The last month of 2017 has arrived and I am in full self-sabotage mode. I don't think I've ever eaten so much chocolate, I go to bed too late every evening (thus reducing willpower to resist said chocolate) and last weekend I actually couldn't be bothered to go for my weekend run. THAT hasn't happened in a very long time. So I'm feeling well-disgusted at myself.
But today, well rested and slightly more forgiving I took a step back and pondered on 2017. After a bad start I have run just over 1100 km with a month to go. My initial goal was 1,000 and I upped it to 1200 (that's 100 a month!) when it was clear that it was possible. Since March I have run an average of 110 km a month. In December 2016 I covered 100k for the first time - and I was absolutely wrecked afterwards! Now it is no problem (although it still takes some planning). So big improvement on last year.
I run 4x a week and I haven't had a cold or illness since I started that pattern in Feb. That's got to be good!
After my cop-out last weekend I ran 6k 3x mid-week. And they were great runs. No aches or pains, no tiredness, no stiffness. I couldn't do 3 runs like that in one week last year. And the long one is still to come tomorrow.
Since March I have well and truly conquered 10k. It really is no problem now and I can throw in 12 and 13ks as longer runs without any problems. Anything longer takes a bit more grit, planning (not to mention time!) and dedication. But that is a huge improvement on last year.
I always crave chocolate and carbs at this time of year. Despite my piggery I am still a tad lighter than December 2016. So if I get a grip all is not lost. Plus I bought some new jeans today and I'm still 2 sizes down from when I started this journey.
So I think 2017 has really turned me into a runner.
But I've never run a race (except virtual ones). I've only ever run with one other person. I am pretty slow, probably even slower than 2016. I can't see vast improvement there. There is still a lot of work ahead of me!
Happy running, folks - and thanks for reading my musings!
Written by
JaySeeSkinny
Graduate10
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You have had a brilliant running year jaysee😊...giving into your choc craving is allowed..you won't let it become the norm because the new you is a person who runs..who wants to run...who loves running.😎
I think that 3 x 6k this week makes up for your treat and that your running record is awesome. You should be proud of yourself for all you have acheived this year.
Well done on your weightloss and keeping it off too...
I would like to see some improvement! Maybe that's my challenge for the new year.
You should be proud of your running journey and it is great to see your improvements. We all stumble off the pavement at times so pick yourself up and get going again. You know what you need to do and you will. Perhaps you can see some new running goals for 2018 😉
Just reading all that - you are amazing! Everything you've just written is incredibly inspirational to someone like me, just about to start Juju's 10k plan. You are being far too hard on yourself. I've just eaten a bag of Munchies if that makes you feel any better! It was naughty mistake but it doesn't happen very often, so I just have to put it down to blip my willpower and tomorrow is another day Everything you've achieved since you've started is really great - as are you!
You know that you are an inspiration to me and the fact that you like chocolate does not alter that.. ( I, as you knew don't like choccy, but love cheese
You have covered some kilometres!!! And... covering a fair whack now!!!
Lone running is great... except for the forum friends who accompany us on our runs... and as you know very well also, slow is my most favourite speed...so, kindred spirit... in my book.. you are darn well, awesome!
You sound to me like you are one of these "one speed" runners??? But obviously , IF you were to run in races of differing lengths , then you would run each race at a different pace - the shorter the race, the faster the pace. This is one way you can improve your running even when training - especially once you can quite easily run (say) a 10K at a moderately slow pace. Run some 200,400,800 metres runs as fast as you can and rest inbetween - also repeat 1K's and 1 miles - 4 or 5x1 mile repeats at your average 5K pace will sort you out nicely!!
A good friend of mine who was a "reformed" alcoholic once told me that there is such a thing as the "addictive personality" - note that some people seem to have no "addictions" to anything - whereas others go from one to the next??? He claimed that these kind of personalities cannot do anything about this flaw except to replace a bad addiction with a good one. That has always made sense to me - so perhaps the next time you are tempted by a bar of chocolate, put on your walking shoes and get out the door - you already do enough running
There are elements of an addictive personality in me I must admit. Which I fight against. I hope this chocolate thing is just a blip - and triggered by the winter weather. Running instead of chocolate is not really practical as it tends to happen at work or when walking back from work or out shopping. I'll just have to use willpower!
I think you deserve some treats and slow time JSS. Perhaps it's your body saying, "this is what I need now". Extra fuel for colder months and all that 🙂
Enjoy the time and congratulate yourself on a great running year 🍾🎉🎈🏃🏃🏃
Well done! It makes sense to review your achievements and it puts your recent chocfest into perspective
I keep a bar if Good dark choc in the house, hidden from OH, and when I want some I have it grated over my fruit and yogurt, or on my homemade rice pud. It might only be 4 grams but it satisfies the “I must have chocolate” thing. It’s about quality not quantity 🙂
Dark choc is actually good for us but not in bulk 😃
What a fantastic year! Great to review your achievements, and look at how far you've come. Yes, okay, you're having a blip at the moment, but you recognise it, and in the grand scheme of things, it is just that - a blip. Go you!
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck. If you apply the same reasoning you are definitely, not just probably, a runner.
Even if you run like a duck. (I'm sure you don't.)
Sounds like a fantastic year of running to me! Well done! As for December blips - I am feeling very 'weak' around chocolate and mince pies already and am also up far to late! Time for me to become a little more disciplined, I think!😉
Nothing to feel guilty about! The running will be burning off the extra calories you are consuming. And well done for being able to run 10k easily! I've never had the motivation to do it more than a couple of times!
I've gone the other way personally. I hardly run at all now. Maybe once a week now if even that. I dance a few times a week for 3 or 4 hours each night, I find it more fun and more sociable.
I do feel a bit guilty about not running much anymore, but when I do go out for a run or on the mill of dread I'm pleasantly surprised that my fitness is still there though and I make sure that I do at least half an hour. I don't want to go back to being unfit ever again...
Chocolate is fine, in moderation, as is alcohol, crisps, the occasional takeaway, etc etc.
So don't feel guilty, you're probably doing more running than a lot of us. And well done again!
I know the chocolate doesn’t do me any good in the long run - hence the guilt. You sound as if you’ve found the balance for exercise you enjoy - well done!
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Everything you've achieved since you've started is really great - as are you!
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
week 2 begins! 
