Thanks everyone who ventured out into the snow then blogged...

[Poppy2010]

I got up in time for the Parkrun this morning, looked out and saw a blanket of several inches of snow, and more falling. Eventually checked facebook and saw the run was still on, but dithered so long that I wimped out - not the snow or the cold; but the feeling that I alone would be making all those volunteers stay out in the freezing cold for at least 8 minutes more than everyone else, so I sat indoors, bored and getting annoyed with myself.

From midday I was looking after my grandson until my daughter came home from work, I had a cuppa with her then she settled on the couch to catch up on tv; and I turned on the laptop and started reading the blogs...

How many people had venutured out into the snow, slush, ice and wind and enjoyed themselves, had runs of varying success but been doing it!! That was it, I could bear it no more...

We were going out at 6.30, but at 5,30 I changed into running gear, put Laura on the Ipod and set out! It was wet slushy snow, with a biting wind so the warm up walk last all of 50 metres then I started to run, and run and run. Listening to week 9 podcast I ran down the path into town, then turned to find the riverside path back; it felt slow and my legs were heavy, and I found it hard to hit the beat now I have been doing stepping stones where it is so obvious.

Once on the way back the snow began to come down again, I took pleasure in sticking ot my tongue to catch some snow flakes (I only saw 2 dog walkers, so was quite alone!) Ran through the warm down walk after the 30 minutes, and up to the 50 metre mark from home.

Imap told me I had run 5.1k, and as I didn't walk it was my quickest pace and minutes per mile, so was very happy! I think I will have to start timing now from the point I start running to get a more accurate picture, not that I am results obsessed! Third 5k this week, and I have downloaded a bridge to 5k free podcast just to have a look...

So, many thanks everyone who blogged and got me to get my butt of the couch today ( and we came 3rd in the quiz, so that was ok! Home, uniform ironed, food prepared for 12 hour shift and alarm set for 4.45am; but I will sleep well knowing I ran today!

[Sadiekit Graduate]

What a lovely post. I want to do this when I've done my. 9 week thing. Thanks.

[Malcy Graduate]

Wow- putting us all to shame. Well done!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Absolutely fantastic poppy, I can really feel your joy and sense of achievement! Reading the blogs can be so inspiring and motivating and I think so many of us have them to thank for to get us out the door! Very well done!

Love the way that this snow brings out the big kid in us all......"sticking my tongue out"! Luv it!!

Hope you have a good day at work.

Sue

[Beads Graduate]

Good for getting out, it's fun running when it's actually snowing isn't it?

I did the parkrun in spirit but not in practice. I checked the website just after 8, ours was still running as well, but with a caution regarding the roads, in particular the steep hill up to the parkrun. As I live on the wrong side of the park I would need to get the car up it (and back down again afterwards) so bottled out and just ran locally.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Smasging blog Poppy, glad you enjoyed it, running through the snow is fun and even more so when its just falling. For me it makes a very well known route completely different, its a new canvas to run on but you know the terrain. Haven't got any up here but will get out for a walk later on. Recovering from injury so no running for me yet.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Really enjoyed reading that, thank you. I had similar parkrun thoughts to you, about holding up the volunteers! (And looking at the results, it would have been true, as only the reasonably fast people went out in the yukky weather. Still, not a very good excuse!)

You're doing a lot more distance than I am - and speeding up too, from the sound of it, so really well done. And you're doing shifts too, which sounds vile to me. Go you!