴😴😴

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply toHeavyFoot

🤣🤣 not just me then

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toHeavyFoot

😂😂 and they try to steer the conversation away Ha ha, no chance!

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate in reply tolexi6

You’re right. The fools talk about global warming, Covid, devolution and Brexit. Have they no notion of PBs, VO2 Max, static and dynamic stretching? 😂😂😂

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toHeavyFoot

😂😂😂

Kish247 profile image
Kish247Graduate

When you watch other runners

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toKish247

I know 😂 and checking out their shoes, wondering where you can get a top like theirs and so on its like being part of a special club 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate in reply toKish247

Oh yes. When I’m walking with my wife I see passing runners and pass bollocksy comments on their poor posture, flapping feet, unhappy faces. Yet they’re still running twice as fast as I can. 🥵🥵

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Oh lexi6 ...honestly, I’m sat here just having a lurk, eating my Thai chicken soup when I came across your post and I literally laughed out loud...proud at the loss of your toenail!!!! Ohh my, that has proper tickled me!! You certainly are a runner...and yes, my posts usually are from the heart and I don’t sugar coat anything because what’s the point?? If we made running sound like it’s all hearts and flowers then there would be many, many disheartened runners out there who feel like they’re struggling alone...

All the things you listed are definitely habits that cement the fact that our lives have changed, once we’re told by our chosen trainer that we’re a runner, well, it just gets in your blood!!!!

I feel more comfortable and actually like a different person when I’m in my running gear...

Lovely post Lexi...hope you’ve got that toe wrapped up and it’s not too sore? You’re not keeping it are you?? You could frame it?? 🤣🤣🤢 xxx

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toMummycav

😂😂 Now why didn’t I think of that? framing it, there’s a thought. I did sit and admire it for what some might say was an uncomfortably long time before I binned it 😥 It was perfectly formed too unlike my others. I’ll miss it RIP

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply tolexi6

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply tolexi6

I’m off to see if my toenails are wobbly so I can be a proper runner 🤣🤣👏🏻😉❤️

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toMummycav

😂😂 got me fingers crossed that you can join this special club 🤞

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply tolexi6

Sadly...I have nothing to be proud of yet...🤣

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toMummycav

😢

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate

I’m SO proud of you for missing a toenail 😀👍

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toBaddieThePirate

😂😂 People whisper “she’s a weird one” Edit: about me being weird not you 😊

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

Love this post. I would add, you know you're a runner when a bad day can turn into a good day when you run; you bore the pants off anyone who will listen; you love trainers when you always hated them; you talk to ducks and squirrels to check you can still talk out loud; your bum has re-shaped!

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toRoxdog

Yes to everything you just said. The days when you reluctantly chuck on your gear and faff about for longer than usual trying to put it off and then once you get out there, wonder what that was all about cos its fabulous out there running!

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

You know you're a runner when you stop having a right knee and a left knee, and start having a good knee and a dodgy knee.

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toSpeedy60

😂😂 body parts never taken for granted again and what about the small fortune spent on plasters, strapping tape, deep heat etc etc

Love this post! Well done lexi6 for putting into words many of my own thoughts. I can't claim to share the toenail moment though, but your comment did make me snort out loud with laughter 🤣, so thank you for that!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to

Me too Hidden 🤣

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply to

😂😂 you’re welcome, cherish those toenails. 😊

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduate

So this is what us 🐣🐥🎓 have to look forward too?(!) Oh, my!!

This post and all the responses are a hoot. 🦉🦉🦉

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toGailXrunning

😂😂 Don’t be afraid, its doesn’t hurt - promise! looks a bit odd but my feet were never pretty anyway.

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduate in reply tolexi6

😂😂 Mine neither!🦶

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toGailXrunning

They’re so precious 👣😊

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate

... you realise as you're dressing that your running watch is out of battery but you kit up and run anyway.

... you watch something important on catch-up because you were running. Like Liverpool v Spurs.

... you find yourself making mental note of which roads on your drive to work have pavements or verges.

... you know exactly where in the Tesco/Asda/Sainsbury's shelves to find blister plasters, and have an opinion on their various brands.

... you can do x5 ÷8 or ÷5 x8 far faster than most other types of calculation.

... last time you got your hair cut, you chose one that'd be easy to tie back / keep out of your eyes while running.

... you watch something REALLY important on catch-up because you were running. Like Bake Off.

... waking up at stupid-o'clock on a Saturday makes you think "early morning run!" instead of "Oh! I wanted a lie in."

... you don't mind starting your run by going downhill, even though you know it means uphill later on.

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toMagellan

😂😂 they’re brilliant!

Windoze profile image
WindozeGraduate

@lexi6 written from the heart! 😍 thats what I love about the people here. Xx

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply toWindoze

Aaw! Thanks Windoze I love this place too ❤️ really special people here

jwillmac profile image
jwillmacGraduate

All true , not lost any toenails.....yet .Yes an assortment of running tops , tights and head gear in Day-Glo, drooling over new running shoes and not handbags and being excited about running with my new chest torch .Who knew, from another 60 someone!

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate in reply tojwillmac

😂😂 really envious of your head torch. I’ve spent part of my day over here looking at all the UK Black Friday sales big envious sighs (covet, covet, covet) Go you jwillmac think 60 is the new 30 maybe even less if we believe Garmin 😂

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