Wow, how to start tonight's blog? This last one. This ending of something that has been so momentous for me. Not alone have I completed the C25K programme but I have now participated in and completed my first official run of 4 miles (6.5k).
We did a couple of runs the week before the Fota event. One 4 miler with a 3 minute walk in the middle and a 2 mile run at a bit faster pace. As race day dawned I hadn't actually run 4 miles without stopping. This fact didn't bother me excessively and any apprehension was overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the occasion. My super - thoughtful daughter / trainer Abbie added to the bouyant atmosphere by giving me two gifts: a diary in which I can log my future runs and a Tee - shirt that says 'Opt In' in large lime green letters on the back.
The weather was overcast but dry as we met met my personal 'support team' at the entrance. My mum, my dad and his partner and my 5 year old son were there to cheer me on (or get the laugh of a lifetime) They joked nervously about the run, while Abbie, my husband Adrian and I pinned on our numbers. We left them close to the finish line and walked down to the start.
I was in no way prepared for the volume of participants. As we stood in our estimated time zone (45 - 50 minutes) we were completely hemmed in. It was an odd sensation after the last 10 weeks of just Abbie and I running together. After a few minutes the group began to break up a bit and I found my stride and breath and began to settle into the run.
The course is around a wildlife park, arboretum and gardens. It is generally flat with a few shortish up hill sections and gentler downhill stretches. First section is a 1 mile route around the wildlife park which flew past. The second section is 2 miles through the park & gardens. This is my generally dreaded middle section, however, I found myself feeling good after 2 miles and settling into my zone after 3 miles - I was on the home stretch! The final section is around the wild life park again and with great encouragement from Abbie & Adrian we stuck to our 11 minute mile pace.
Around 500 yards before the finish we met the short steep hill by the Cheetah enclosure for the second time. The first time round we laughed at the top of it with a 'phew - that was steep' kinda joke. The second time I had over 3.5 miles under my belt and the pain in my thighs reached a whole new level.
This was the point I hadn't reached since I began this journey on the 1st March. I had battled with my brain so much more than my body. I thought I had experienced pain but wow, this was so far beyond that point. It was as if my thighs were made of lead and on fire at the same time! I could see Abbie and Adrian ahead of me and hear them calling me, but suddenly from behind, came a completely unknown voice saying - 'come on Sara! You can do it!' (A friend of a friend had recognised my Tee - Shirt) and I don't know if it was the surprise, the encouragement, or the downright big - headedness of not letting myself down but I got up that hill.
The emotion was phenomenal and maybe it's a really stupid thing for a blogger to say but... it was too personal to describe. The finish was a short flat stretch away and almost immediately I could hear 'the support team' calling my name. So finish I did, in the better than expected time of 44:20.
10 weeks ago I had never run any distance, ever. I hadn't exercised in around 5 years and was unfit, overweight and fed up, opting out of more and more. Too young to give up but feeling too old to try anything new.
C25k has changed so much of that for me. In 10 weeks I have learned that I am physically capable of so much more than I gave myself credit for. I have risen to the challenge and built the ability to run 5k in 8 weeks and completed 6.5k in 10 weeks and what's more is I will continue to run.... because I WANT to.
I also want to do more. Who knows what that could be? The possibilites are endless. One thing is for sure I will NEVER opt out again. I will never miss out on an experience because I'm not up for the challenge. I'm Opting In to life, for life!
Before!
After!
Thanks to one and all for the support. Huge thanks to Abbie, who will never miss an opportunity due to her unfailing can - do attitude. I'm one proud mum.
We did a couple of runs the week before the Fota event. One 4 miler with a 3 minute walk in the middle and a 2 mile run at a bit faster pace. As race day dawned I hadn't actually run 4 miles without stopping. This fact didn't bother me excessively and any apprehension was overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the occasion. My super - thoughtful daughter / trainer Abbie added to the bouyant atmosphere by giving me two gifts: a diary in which I can log my future runs and a Tee - shirt that says 'Opt In' in large lime green letters on the back.
The weather was overcast but dry as we met met my personal 'support team' at the entrance. My mum, my dad and his partner and my 5 year old son were there to cheer me on (or get the laugh of a lifetime) They joked nervously about the run, while Abbie, my husband Adrian and I pinned on our numbers. We left them close to the finish line and walked down to the start.
I was in no way prepared for the volume of participants. As we stood in our estimated time zone (45 - 50 minutes) we were completely hemmed in. It was an odd sensation after the last 10 weeks of just Abbie and I running together. After a few minutes the group began to break up a bit and I found my stride and breath and began to settle into the run.
The course is around a wildlife park, arboretum and gardens. It is generally flat with a few shortish up hill sections and gentler downhill stretches. First section is a 1 mile route around the wildlife park which flew past. The second section is 2 miles through the park & gardens. This is my generally dreaded middle section, however, I found myself feeling good after 2 miles and settling into my zone after 3 miles - I was on the home stretch! The final section is around the wild life park again and with great encouragement from Abbie & Adrian we stuck to our 11 minute mile pace.
Around 500 yards before the finish we met the short steep hill by the Cheetah enclosure for the second time. The first time round we laughed at the top of it with a 'phew - that was steep' kinda joke. The second time I had over 3.5 miles under my belt and the pain in my thighs reached a whole new level.
This was the point I hadn't reached since I began this journey on the 1st March. I had battled with my brain so much more than my body. I thought I had experienced pain but wow, this was so far beyond that point. It was as if my thighs were made of lead and on fire at the same time! I could see Abbie and Adrian ahead of me and hear them calling me, but suddenly from behind, came a completely unknown voice saying - 'come on Sara! You can do it!' (A friend of a friend had recognised my Tee - Shirt) and I don't know if it was the surprise, the encouragement, or the downright big - headedness of not letting myself down but I got up that hill.
The emotion was phenomenal and maybe it's a really stupid thing for a blogger to say but... it was too personal to describe. The finish was a short flat stretch away and almost immediately I could hear 'the support team' calling my name. So finish I did, in the better than expected time of 44:20.
10 weeks ago I had never run any distance, ever. I hadn't exercised in around 5 years and was unfit, overweight and fed up, opting out of more and more. Too young to give up but feeling too old to try anything new.
C25k has changed so much of that for me. In 10 weeks I have learned that I am physically capable of so much more than I gave myself credit for. I have risen to the challenge and built the ability to run 5k in 8 weeks and completed 6.5k in 10 weeks and what's more is I will continue to run.... because I WANT to.
I also want to do more. Who knows what that could be? The possibilites are endless. One thing is for sure I will NEVER opt out again. I will never miss out on an experience because I'm not up for the challenge. I'm Opting In to life, for life!
After!
Thanks to one and all for the support. Huge thanks to Abbie, who will never miss an opportunity due to her unfailing can - do attitude. I'm one proud mum.
