Big step forward

[Ginter]

Today I am driving down to Portsmouth to take part in the Great South Run on Sunday. In August 2019 I began my running journey by starting C25k, combining my graduation run with my first parkrun in November 2019. Since then I have run 3 times a week, running in as many parkruns as I could. When lockdown hit I started not parkruns of which I have done for 70 weeks. I have now done 31 parkruns with a pb of 24.33 and volunteer at the local junior parkrun most weeks.I gradually increased my distance so I was running 3 10ks a week when there was no parkrun. I competed in the Great Bristol 10k this year finishing in a creditable 52.23. On Sunday I am hoping to complete the 10 miles in less than an hour and 35 minutes. Not bad for a 66 year old with COPD and type 2 diabetes. This forum was a great help to me when I started out. If you had told me then that I would achieve all this I would not have believed you.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Have fun

Many limits on our capabilities are self imposed and with a good training plan, will power and determination all sorts of things that were formerly deemed to be impossible, can be overcome and new opportunities can open up.

C25K changes lives..........

[Dexy5 Graduate]

An excellent achievement Ginter, and I think parkrun has encouraged many to continue once graduating c25k. I volunteered to tailwalk with you at Southsea parkrun tomorrow, but it had to be cancelled because the Great South 5k route uses the promenade too.

Have a great weekend, meeting old friends in Portsmouth, and a Great Run on Sunday.

[Ginter Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

I was looking forward to meeting you too. My wife and I are staying at the queens and I am going to do Portsmouth lakeside parkrun(slowly) in the morning, wearing an apricot parkrun top, we are also meeting up with Brett on Sunday evening, you are welcome to join us if you are not too busy.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Ginter]

We are marshalling at parkrun tomorrow so look out for us in southsea tourist shirts.

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Good luck! you’re an inspiration and an example of what can be achieved! 👏👏👏😎

[Ginter Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Just wow !!! Great inspiration to just keep on running 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Ginter Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you

[Sandie1961 Graduate]

Wow 😳 As a healthy 60 year old I can only dream of running at that pace! Enjoy GSR. You’ll be home and showered before I finish 😂😂

[Ginter Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Enjoy your run too, is not about the time, it’s about getting out there.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Which Bristol parkrun do you do Ginter? We did Eastville with cheekychipmunks once but I know there are many.

[Ginter Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

My home parkrun is Somerdale pavilion on the site of the old Cadbury factory with the famous curly wurly. You are welcome to come and try it.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Ginter]

Oh yes I’ve heard of the curly wurly. So long as the Parkrun route isn’t like a curly wurly.

[Ginter Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

I am afraid it is!

Curly wurly

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Ginter]

Wow 😮 That would make me dizzy 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

I’m in total awe Ginter. What an example you have set to all those who doubt they can start/complete C25K.

Good luck on Sunday. I’m running the GSR for the 2nd time, but believe me it’ll be nowhere near your time! 😅

[Ginter Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Than you. Enjoy the day, you are a hero whatever time it takes.

[TailChaser Graduate]

Wow! Ginter, what an amazing post! And those are some amazing times you’ve done there too. Have fun on Sunday and good luck with your target 👍👏👏👏

[Ginter Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you

[SkiMonday Graduate]

Some great places there Gunter. Good luck with the Great South Run.

[Ginter Graduate in reply to SkiMonday]

Thank you.

[MerryLynette Graduate]

Congratulations Ginter! Reading your story is inspirational. Good luck for Sunday.

[Chesterlove Graduate]

Amazing! Well done. I hope to be on a similar trajectory at 53 😊

[rayvinloon]

Well done with your achievements, very impressive, and lots of luck for the great South run, if people need some inspiration to start or carry on running then reading your contribution will certainly do it.

Happy running