Graduates Club week 1 challenge

[Frankenfoot23]

I had a sneaky feeling that this challenge might be more difficult than it should be and I wasn't wrong.For the challenge I decided to run week 6 run 1 as it was the only run I hadn't done on the same route as all the others.

It was a very cold winterish evening of 15 degrees - it felt like winter though it's meant to be July, and there was a cold breeze too.

I put on my fleecy jogging bottoms and top and headed out.

The warm up walk seemed to last only seconds before I had to do the first five minute run. I set off too fast and was hoping for the second walk half way through the run. The walk was good but soon over and into the second run of 8 minutes. I warmed up really fast and had been going too quickly again, so I slowed right down and calmed my breathing. Then I was into the next 3 minute walk - which I had been longing for. When you know there's a break due it really plays tricks on you.

After that I did the last five minute run, the best bit as I washailed by almost rapturous applause. An older teenager on a bike was cycling towards me, he began clapping and shouted well done as he passed.

It made my day till I arrived home and the missus said he was probably taking the Mick. Well, I don't think he was, I'm taking it as a well deserved win

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

He meant it! GO you.... It was blinking chilly yesterday evening... and you were very determined to get out there...

HUGE well done to you... !

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! Yes, it was cold - we even lit the fire in the evening!

[Gthants]

Take the win! Well done - and well done that lad for clapping a worthy, hard-working runner! 🙌

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Thanks so much! Yes, I was impressed by him, not many would do that - I'm not sure I would have done that in the past either. First time that has happened but I did read about someone getting a double thumbs up recently on here. It's nice when it happens

[Dancerunner]

He meant it alright! people are so good and encouraging. My son and his friends are so encouraging with me, think it's because they all do sports of some sort and know what it takes to get out there and do stuff. Think that was so sweet of him and it would have made my day too. ❤️

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Dancerunner]

Yeah, really nice of him I did wonder if he was quite sporty as he was out on his bike, so he will understand how difficult it is to get out there and motivate - particularly on days when the weather is quite bleak.

[Naturesweapon Graduate]

Well done! for repeating, according to everyone, one of the trickiest run of this challenge! Since you are sharing your good experience with local youngster, I also had a great experience with some teenagers during one of my runs! I was doing my laps around the field and they were minding their own business under a tree when they decided to join me in the final stretch and we finished the run together! I thought it was a lovely gesture and really appreciated their spontaneity and good vibes 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Naturesweapon]

That's really brilliant to hear So nice of them to do that. All the best!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Great run report for a great run! I’m applauding you from my sofa and it’s definitely genuine here. 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

From what you’ve said, it sounds like your audience was impressed too. Super well done, especially with the challenging weather!

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, I'll take a bow haha. It is difficult weather at the moment isn't it. I am seriously thinking about changing to morning runs when it gets hotter again. There never seems to be a good time to run - and life tries to get in the way. A 20 minute run has 10 minutes of extra warm up walking, 5 minutes or more of stretching. Getting dressed ready and setting phone apps up takes another 10 minutes and then a shower at the end another 15 minutes, so a 20 minute run takes - let's try some math - an hour! Wow. And I want to enjoy running but it feels stressful at times fitting it in, it feels I'm rushing a process that should be enjoyed more - I mean, it's the highlight of my day So getting up sooner and doing it then might be a good idea. If I can manage!