Officially. Certified. Bonkers.

[juicydee]

Wow - I just ran 7k in the rain and LOVED it!!! I hadn't run since my 6k breakthrough last Sunday due to working late all week, and kept putting it off all day in the hope of a dry spell, but the rain showed no sign of letting up so I decided to go for it around 6pm - mainly because I want to run again on Monday so didn't want to run Sunday too. My first run in the rain so I admit to putting on a waterproof, and had Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown blasting away under my hood, which was great fun.

Kept telling myself to slow down and pace myself, and did it in 1 hour and 1 min. Not the fastest time ever, but looked at another way, I CAN RUN FOR OVER AN HOUR!!! Unusually, I only saw one other runner - a hardened type with just a T-shirt on (plus shorts I hasten to add) but plenty of folk huddled under umbrellas giving me strange looks (or was that admiration?).

Hey people, this is me just a month after graduating, four months after starting C25K as a New Year's resolution. I'm signed up for the Bupa London 10K on May 27th and it's looking very hopeful that I'll come in under an hour and a half, which would please me immensely (assuming they haven't closed the course and let the traffic back on the roads by then!!).

Oh boy - it doesn't get much better than this - those endorphins are back with a vengeance! Anyone who's doubting themselves in those early weeks of C25K, please, please take heart that an overweight 55 year old trainee vicar can achieve this AND enjoy it.

It has also given me the boost I needed to put in an extra push on a load of essays I need to get done very quickly for my theology degree - good grief, if I can run 7k I can surely bash out 3000 words on my PC (er - five times... ).

But I do suspect I am about to be taken away by the little men in white coats.....they're coming to take me away, ha ha....

[Hidden]

7k and in rain. Wow. Congratulations!

And I think would I have been one of those people under the umbrellas, I would have given you strange looks too.

Good luck for the 10k! (And the essays)

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks SuZi - good luck with your C25K too!

[blueboots Graduate]

Fantastic, it's great running in the rain isn't it and I love your choice of music, a real motivator. Running for over an hour is a huge achievement, well done. Good luck with the essays.

[juicydee Graduate in reply to blueboots]

Thanks blueboots - I might not have even tried if it hadn't been for folks on here raving about the rain!

[stuckersbigfan Graduate]

Well done! Great choice of music too, I had a bit of Green Day on my run today too. Really gets you moving!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to stuckersbigfan]

My son is a drummer and often plays Green Day stuff, so whenever I hear it I think of him drumming, so that gives my run a real lift (I am a very proud mummy!)

[Gridlet Graduate]

Wow!! You are awesome! Not mad! Well done you! Good luck with the essays, you'll smash the 10k!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Gridlet]

Gosh - thanks Gridlet! And you've just alerted me to the connection between the 10k I need to run and the 12k I need to write..... I'm sure I can come up with a strategy to knock off both at once!! (I did try writing the essays in my head as I ran, but didn't QUITE work... )

[Deryn61 Graduate]

What a wonderful achievement, you are amazing

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

Gosh - thanks Deryn *blushes* - I must say this has completely zapped me; I had no idea I could do this!!

[Tapira Graduate]

Fantastic Juicydee! If that's what bonkers entails I want some if it!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Tapira]

It hasn't all been plain sailing, but all I can say is 'keep going'! Boring but true..... and then you get highs like this as a reward! But lots of slog in between - so be prepared.....

[Kate1991 Graduate]

Congrats on running for an hour! What a milestone to reach!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Kate1991]

Wooo - thanks Kate! I'm still processing it myself! And the amazing thing was that there was more left in the tank (but I did run VERY slowly....).

[Misstrolly Graduate]

what a fantastic feeling, well done!!! I shall be looking out for you at next year's marathon the way you are going! xx

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Misstrolly]

Thanks Misstrolly - I am signed up for the first Ealing Half marathon in September..... I've assumed that will be my longest distance as I feel a full marathon is a bridge too far (I've walked one before - the Playtex Moonwalk - and it was a bloody long way!!). But - who knows??

[TJFlute in reply to juicydee]

You've signed up for what??? Wow!

It puts the likes of me to shame. I only get as far as thinking/talking about the possibilty, but haven't ever signed up.

[juicydee Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

I decided as it was - almost literally - on my doorstep it would be rude not to!! It not only goes right past my house but my church too (aaaarrghhhh!! they've threatened to come out and sing a hymn as I lollop past). And I signed up a long time ago, in a moment of madness before I had chance to figure out whether it was feasible or not..... but with a 10k in my sights and then 4 months after that to double the distance over the summer, I'm feeling fairly chipper about it. Time will as always be a different matter - you are way faster than me so don't feel any shame at all!! You are a huge encouragement

[Minuette Graduate]

That's such an excellent achievement running for an hour!!! Wow!!!

My daughter is also a drummer and she puts together my running playlists, really inspires me so I'm with you on the proud mum thing

Well done

[TJFlute]

There's nothing like the feeling of running for an hour...or more! It's a huge achievement Juicydee and you are a real inspiration for all those graduating and wondering what they could do next.

[Beckipeg]

Definitely bonkers. Sounds great!

[Bxster Graduate]

Loon

and I read this post of yours, muttered and chunttered and got dressed and went out for a run in foul horrid weather

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Bxster]

so who is bonkers now?

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Bxster]

Oh my - I seem to have a hidden talent for cruelty to graddies

[NatG]

That really is fantastic to read- well done you!! I am facing my first run in the lashing rain and wind late tonight (only w1r3 mind!! - love how I still refer to it as a "run"!!), and I'm a tad hesitant about it, so loved reading your blog - very inspirational xx

[juicydee Graduate in reply to NatG]

You are quite right to call it a run: I made it a policy to refer to it as 'running' right from the start - not jogging or anything else. You are a runner - go for it!!!

[BTX4 Graduate]

Yes, you are bonkers - but good bonkers!

Well done. You are an inspiration to eveyone doing C25K.

[Kitty77]

I love this post! I ran for 20 mins for the first time Friday and have been in such a good mood since!! Endorphins are amazing! Imagine how high we'd feel on a sunny day too! Will look forward (!) to that!!

[juicydee Graduate in reply to Kitty77]

Thanks Kitty and well done on your 20 mins!! I have to say that I think the rain played a big part in how I felt - there's something a bit naughty and counter-cultural about it.... Enjoy your endorphins.......

[PatButcher Graduate]

All I can say is WOW!!!!!! I am in awe of what you have achieved , I still struggle Good luck with the 10K

[juicydee Graduate]

Can I just give a mention to a young guy who is inspiring me hugely? justgiving.com/Sam-Kean

He's the son of a college mate of mine; he had a terrible accident on May 7th last year and is celebrating his survival by running the Belfast Marathon next weekend, the anniversary of the accident. I found I was thinking about him and all he's been through as I was plodding my way round my 7k yesterday..... it's an amazing story - really kept me going

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to juicydee]

Truly inspirational story

[smokeysalmon02 Graduate]

It's not crazy to run in the rain- i love it too! It's great as there's not many people around and you can splash in all the puddles 7K wow! Hopeing to get that way, just done week 5 so still a while to go. Best of luck for your 10K

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Great blog great inspiration for me as I run today for the first time without Laura and the podcast.

Graduated last friday, the sun is shining, new trainers ready. I think what your doing is great and hope to be there too, and only 2 years younger than you, so one day, maybe that will be me.

thanks for inspiring others.

[lucylocket10 Graduate]

Running for an hour is just fantastic!! You should be so proud of yourself! I really wanted to go out running again yesterday but the rain put me off - particularly as I wear glasses and it can get to the point where I am so soaked that I cannot see (and it would have meant missing my rest day) so I am doubly impressed that you ran 7k in the pouring rain! You really are inspirational! lucy x

[ChrisMcB Graduate]

WOW over an hour! Amazing!

[juicydee Graduate]

Hey guys - I just came back to this post after a couple of days and saw how many people had commented - I just wanted to say how touched I am by all your lovely words. Wow - what terrific support! THANK YOU!!!