Hello and welcome along to this week's weekly chat. Tasha99 and I are hosting this week and have been reflecting on running.
Having turned 50 myself yesterday, we thought we'd ask you 5 questions for my 5 decades. Can you answer these 5 questions with a total word limit of 50 or less?
1. Why did you start running?
2. Why do you keep running?
3. Running low?
4. Running high?
5. What's surprised you about running?
Here are our answers which we discussed over a lovely Indian meal at our favourite restaurant ❤
Tasha99
1. Weight loss
2. Mental health and weight control
3. Losing my mojo last month-I cut back but kept running and re-evaluated and adjusted my mindest
4. Believe it or not, not my 26.2 but my first sub 30 minute parkrun. I cried!
5. The relationships I've made, especially meeting my soulmate on HU ♥️
GTFC
1. To run a 5 mile leg in a work team Marathon.
2. Mental health and freedom
3. Being injured/unwell and being unable to run
4. My first run in the rain with Tasha99 in Middlesbrough (pictured above)
5. The life changes it has given me. Meeting and moving in with Tasha99.
We can't wait to read your replies...
From The Team xxx
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Hello both, how lovely to have you hosting the weekly chat. As I'm not running at the moment I've a lot of time for reflection;
1. At age 15 I found if I ran home from school 3 miles through the woods I could beat the bus, otherwise it meant at least a half hour wait for said bus to leave the station.
2. Because I can, I'm running away from old age, slowing down and Zimmer frames with every step.
3. Psoriasis blisters on my feet and barely being able to walk, let alone run.
4. First 10k I ran every step, slower and slower and cried at the end.
5. How many different people have wanted to run C25k with me and realising I'd really rather run on my own (sshh don't tell them 🤣) I'm always surprised I say yes I'll do it with you 😳 ( not including Willow of course who was the perfect running buddy for three and a half years)
We love your answers SueAppleRun and the fact you inspire people without knowing is testament to who you are. Answer no.2 is so true and so thought provoking 🙏
A belated happy birthday to you GTFC What a great time to reflect on your running journeys! And finding one another!
Well here is my version :
1. To regain control of my fitness and weight in the first lockdown.
2. It has given me too much with regards to both physical and mental health to stop now!
3. I don't really have one. Frustration with the speed of my "comeback" after covid and the annoyance that I have just had to pause my half marathon training plan due to a foot issue when it was going so well.... but no real lows.
4. So many! Always my last achievement or race so currently my last Severn Bridge 10k - not my fastest but soooo enjoyable with the added bonus of VRB meet up.
5. That I am enjoying it and still running over 3 years later. ( and... obviously, these forums_ totally inspirational! )
Corrr! Great answers and all so true 😃 that feeling where you run and it feels so right is absolutely sensational. Love no.5 because it's hidden armour in every run 😃
1 A friend in another part of the country decided she wanted to do Couch to Marathon and set up a virtual C25k. Yes, she made it to London in 12 months 😃
2 To keep fit and meet people since I retired
3 Struggling through last winter’s endless infections
4 Hampton Court Half Marathon with one of my dearest friends a week before lockdown 1 in March 2020. I never ever thought I could run that far and the medal is still my favourite 🤩
5 How much I enjoy it (mostly 😂) and how many new friends I’ve made as a result
It was so touch and go. It was my first half, I had trained hard, was ready, spending a weekend in London with one of my best friends, but there was this frightening virus raising its head. We took the risk and I am so glad we did!
1. I fell onto my back as a result of stepping on slush covering black ice; the result was a spinal fracture…relatively minor, but painful and I couldn’t go anywhere for ages! As I was sitting around whilst the fracture healed, I started to look at activities which would get me out into the fresh air and use the countryside on our door step. Couch to 5 k popped up on google. After some hesitation I downloaded it!
2. Mental and physical health and engagement with so many running buddies actual and virtual. Running keeps me going!
3. I have probably written too much on that topic.
4. Lots of them! Races, PBs, extending distances, meeting lovely people actually and virtually, not forgetting my amazing physios.
5. I was amazed that I could run at all given my starting point physically and my age (66 at the time). Extending pace and distance astonished me too….and I never thought that I would still be running aged 71. I don’t know how long I will be able to keep this up, but I will keep it going for as long as I can. It keeps me feeling young!
What an inspiration you are Beachcomber66 and it was so lovely meeting you at Albert Park. If we can be where you are now then we'll be so fortunate. The fact that you went for it in your answer to no.1 has opened up a whole new world for you 🌎
A very belated happy birthday to you Dean, I hope you had a wonderful day on Sunday.5 questions you have asked
1 :-I started running during the winter months of January and February 2018 when I was out doing long walks and running for a few minutes during these walks, I enjoyed them and officially started C25K on the 18th April 2018 and graduated on 18th June 2018.
2:I have kept running because it keeps me fit, healthy and most of all happy.
3:-There has only been one run that I didn't complete which I intended to run, it was the 3rd January 2021, I wanted to run 10K on the tenth day of Christmas but only managed 5K, it was probably due to eating too much on 1st and 2nd January and also some wine too, I only drink alcohol at Christmas and New year.
4:-I have had several runners highs, meeting you and Natasha at Drumpellier parkrun in August 2022, my first 5K, 10K, ten miles and my first parkrun which was at Dunfermline in July 2019, I also ran a half marathon in November 2022 in memory of the late great Tim (IannodaTruffe), so several running high's.
5:-What's surprised me about running?
Answer - the fact that I can run at all, for the first 3 or 4 weeks of C25K I didn't report back here on this forum as I wasn't sure if I could complete it, however, after completing week 4 I was fairly confident that I would complete the course, which I did without repeating any weeks or runs, I still enjoy running, long may it continue. 😊 🏃🏾✔️☺️
Your answers are why we refer to you as Sir Alan 🤴 the King. It was absolutely wonderful to spend time with you and run together at beautiful Drumpellier. Your HM run was so empowering and so well earned 💚
Thanks Dean, at No. 4 I should of course mentioned my very first runners high as my graduation run of C25K along the promenade at Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland, around 35 miles away from where I live. .
Thank you so much Sandraj39 what an experience and memory your answer to no.4 was 😃 so powerful that it can help with anxiety too. We very much understand this 🙏
I'm not running at the moment, but in answer to your great questions
1) After a lifetime of hating running, and never intending to run for anything - including a bus! - during the first lockdown, in total desperation , to give me an excuse to go outside and to preserve my sanity.
2) For mental and physical well-being, strength, empowerment and resilience.
3) Not being able to run - whatever the reason - as it makes me miserable
4) My first 10k run - my graduation run of the Magic Plan, and the 2020 Virtual Vitality London 10,000. I raised almost £1,000 for one of the Sue Ryder hospices who were caring for my besties Mum until she was hospitalised at the height of the pandemic and sadly contracted Covid and passed away. I felt so privileged to be able to do that.
5) How much I love running. I started c25k hating it. It also surprises me how much more you can achieve than you imagined and that you can learn something new about yourself on every run
🙏 Birdlady64 this made us really think about how running gives us so much back. Raising that money and accomplishing that goal will always be a milestone achievement 💚 sending our love and best wishes.
Happy belated 50th birthday wishes GTFC …I hope you had a good day 🎂 🥳 🎈 loving the fact that you two are still going strong & are hosting this weekly chat…
My 5 reasons are:-
1. Weight loss
2. Addiction!! And I need to get out of my car!!!
3. Losing my mojo every so often..I hate that!! I’m just about to start week 4 again…let’s hope my mojo joins in…
Mummy, mummy caaaaav Mummy, mummy caaaaav!! Always love cheering you on and supporting you. Brilliant answers and we really resonated with no.5. Just absolutely wonderful 🌧 keep on keeping on MC 💚
Brilliant linda9389 just thinking about no.4 gave me goosebumps 😃 I always think that to start it is one thing but to keep going is something so special 🙏
Actually, a close second was my Monsal trail HM where I ran a time that beat the LLHM that we both ran as our first HM. It gave my running a new air of credibility given I'm a 62 year old female and he was a 21 year old young man!!! My self-belief went through the roof after that one 😍 Oops, there's that competitive streak again 🙈
(Of course I beat his time purely because he hadn't trained adequately; but that in turn gives a whole heap of credibility to the discipline that I, along with so many others, apply to our training 😀)
Love it nowster 😃Cromer is such a beautiful place. You've kept consistent too which is so important. We're coming for you one day to meet at a Parkrun 👀 We wish you a happy birthday for this week and hope that you have a really lovely day 🎂 🎈
Ooh, hello! What a great post! And Happy Birthday! Lovely to have you both hosting 😍 Whilst I decide whether to get out of bed or not (it’s 10.07 🤣), it’s definitely time to catch up! So…
1. Why did you start running?
Weight loss and to stop feeling decrepit as I entered my 50’s. I had always wanted to run and now was the time.
2. Why do you keep running?
I like eating and I love the buzz and the community and meeting new people…and…there are just too many things to list!
3. Running low?
A toss up between my achilles tendonitis starting to cause problems and not knowing how to handle it as nothing seemed to help, and after the finish line at the London Marathon (am I allowed to say that?)
4. Running high?
Finishing races and constantly surprising myself, and being asked to be a core team member at our parkrun
5. What's surprised you about running?
My body is much stronger than I or others ever giver or gave it credit for. Never judge a runner by their size, age or gender.
Thanks, I enjoyed doing that! I really should get up but I’m now going to read everyone’s replies 😀
Edit: I’ve just realised, I’ve gone way over the 50 word limit, sorry 😳
Just lovely TailChaser we resonate with lots here. Definitely get no.3 and I think that no.5 is really powerful and so true...and boy do you deserve a breather ⭐🙌
1. Combination of lockdown, being aware that there's a family history of early heart problems, and a friend from school who was a total non-runner, actually hated running with a passion, doing c25k! She ended up not continuing but it was enough to inspire me to start, so I'm glad for her 😊
2. The feeling of accomplishment, and general mental health
3. I stopped running when on accutane for 6 months, because my skin was so sun sensitive
4. Doing 10 miles!
5. That I could actually enjoy it, and this lovely community
Hi Cowladyrunning great to hear from you and what a corker of a Marathon you had!! I love how no. 5 leads into and makes no.4 possible 😃 you'd have never thought you could achieve what you have and that's super special 🙌
1. Because I needed some structure during lockdown
2. My mental health and overall wellbeing
3. Picking up a Soleus injury 4 weeks out from Chicago marathon
4. Crossing the finish line at Chicago, despite my injury
5. That I've been able to come off my Bipolar medication completely, and that my drive for running crossed over into my work and gave me the confidence I needed to aim a bit higher
A MASSIVE thank you everyone who made the time and effort to reply. Each night after work we really looked forward to everyone's responses. Running gives us so much more than just the word. The ripples it gives off to other areas of our lives are what makes it so special. Wishing everyone well. Take great care 🙏😊
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