Catharsis......

[SaskAlliecat]

After a week of extreme stress resulting in very little sleep, very poor nutrition and more coffee than water consumed, I put back on my running shoes and headed to my favourite city pathway. My motivation was low, but I knew I had 8 hours all to myself before I was back on call and the chaos would ensue. I didn't set a specific distance or time into my Runkeeper, just kept it as a free run. When I did that on my last run, I barely managed 5k, but today the sun was shining and there was no wind and this is an out and back route so harder to quit early. In the back of my mind, I hoped for another 10k but didn't want to commit to it and end up disappointed if I didn't succeed. I was able to turn my mind off and get lost in my music. I didn't have it in me today to sing out loud so ended up running faster than conversational pace but was careful to not huff and puff. I ran my 10k and it was wonderful and peaceful. Unfortunately work started texting me on my cool down walk and I set my car alarm off since my key fob battery died so my relaxed state was short lived. But after going out for a belated birthday lunch with my previous running partner, I'd say I'm back in my state of bliss......at least for 3 more hours when I'm back on call ......

Thank you running shoes, you always know what I need ......

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Yeah! That's brilliant Sask 😀... sorry your week has been so busy, and great idea not planning on the distance, you just let it happen....I'm thrilled for you for being able to pull out another 10k like that.😊

Bask in the glory of your fabulousness😊.Good work.x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, you're too kind 😊

I'm channelling my inner cat right now, basking in the sun on the couch with my feet up 😸💕☀️

[pollyp1 Graduate10]

Sounds great - and I might just steal your idea of an inner cat. Ours is curled up on a chair by the radiator: her new favourite spot now that the temperature had dropped.

Yay for running.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to pollyp1]

Ah, the life of a cat. I hope to come back as a spoiled rotten house cat in my next life 😸🐈.....

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that you have had a busy, stressful week but glad that you found some peace while running 😊 well done for doing 10k, great

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Should hopefully be on the homeward stretch now. Just got back in from another call and haven't looked to see what's on the books next week but at least I have a week without call and can hopefully eek out some more me time on my days off

[Millsie-J]

Great that you got out, and sounds a grand run!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

It really was a wonderful run. It still amazes me that in such a short time, we can go from huffing and puffing through 5 or 8 minute intervals to running just over an hour without feeling overly taxed. The body and these programmes really are amazing. We just need the mental strength to push through the tough times and the rewards will follow.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Lovely post. And you are so right. No matter what else is going on in our lives we can always rely on how our running makes us feel. I hope you have a better week 🙂

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks. I hope so too. But if not, I will still force myself to get out that door and get a run in. It made such a difference in preparing me mentally for this weekend.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

Running is me-time, anti-stress and health all in one. Sorry things are so stressful at the moment - but the running sounds brilliant!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Yup, you really summed it up. It is the perfect trifecta. Now to keep at it when the going (and weather) gets tough

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Aw, so sorry to hear you had a rough week, Sask. But happy that your good long run was so lovely! You deserved that. I have not run in a week because of a virus of some kind, and am longing to feel well enough to get out again!

Belated happy birthday! 🎂🥂

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Hope you're feeling well enough to get out soon. Illness sucks, especially when it hampers our running!!!Thanks for the bday wish 😊

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. 😘

[misswobble Graduate10]

Poor nutrition! Nooooooh, please no. Don’t go there 😫

I hope you can get back on an even keel soon Running is fantastic outlet and antidote to all that drives us mad 😃🏃‍♀️💪👍✔️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I wish I could say I was at least eating yummy chocolate and Christmas baking but unfortunately when I get super stressed I struggle with eating anything at all. Throw in there a wicked work schedule where there isn't time to pee, let alone eat or drink, makes for an unhappy Allie. Oh well. One more day of call, then it is back to just a normal day to day chaos and hopefully a few more "me" runs

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

That sounds so positive, and being on call is pants. I did it lots in my old job and I was always on edge!!!! Well done 😎

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

It definitely does create an edge. Even trying to watch tv when I get home to relax, when you hear a cell phone ring, the heart rate and blood pressure goes up. Oh well, it is a necessary evil. Fortunately, I have wonderful outlets for when I'm not on call and after today, I get a week with out call. Whoohoo!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10]

On calls are dreadful - I feel for you. Well done on a great run, glad it helped you a little, and hope you have a better week ahead.

[Decker]

I don't know how I missed this post but I hope the stress is running at a more manageable pace this week Sask. Glad the run got you where you needed to be for awhile. I swear its part of my mental health program now :).

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. This week is a little better so far. Work stress is high as usual, but at least the extra stuff that was throwing it over the top last week has subsided some. I managed to get out for a nice 5k run this morning in some freshly fallen snow where each km got faster and faster. I was in my groove by 4K and wished I could've went past 5 but had to get home and get cleaned up and eat before my Physio appointment. The icing on the cake though, is the supper I've got going in the crockpot for tonight called for wine in the sauce so I'm going to treat myself with a glass of wine with supper tonight since I'm not on call. Ahhhh, it's the little things that make me happy 🏃‍♀️🍷😊

[Decker in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Happy to hear the stress has subsided a little and your run went well. And of course wine fixes so many problems! Yes, the little things