Things to do this week: Become a grandmother ✅ Run a Half Marathon ✅ Feel proud of both ✅

[cheekychipmunks]

Today was the day. The day when Dexy5 completed her landmark run (I’m sure she’ll post about it! 🏃‍♀️👊👍🎉) and UpTheStanley and I ran our HM distance in 2 different parts of the South of England. He’ll no doubt post too! 🏃‍♂️👍👊🎉

To cut to the chase, I did it! My goal was to run the lot as I’m not worried about being (or able to be!) a gazelle. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ I set off 30 minutes later than I’d hoped and got to the towpath car park at 7:30am. Lovely and sunny, but more to the point quite chilly at 9 degrees. ☀️ Perfect. 👍

I brought along my hydration vest with plain water in the bladder, and my small flip belt bottle with 1/2 a sachet of raspberry Tailwind, along with some trusty jelly babies. I began fueling at 9k and was happy with how I managed it. 😀

I was hoping to run it in 3 hours, but I was 3:15 in the end. My legs were the culprits as ever, but my puff was awesome. 💪 I know what to work on for the Bath Half - hammies and glutes! 😅 Yes I could have Jeffed when I was flagging - but I simply prefer to run. It’s my goal. And yes I did it!! 😀🏃‍♀️

So woohoo! 🎉 Home now to cuddle my grandson who’s coming home shortly! I had my daughters loooong labour in mind, and that’s what got me to 21.2k (extra 0.1k just to be certain!) I also earned my Garmin Connect HM badge - now to get my new one on here! 🏅🏅

You guys helped me yet again, so as ever - thank you! ❤️❤️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Yay cheekychipmunks! congratulations on your HALF MARATHON. Shout it from the hilltops - you have done it. Greatest respect to you on a fantastic achievement, getting from the couch to 21.2k.

You are probably going to find the Great South Run a run in the park after that.

Now you can enjoy your Glamourous Grandmother time, knowing you’ve got that out of the way. 👶 🍼. I’m sure that’ll be far easier.

Looking forward to seeing you in October.

🏃‍♀️☀️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏅🏆🍾🥂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Oh yes I can’t wait to spend some quality time with him Dexy, he’s soooooo cute! 💙💙

Thanks so much - and woohoo to you too! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Roll on the GSR! I’m so looking forward to it! 👏👏👏

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon]

Here's to us - wha's like us? Damn few - and they're a' deid

Apologies to (probably?) Burns and congratulations to you (I reckon you finished an hour before me) and my lovely pacer Dexy5 (who finished 25 minutes before me).

Details (and badge claim) to follow ……. I see yours is already with us

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Well done UTS, assuming your rightful place on the podium 👏👏👏👏👏👏😊🍺🍺🍺. I bet the run was like a walk in the park for you, except you will have achieved some insane pace! Lovely trio of achievements in one day, congrats to the three of you . See response to Dexy5 for post run instructions!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Couldn’t wait for the badge UTS! Seriously, it spurred me on (yes, I’m that sad!!) Well done to you and Dexy too! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🎉🏅

[MsLegs 10 Miles]

Congratulations! X

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to MsLegs]

Thanks RP! 😀

[Becky1606 Half Marathon]

Well done cheeky so pleased for you!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Becky1606]

Thanks Becky. I’ve decided a marathon isn’t for me though, so I’m hoping I don’t get my ballot place for London! 🤞🤞🤞😅😅😅

[Becky1606 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hahaha I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! A marathon doesn’t interest me much either - I really like 10-20k anything after that seems too much 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Becky1606]

Absolutely agree. The thought of running the same distance again this morning filled me with horror! Not a chance! 😅

[Kevtrev Marathon]

Wow that’s an amazing achievement cheekychipmunks a massive congratulations to you 👏👏👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😉 and congratulations on becoming a grandmother you must be so proud 😉👍😁😃😊XX

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Kevtrev]

Thanks so much Kev, yes I’m very proud indeed. It’s been a good week. 👍😀

[Kevtrev Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Your very welcome yes you definitely deserve a fantastic week of celebrations you have earned it and being a grandmother is a blessing I’m very happy for you xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Kevtrev]

Thank you! 😀😀😀😀

[Kevtrev Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You are very welcome 😉😊😁😃😀🤗xx

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you Cheekychipmunks on completing your first Half marathon, great time as well, now go and celebrate 🎉

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al! One thing my celebrations won’t include is dancing though! I have no leg muscles left!!! 😅😅

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍

[backintime 10 Miles]

woo hoo

congratulations on BOTH your achievements this week

2 days of labour sounds horrendous - kudos to your daughter - definitely an inspiration

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

Oh yes BIT, it was definitely a huge inspiration. That and my shiny new badge!! 😅🏅

[grumpyoldgirl]

B*###y amazing, cheeky! 🎉💪👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG! That’s enough for me though. I don’t think I could physically do a marathon. Kudos to all those that do. The thought of running the same distance all over again is abhorrent! 😅😅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous Cheeky! What a week! Huge congratulations on your first HM and on becoming a grandmother too. Bet you can't stop smiling 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Oh thanks so much Linda! Yes I’ve been smiling since the minute I finished running! Quite a week! 😀😀

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

She smiles while she's running! Quite amazing

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Oh heck, I hope I don’t - that’s just confirming that I’m a bonkers running woman!! 🤪🙄😅

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Awesome run cheeky!! Wooohoooooo many congratulations 🏆🏆🏆🏆🥇🥇🥇🥂🥂🍾🍾👏👏👏👏. A triumph of planning(not accidental like some I could name🙄) and commitment. You really deserve this and I couldn't be more pleased! Now for your tipsy grandma act !!! You will be famished! Goooooo cheeky !!!!😊😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC! 👍😀 Hahaha, yes I’m sure he’d love to see his grandma necking the bubbly and singing cheesy 80’s tunes in celebration!! 🎶🎉🥂🤪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Wrong tense....sure he will love to see Grandma necking bubbly ....this no time to go all proper and grown up on us 🥂🥂🥂🥂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh alright then, if you insist BC!! 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Fantastic result Cheeky!! 👍🏻😁

That makes you a superwoman of a grandma! The wee one would be most impressed if they knew 😉

Enjoy your triumph.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks Jojo! It’s extra special as they’re home from the hospital today too! Such a great day! 🏃‍♀️💙🎉🥂

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

That is simply wonderful Cheeky, what an amazing and fantastic achievement. You really deserve to feel proud, very proud Super photo of you. And how lovely to be able to celebrate by cuddling your new grandson. I've had a rather stressful day and your post has made me smile, thank you

ps I would be interested to hear more about hydration and food, did you have to experiment quite a lot? Maybe direct me to another of your posts.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Aww I’m so glad I was able to cheer your day up a bit SS! ❤️ It was a special run indeed. 😀

As regards fueling, I always take jelly babies as a sugar boost (beware, keep them dry or they turn to slimy slugs 😅). Some people favour flapjacks, dates - anything easy to nibble on the go that contains sugar. Personally I start on JBs at around 9-10k.

I like plain water to drink, and also to prevent my mouth drying out. Plus I use SIS electrolyte tablets if it’s very hot (in a separate bottle of water), or, like today, I used Tailwind dissolved in a separate water bottle. I interchanged JBs and Tailwind from 9k onwards today. Tailwind contains carbs and some have caffeine too. I bought a sample pack as they make loads of flavours. 👍

That’s just what I do. It’s very personal, and worth experimenting with what you prefer. Hope that’s somewhat helpful! 😀😀

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you so much for all that information, really very helpful 😊. I haven't experimented yet - only up to 13k!

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

Woo hoo! Bloomin’ brilliant Cheeky! I am so proud of you; the HM distance is challenging, but you handled it beautifully! 👏👏👏

Congratulations on the new grandson too 👶 What a week of joy for you!

Big hugs,

Sadie-runs xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sadie-runs]

Oh wow, too right is it challenging Sadie! I was absolutely fine until around 14k, then I began to realise just how much further I had to go! I also noticed how much more energy I had in the shade, but the towpath had several sunny stretches where I flagged. Still, it’s done! Yay! 😀👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Whoop whoop! You absolute star Munks 🎉🥂🎈🏃‍♀️💪 you did it!

Many congratulations and well done to you, and also many congratulations on your new grandson. How special is this? A memorable day all round 🙂🙂

Enjoy the post HM glow 🤗

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks so much IP, all ready for Bath now! At least it’ll be cooler in March! 😀👍

Yes, a fantastic day. My grandson is gorgeous! 💙

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You’ll be able to run around with him when he finds his little running legs 🤗🤗

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes I must admit that Junior Parkrun has already crossed my mind! But it’s a no for pushing the buggy around our hilly parkruns - his mum or dad can have that pleasure!! 😅

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done on cracking the HM - great effort!👍🏃🏽‍♀️🙂 A pretty special day all roud by the sound of it - becoming a Grandmother too!😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, a cracking day indeed! It’s a great feeling (my legs don’t necessarily agree! 😅)

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Hi CC. Congrats on the long run and the amazing new arrival. Hope you are very proud of both.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Oh yes, too right Stephen, I am super chuffed with both! 😀👍

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

What an absolute superstar you are our lovely d’Artagnan 😃😃 I never had any doubt you would do it and it sounded like a lovely run. Your new badge is shining brightly 🏆 Go and celebrate, put your feet up and enjoy a big granny cuddle with your precious boy 🤱🏼🍾🎉🧁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Awww Sandie! Thank you! I’ve had the cuddliest cuddle, he’s so precious! 💙💙

As for the run, it was phenomenal - such a long way and it took all my might to run the extra “just to make sure” 0.1k! My legs were complaining like crazy! 😩😅🏃‍♀️

Next stop GSR - can’t wait to see you there! 😀😀

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me too! It is going to be such a fab day 😃

[Runsome Marathon]

Wow Cheeky that’s magnificent all that training you put in has come to fruition. What a fantastic achievement. If someone had said you will be running half marathon distance on C25k week 1 you would have thought they were mad. Now look at you a proper runner well done and good on you. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🏅💪🏃‍♀️ ps congrats on the new arrival of your grandson, two special events to celebrate 👏👏👏👏 🎉🍾🍾😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Runsome, oh yes you’re so right! There’s no way Jose I’d have believed I could have run 13.1 miles ever! What an amazing bunch of people on these forums though - without them there’s not a chance I’d have got so far! 😀👍

Being a grandma is awesome! He’s a little munchkin! 💙💙

[Jell6]

I've had to follow this community just to get the opportunity to say.........CONGRATULATIONS CHEEKY 💐🎖🍾🎉🎊🎈🎊🎉🍾.

On both the HM, and the new addition 🤗, so well done, I'm impressed, I knew that you would do it. X

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Jell6]

Aww thanks Jell! And you joined the community especially! Thank you!!! 😀😀😀

It was quite a day today. Our grandson is luscious but my legs are currently on strike! 😅😅

[Oldfloss Administrator]

BLOOMING BRILLLIANT..... GO GO GO!!!!!!

Now you are a NEW GRAMMY !!! and a HALF MARATHONER....

Simply delighted for you on both counts... although I have to say the Grammy bit just takes the tape first

Well done my friend xxxxxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you sooo much Floss! It really is special isn’t it? Newborns smell delicious! 💙💙💙

My legs are currently muscle free and are on strike! They did carry me for a long time though! 😅😅

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

xx

[uncle_wiggy Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Well done cheeky, you can have 1&1/2 thumbs up from me 👍 😉 great week!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thank you so much Unc! It was fun and I’m over the moon that I did it on the day my daughter and grandson came home! 💙👍❤️🏃‍♀️

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Many congratulations Cheeky - on both accounts! Your badge really suits you - can you get a 'grandmother' one as well?😀 Enjoy - it's a fantastic experience!👍🍼

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Hahaha, yes wouldn’t that be great Jonathan! Grandparent should have a badge too for sure! 😅😅

[TailChaser Marathon]

Ooh, so many shiny new badges today, but yours is very, very shiny! I’ve got badge envy 😁. Very, very well done cheeky! 👏👏👏🥳👏 I knew you could do it, you seem to be a natural at the longer runs and with the endorphins of becoming a grandmother running through your veins it really was a sure thing! Perfect temperatures as you said, it’s been so sunny today hasn’t it.

Fantastic!! 👏👏👏🏃🏼‍♀️👍👍👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TC - I’m shallow when it comes to badges. I saw Beachcomber66 ’s the other day and had raging FOMO! 😅😅

Yes, long runs are my favourite, but my legs are forbidding me from doing anything longer than 5k for a few runs! Next proper long one will be the GSR! 👏👏👏

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think your legs have the right idea, they deserve a rest 😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

They sure do! Restorative yoga for me tomorrow morning and a slow PR on Saturday! 😀🏃‍♀️👍

[Laurzmum]

You guys are a great team !! Great achievement for you all. That couch is miles behind you all now !! ❤️ 🛋 to 🏃🏻‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Laurzmum]

Aww thanks Laurzmum! It certainly wasn’t behind me yesterday evening! I was stuck firmly to it. 😅😅😅

[Gwenllian1]

That is awesome ok both fronts! I'm never going to join you at the distance you can do now, totally amazing. I'm still working on getting to ten k. I've got ten grandchildren though so I think I'm allowed to welcome you to the grand and ancient order of the running grandma!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Gwenllian1]

Thanks Gwenllian! Oh wowowow 10 grandchildren?!!! ❤️❤️ I’m such a newbie on that front! Isn’t it great though? 💙💙

[Gwenllian1 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It's fab. And as my lovely mother used to say " I love it when they come and I love it when they go!" 😀☺️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Gwenllian1]

🤣🤣

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

Congratulations on both fantastic events! What a week

I like your extra bit, I do that too since I got robbed of a 10km medal because app decided to shorten my run, the cheek!

Hope your grandchild is suitably impressed with your run

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks CP2! Yes, can you imagine the horror at running 21.1k, only to find that HM was 21.15 or something? All that effort! 😩😩😩

My grandson frankly couldn’t give two hoots currently, when he’s old enough to understand, he’ll be hearing all about it!! 💙💙

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think you should start telling him now, start him young

Omg missing it by 0.5 meters or something... non! I can’t even fathom it

[BaddieThePirate]

Woohoo! 🏅Well done to all of you, and big congratulations to your daughter 🥂💐

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks so much Baddie! 👍😀

[alisonx]

Congratulations Cheeky 👏🏻🏅🏆🍾🥂

What an achievement - you are amazing! Enjoy the celebrations and the badge

Also congrats on the new arrival! You must be so proud - enjoy every moment xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to alisonx]

Thank you Alison! I must say, I do love my badge! 😍🏅

As for being a grandma .... well it’s just incredible! 💙💙💙

[C3PO Marathon]

Congratulations with both!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Thank you very much C3PO! 😀😀

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

What a week! Congrats on the HM and the new grandbaby! Enjoy your cuddles, Gramma Cheeky 💕

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Haha yes, quite a landmark week Sask! Soo amazing! ❤️😀

[Katnap Marathon]

And for your next trick?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Hahahaha Katnap! I’m done with big events this week I think! 😅😅

[Knittingrunner Half Marathon]

That’s a wonderful day. Well done and enjoy the cuddles. They are very special. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Knittingrunner]

Oh yes KR, aren’t they just. He’s such a cutie, and to make his arrival home with a HM run was epic and made the discomfort of the last few kms very worth it! 😀

[Knittingrunner Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Cuddles with little grandsons take away all tiredness. I’m looking forward to newest granddaughter cuddles on New Year’s Day! Can’t wait and nor can her cousin she is so fed up with male cousins!! 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Knittingrunner]

Awww! How wonderful! My son is soooo pleased to have a baby nephew. He has 2 sisters and pretty much all girl cousins - at last someone else (apart from dad) to watch footie with! 💙 ⚽️ 😅

[Knittingrunner Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Can’t ask for anything more then. 😊

[SlowLoris]

Well done CC!

It’s a long way. The New Forest half came up just short on Garmin so no PB for me. It shouldn’t bother me but of course it does.

Onwards and upwards.

Much more importantly, congratulations on being a grandparent. That also happened to me recently.

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Wow! Cheeky 👍👏🏻👏🏻 Awesome! on both counts HM and new grandson. Just wonderful! ❤️ X

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Oh! Wow!!!! Wow! Wow! Half marathon!!!!! Did someone say Half marathon?!!! You super star you! 🌟Yikes! Whoopee! Fantastic! 🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍☀️ 💥⚡️ 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

The badge looks superb by your name! Well done cheekychipmunks! Seriously impressive! Brilliant! And not only that but now a grandmother. What a day you had! I hope that you have had some lovely cuddles now.