I think I’ve only ever done one other evening run and that was when I ran with another running group early last year. I decided not to join that group.
The group I tried out last night was a much smaller group and will suit me better.
It’s a ‘Run Together’ group and they meet a few times a week for various different runs. Katie, the group leader, didn’t know which group to put me into, so we went for a short run and chat so she could see for herself! They do run Couch to 5K and C25K improvers, but the most recent improvers graduated in January and they have a new class starting in July, so at my current level I’m in between. She thinks my stamina will improve quite quickly and I’ll probably join that group eventually. They don’t bother about your pace but will help you improve it if that’s what you want. There is a Jeffing group that has a couple of runners that join them, but run continually. I’m going to run again with Katie next week in that group. Could be interesting! There are longer runs on different nights and those who want to can meet for hill repeats or speed work at a nearby running track.
I found the second half of the run tough due to the humidity! Katie offered me the choice of a short but steep climb or a long incline near the end. I went for the steeper climb, oh boy! But I kept going (in heart rate zone 5) I was NOT going to stop! She, of course, didn’t even break stride!
I absolutely loved chatting and running with someone else and I’m already looking forward to getting to know the others in the group. Towards the end, Katie was still chatting but wasn’t getting any response from me other than a few grunts while I was in heartrate zone 5 🤣, I’m not convinced she noticed!
I’m also looking forward to discovering new routes. Although I have to drive to the meeting place - it’s only 10 minutes away and it’s where they do the Park Run. There are many trail runs through the woods in the area, mixed runs and road runs.
I still have to do Week 9 Run 3 as this run wasn’t quite long enough at 25 minutes. I stick to the rules 🤣 . This was an extra run 😊🏃♀️👍
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Jools2020
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That is brilliant! It sounds like you've found the perfect fit! 👏👏👏 Given that steep climb I think you your zone 5 running could make up for the 5 mins under w9r3 but I know how satisfying it is to complete the full 30mins of that final run. Very well done, enjoy your graduation run! 🏃♀️🎽🏅
I think you’re right about the Zone 5 compensating, but like you say I want my graduation run to be just that! I’ll reach the end of my 30 minutes and the crowd will roar as I run through the tape 🤣
Thanks! Felt really good on the drive home. It’s not easy to do - meet up with a group of strangers, but I had to do something about spending so much time on my own 😊
Yes Jools2020 love this 💚 sounds like you're so reinvigorated and excited about this. I'm used to after work/early evening runs during the week as I prefer this to early ones. I can then hydrate and fuel accordingly and have dinner to look forward to after. Well done you! Here's to new memories and exciting times ahead 😀
Thank you ❤️ I’m getting there! If anything is going to change for me I have to overcome my fears of going places by myself - *I* have to make those changes! I am excited. I’m back to running again and although not at peak fitness yet, I’ve done C25K again which was a joy! Well, almost done. One run to go 😊
I’ll continue with my early morning runs when I can and fit in these new runs with Running Together and other events that they organise. They will encourage me to run in events. I’ll soon get used to running in the evenings. Already looking forward to running in the dark! I’ve done the hardest part now - turning up last night. My heart rate was through the roof!
This is just awesome! An EXTRA run! 🙌 And I am envious of you having some running buddies. I saw a group this morning, but I was almost finished and they were off in the distance on a different route ...
Well, I was going to wait until after I’d graduated but the group leader was keen to meet me! I’ve wanted to do this for ages, so went with the flow. I was going to suggest running for another 5 minutes last night to make it my graduation run, but (a) I was pooped after the hill and (b) I wanted to focus my energy on graduating with a dedicated run 😊
Brilliant! How exciting 😀 It sounds like a really good fit for you Jools and I hope it works out for you. I've never run with anyone else, which is fine, but i think it would be nice to share sometimes.
That sounds like a great club! I love the variety of groups, it means you can change up, down or sideways as you progress (or as the notion takes you on a particular week, if you are feeling tired or strong). Keep going! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Thank you - Yes, exactly! I noticed as well that if one of the group decides to go out for a run - they’ll post it to see if anyone wants to join them - especially if they’re going on a trail run through the woods. I’ve always fancied that 😊
That sounds like a lot of fun and such a great idea to join a small group. I would probably lack the confidence to do this but I love the idea of it. Enjoy your runs
I lack the confidence to do this! I was worrying about it all day 😊. I wanted it enough to go through the pain, though. I got there early and they arrived and were standing in a group. So I got out of my car to join them. It was really hard! But only for a moment 😊
This makes it a doubly great achievement Really well done, it's not easy doing things like this when it makes you anxious. So great to overcome it like that! Like you say too, it's that initial moment between getting out of the car and meeting folk that's the toughest. A good group should soon put newbies at ease. All the best.
congratulations Jools! When I started running I really struggled! Eventually I found this wonderful group that did evening runs which I could do around work!
I joined in 2018 on a cold winters night in January! Post Christmas lots of people joined after around 4 weeks as we left the cone zone and headed out towards the roads!
By this point the beginners group had dropped down to people who were going were sticking with the process! At 4 weeks they add a reboot group for anyone that has run before so they can find away back into it!
This photo was taken as we did a whole club run for the beginners graduation from the spring beginners! Last week!
We do a whole variety of different runs not just beginners! The orange shirts are the run leaders and group Manager!
Normally we run from a school in the north of the town! This time of year we mix it up with road runs and trails!
I have had a few breaks over the years for medical reasons injury’s etc! I have made some really good friends and even got my son in law into it and now he’s a run leader!
Friday night we are having graduation drinks!
We also do park run on a Saturday and some of us head off for breakfast after
Both myself and my son in law started with C25K ! I do like solo runs and sometimes I run with my son in law we certainly did through lock down!
On a Saturday it’s not unusual for all three generations to be at park run though my daughter and grandson 2yrs don’t run! My grandson loves clapping 👏 us over the line!
I am glad you have found a group you like and well done for giving it ago! I am sure you will find many new friends plus another support network! ENJOY 😊
Thanks for posting this, it’s a fabulous story and exactly what I had in mind! Your running has become a family thing, too.
That’s a great photo, too.
I think I’ve started with this group at just the right time. I’m continuing to run a total of 3 times a week and will do the park run once I’ve got a couple of 5Ks under my belt. It’s not my favourite distance but I do want to get involved with it from a social point of view. When I started C25K in 2020, I only had one aim - to run in a parkrun! Of course they were closed, so I did long runs instead.
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Who’d have thought it - Me and 5k ?
Week 6, Run 1 done! 
