This can't be me, I've been taken over by aliens.

[GoldenOldy]

Just before Christmas I discovered a ladies running group that cater for beginners not too far from me. They run Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and were starting again after Christmas on Monday 7th January. Normally I run on my own in the middle of nowhere and don't see a soul. How could I possibly wheeze and juffle in a group of others. The break gave me time to build up the confidence to run in public and with a group.

They would have to put up with me just once, perhaps I could give them all earplugs so they couldn't hear me. I made sure I didn't back out and went on Monday, by which time I was up to week 7 run 3. There were 11 of us, I was the only newbie and the others were experienced runners, (some running marathons this year,). There were 2 leaders so one stayed with me and we took a shorter route to run for 25 minutes to keep me in the right place on the programme. The other group were out for an hour!

It was fantastic. The leader was so encouraging and I couldn't wait to go back yesterday.

Due to illness there was only 1 leader so we all went the same route for a gentle jog, (that is all I can manage anyway!). The experienced ones were allowed to go ahead in a group and meet up with us at a certain point. I don't know the area we are in so I just went at my pace and joined the others after 2.23 miles in 29 minutes. Perfect timing to keep within the programme. Then I learnt we do shuttle runs between lamp posts and try to speed up at certain times, with breaks inbetween to walk a little. We do that for 10 minutes. I put great effort into that as my ultimate aim is to be able to sprint. After the 10 minutes it's a gentle jog back.

In total I was out for 45 minutes and covered 3.1 miles.

That can't be me saying that, I'm not a runner, never have been and never will be. NO WAIT, IT IS ME, I haven't been taken over by aliens.

Good luck to everyone out there. No matter what stage you are at keep going - you can do it.

[skf28 Graduate]

fantasic - well done you should be very proud of yourself

[GoldenOldy in reply to skf28]

Thank you, I am incredibly proud and totally amazed.

[rolphie2 Graduate]

Wow well done you. it does make a difference running with other people doesn't it. I to have joined a running club, just progressed from beginners group to main group and have to say I love it. Which is strange as I have spent the last 30 odd years trying to avoid all forms of exercise. You truely are a runner now fantastic let us know how your future runs go!

[GoldenOldy in reply to rolphie2]

I don't have any gizmos to tell me how far I go on my own but I'm convinced I ran faster in the group, (even though the group was really only had the leader with me the first night!), and I still coped and ran for the whole time.

Yay, I'm a runner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[greenlegs Graduate]

Thank you for this - it's very interesting reading about running groups. So far, I can't imagine joining one, as I like running on my own (and being slow) - but I'm beginning to wonder... Maybe one day...

[GoldenOldy in reply to greenlegs]

I wasn't sure even on Monday if I ought to go with a group but it turned out to be better than I could have hoped for. Once I was running for 20 minutes without stopping I began to wonder if I could manage, so I decided to just go for it. I'm very lucky to have the ladies group nearby, I found them on runegland.org - so when you feel brave just go for it as well.

In the meantime keep going on your own. It worked for me and still will on days I can't go to the group.

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to GoldenOldy]

Thanks! Just had a look at runengland (which I hadn't been aware of before). The searching thing didn't work too well, as the maximum search distance was 10km, and my nearest town in 12 miles away, but once I found the other search box (where I could just put the county in), it came up with a ladies' running group very close to where I work.

So now I know where I could go, once I finish c25k. Thank you! I just might try it.