I really didn't know what I was thinking earlier this year when I convinced myself I wanted to do C25k. I was 66, nearing 67. I hadn't run for probably the best part of 35 years and that more begrudgingly than intended. However I do play golf 2 or 3 times a week. Armed with a pair of trainer style golfing shoes (replaced once home from hols and probably the cause of early achilles tendon difficulties) I started whilst on probably the hilliest holiday I could have chosen 😂 The app didn't work properly so the 1st session lasted 80 mins not 40 😂. I then changed to the podcasts and everything was good.
Then achilles tendon and hamstring problems. A sports massage and a lot of advice from the therapist, including compression socks, showing me what the 2 extra holes on my running shoes were for and sorbothane heel wedges.
So 13 weeks later after learning that: -
1. saying 'morning' every couple of 100 metres does not constitute conversation.
2. Strava never records your run properly when you know you've done a good one.
3. Not all dog owners are considerate and wheel their dogs in when a runner (or anyone else for that matter) approaches. 3 near falls, twice by the same dog.
4. Once you thread your laces properly there's not enough lace left to tie a double bow.
5. You can use the old reef knot you learned in the Cubs to tie your shoes up with.
6. Sarah Millican tells no jokes when providing commentary on the C25k app.
7. Listen to your body.
8. Ask for advice.
9. Listen to advice when it comes from a reputable source or forum.
Now as I enter the month of my 67th birthday I would like to give thank yous to everyone here or elsewhere that has encouraged, advised and supported me on this journey but not my golfing friends who are still rolling around on the floor when they found out what I was up to, and an old football friend I crossed with whilst jogging who then said to me (expletives removed) 'what the *** are you doing out jogging I'm a bit old for it but you're really old'. Big thanks to Tasha my daughter who ran with me several times especially when I was procrastinating, Charlie Jones sports therapist, the NHS app and Laura and the music (it'll be Nickelback from now on). Oh and obviously my wife who believe it or not got out of bed to wave me off on my brisk walk when I left the house at 7am in the morning. I'm not sure what the piece of paper she was holding in her non-waving hand was.
Cheers
OldManRunning
PS. This was the lovely sunrise that welcomed me as I finished my run.
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OldManRunning
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Great post from you OMR, that's not nice of your golfing and football friends saying that you are too old to run, nasty, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement with your wife and daughter who supported you during those 13 weeks.
HUGE congratulations to you Old Man! (I am allowed to say that because I am a really, really Old Woman)!
You have done brilliantly and what a terrific post for a terrific run to the Graduation Podium! A great list of things you have learned on your running path to here...you did miss one off though.... and that is the one that states that you have learned how STRONG you are.
Very, very well done...it was a joy to present you with your badge. The only way now? Onward, ever onward!
My parents used to annoy me by saying “well done, but what next?”
It was a good question though! I am 70 now, and was 66 years and 6 months when I graduated. I decided that distance was a better bet than pace as a way forward at my age. Using the plans on Bridge to 10k and Marathon forums, extending distance was surprisingly straightforward. I speeded up a bit too, but overdoing that increases the injury risk. So, your golfing mate is plain wrong; you can go as far as you want to with this. Have fun.👍
Yes but no 😅 I want to run it with my running daughter as she supported me but the nearest date will be December due to holidays and life. I suppose I could go to another town and do one so I don't feel like I'm cheating her 😂
Contrary to what I said to Chinkoflight above, I'm parkrunning with my daughter on Saturday as our diaries both freed up 😁. But I think after that I'll just do some consolidating then maybe a 10k in a few months 😁
Ah what a great post 😊. I am so pleased for you and your splendid achievement! I find holiday runs, especially if they’re near a beach, usually have a few nasty hills in them! Congratulations 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆.
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