Also, are you flying off grass? If your wheels are too small, your already having to fight to get any speed up. Your engine does not sound like it is coming up to a good RPM. Hopefully, you had another person out there with you. Accidents do happen, and as a new solo pilot, you might be a lot (not just a little) nervous. I never fly alone, even after 17 years, just in case. After my 4 stoke threw a prop this weekend - the prop nut went about a hundred feet out on the runway, the prop only followed a few feet short, I'm just glad that I was standing behind the plane. Before I flew again, I 'd have an experianced club member help you tune teh engine.