My Running story, squeezed in at the ... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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My Running story, squeezed in at the end of July:

41 Replies

Q: Please attach a picture, doesn't have to be of you if you don't want - but tell us here: what is the picture about?

A: This was the day recently that we took the dogs to the Rollright Stones, an ancient stone circle in the Cotswolds, near Chipping Norton where we live. I'm standing in front of the Whispering Knights, a burial place that would once have been earth covered. I'm dressed in my running kit because Mic, my partner left me there to run home.

Q: Tell us a little bit about you!

A: I'm in my 70s. I'm a writer, photographer, illustrator, Druid and, most important of all, mother and grandmother (one of my happiest runs was with my daughter and granddaughter). I ran in my teens till a road traffic accident left me with a fractured femur at age 19. Perceived wisdom at the time was that you couldn't run after such an injury, so I've spent most of my adult life only running to catch buses. I run for joy and never wear headphones (now c25k is over), preferring to connect with my surroundings: I never get bored while running, there's so much to see and hear.

Q: How long have you been a runner?

A: In my teens (when my running gear was bare feet or baseball boots and, often as not, a mini dress), and now for just 9/10 months.

Q: Did you start running with a C25K programme? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I had wanted to run again after getting my first tracker 3 or 4 years ago, but thought my injuries meant I couldn't. Then my daughter began c25k last August, and i could no longer hold myself back, and began the program last October. She introduced me to the c25k forum too. After the first 2 weeks of c25k, I went to see my GP to check it was ok to run. I'm pretty sure she's a runner herself. She told me running was the best thing for my injuries, that running gave you a fantastic endorphin rush, and to get my gait tested. To be honest, i think i would have kept on running even if she'd advised me not to.

Q: But what made you want to start running races?

A: I think it's a natural progression. I mostly run for enjoyment, but from time to time a focus is good and moves you on. Plus I haven't had the experience of public event running, so I'm excited about that.

Q: What's it like to run in your area?

A: Stunning scenery, hills, hills and more hills, some interesting footpaths and ancient salt ways, but some routes can be dangerous at certain times of day when you have to run sections of road with no footpath beside it and traffic coming at you at speed round bends.

Q: What is your favourite race event so far? And why?

A: I haven't done one yet, am doing the Blenheim charity 10k race in September.

Q: What are your favourite mid-race snack, and post-race meal?

A: Haven't done a race, but will probably take just an energy gel and a soya chocolate milk for after.

Q: Name a favourite running website (plus link, please!):

A: Run Mummy Run. I don't know if the link will work, as it's a closed Facebook group: bit.ly/2K7Jkln

Q: What's next for you, running-wise?

A: I want to keep building up my distance and letting my speed develop naturally. i have the 10k race in September, and want to do at least one HM next year. This is a journey that just keeps on unfolding, and it's tremendously exciting.

41 Replies

I'm excited for you Flick! Imagine getting this whole world re-opened for you after all this time... amazing!

I loved your story, so interesting to hear your background and I now understand why you're so very grounded!

Love the pic too, you look fantastic and of course I am a huge dog lover too.

I already follow your posts with enthusiasm, but of course I'm even more sucked into your world - it's like a beautiful novel where the next chapter arrives at your discretion, a bit like George Martin and his Game of Thrones! Yes, so we might even get a dragon next chapter, ok, well maybe not but I'll be glued to your post nonetheless.

As always Flick, wishing you well 😘

#neverchange

in reply to

Thank you!!! what lovely things to say :) And it IS exciting, it's opened up so much that i thought i had lost forever, and made me so happy.

Incidentally, when is series 8 of GOT out? xx

in reply to

They say April next year, but we're quite used to delays now, so we'll see.

nme.com/blogs/tv-blogs/game...

There's also a spin off prequel planned, but I'm not sure what to make of that.

Xx

in reply to

Oh, no, i thought it was going to be this autumn! No, i don't fancy the idea of a spinoff (it hasn't, from my point of view, worked with The Handmaid's Tale).

I hope they don't delay Outlander as well :( xx

in reply to

Outlander had been ok for timeslot (I think!) and I'm behind so hopefully I'll just be caught up when the next one is ready! Xx

in reply to

That’s good to know xx

APScotland profile image
APScotland in reply to

Oooh - can't wait for the next Outlander series too ... I'm well and truly hooked! xx

in reply to APScotland

Me too 😊

Sqkr profile image
SqkrHalf Marathon

What a lovely photo ☺️ it just encapsulates so much of what you wrote in one picture somehow!

in reply to Sqkr

Thank you! I nearly posted the collage of myself, daughter and granddaughter running together this spring, but I had already put it in a separate post on the bridge to 10k forum at the time

Tbae profile image
TbaeMetric Marathon in reply to

Bet they are very proud of you and you of them.

I bet people cannot believe you are a proud grandmother.💥🏃‍♀️💥

in reply to Tbae

You are very kind! I'm mega proud of them both. My granddaughter is 14 so is at the age when it isn't cool to be proud of your grandmother ;)

Tbae profile image
TbaeMetric Marathon in reply to

🙈😂😂. That will soon change.👍👏👏

Tbae profile image
TbaeMetric Marathon

Lovely story, lovely lady.

You look amazing .💥🏃‍♀️💥

in reply to Tbae

Gosh, thank you! :)

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Marathon

Great story Flick! Glad you wore some jazzy leggings in the pic 👌🏽

in reply to Tasha99

Thanks Tasha :) Most of my leggings are jazzy LOL x

Fab photo Flick! Beautiful dogs! and lovely interesting post once again.You are amazing❤️👏🏃‍♀️!xx

in reply to

Aw, thanks Maggie. How are you doing? Haven't seen a post from you for a few days. are we running tomorrow? xxx

in reply to

Hi Flick I’m doing great thanks. I’ve been working long hours and getting home late so sometimes my posts have been non existent. Anyway yes please ! let’s run run tomorrow that would be grand.

I have sent my Brooks back to the shop and I’m waiting for a replacement pair. It was last Tuesday that they were sent off so it’s been a week now so will hopefully hear from the shop today.And I’ve chosen a nicer colour. More in keeping with us ladies that trot ha!

Black/Pink colourway so will post photo soon.

So it’s back to the old favourites for the moment. I expect they’ll be jumping for joy when I put them on hee! hee! 🤣🤣🤣

Hope your well Flick and looking forward to your race in Sept.🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️❤️

in reply to

Ooh love the sound of your new shoes! And stop working, it’s bad for your health 😂 See you tomorrow😊🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

in reply to

Ha! I wish 😀😀Anyay this time next year I will have been retired completely so looking forwRd to that. Counting the months! I’ve even got my own chuff chart.hee! hee! 😀

in reply to

Good for you 😊you will love not working, always so many interesting things to do xx

in reply to

Looking forward to it! Flick just wrote a post. New shoes have just arrived. There is a photo! So got go out now tomorrow to try them out ! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀

in reply to

Love them Maggie, good colour choice xx

in reply to

Thanks Flick!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Wonderful - thank you so much Flick! That photo is beyond glamorous!!!

Your GP is fab :)

Hope it's OK to link this and the challenge post together?

Challenge post is here (there's still time, folks!):

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

in reply to roseabi

Thank you, that's very kind. I wish Isha, my lurcher, had been facing the camera as she really is beautiful (you can see her on my profile page).

My GP IS amazing. I've kept her even though I've moved out of Oxford for now. I really must remember to ask her if she runs - I'm pretty sure she does as she seems to know loads about it.

Of course you can link the posts. i've really enjoyed reading other people's :)

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to

It makes me think of iconic rock album covers from the '70s :) Amazing photo on your profile page! I really like lurchers.

I wish I could have kept my Oxford GP! - we moved from Oxford to Hove (a few years ago now) though, so it's a bit far :D

Thank you!!

The owner of the black and white lurcher took the photo. Isha is my running inspiration. I wish I could take her running with me, but she crosses in front of me, trips me up and want to stop and wee :(

A very close friend of mine moved from Oxford to Hove - seems one of the migration routes :)

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon

Great Post Hidden . I want your GP. When I visited mine last with a bad knee she told me that running probably wasn't the best thing for me. I just looked at her with that condescending "aw, she doesn't get it" look. And we said no more about it.

Lovely that you have reconnected with running again and you can do it with you daughter and granddaughter!

Thank you! I think a lot of medical people don’t get it still. It will change 😊

HoagyM profile image
HoagyMHalf Marathon

Lovely post Flick, a fascinating read and quite a story - you're an inspiration! And great pic too, very stylish and cool... definitely like a 70's rock album cover :)

in reply to HoagyM

Thank you 😊❤️❤️❤️

Thank you lovely 😊 just call me Freddie Mercury 😉

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Half Marathon10 Miles

Wow what a great story! Huge admiration for you. 🙌🏼 X

in reply to Ripcurlrana71

That’s very kind x

GeorgiosA profile image
GeorgiosAMarathon

Thank you for posting your story - and I love the photo with the dogs :)

in reply to GeorgiosA

Thank you :)

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Wonderful story Flick! It is fascinating to hear other people’s journeys. Beautiful animals too.

in reply to Decker

Thank you so much :) x

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