Gremlins and Faffage Making a Return - Bridge to 10K

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Gremlins and Faffage Making a Return

Razouski profile image
32 Replies

Well the temperature has certainly dropped a bit here, but this wasn't going to put me off running early today. Unfortunately the gremlins had other ideas. They woke me up über early - around 4.30 and turned my tinnitus up to maximum volume which then kept me awake for an hour or more worrying that I would be too tired to run if I didn't get back to sleep soon. Around about 6pm I must have drifted back to sleep, but then those irksome little fellas had me so sound asleep I didn't hear my alarm at 7am, so was shocked into consciousness by hubby shaking me rather vigorously, saying that I should be out running by now.

I'd like to say I leapt out of bed, but that would be a lie. I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, only to be tricked into some weird quick step dance routine - those tiles were pretty chilly on my bare feet. So then it was time to locate my slippers, before heading downstairs to make a quick cuppa, and try and get myself in the mood for running. I was supposed to do a long run on Friday, but work and then a weekend away with friends meant that I still hadn't done it, so there was no room for excuses. I knew I had to get out quickly as I was supposed to be helping a friend set up a stall at the university Fresher's Fair at 10 this morning. As the minutes ticked by on the clock, another pesky fellow sat on my shoulder whispering that I didn't really have time for a long run and surely putting it off for one more day wouldn't matter. I tried to brush him off, but the voice only repeated itself louder this time... in fact this was a no ordinary gremlin... but a life-size fully human one in the guise of Mr Razouski. I guess he thought he was being helpful by suggesting I postpone my run for yet another day. "Get behind me satan!" my inner resolve kicked in somehow.

I was going to do this run and do it soon, so that I would be back and ready for action at the uni. But the ambient temperature required a different set of running apparel to that which I've been used to over the past few months. So there I was careering round the bedroom like a mad thing. Who needs an upper body workout when you spend the next ten minutes pulling out drawers, throwing clothes into the air with gay abandon, and scrabbling around in the box under the bed where you suddenly remember you stored your long leggings and other disused running clobber.

Eventually found a pair of long leggings - and managed to squeeze my reluctant calves into them. How helpful is compression clothing when you're in a rush? Not at all. Then of course I needed to find the top that would co-ordinate. "Really?" said hubby, amazed at the palaver. Next to take the tags off the new light weight jacket I'd found in TKMax a few weeks ago.

The faffing had started. During the summer when all that was needed was a pair of shorts, vest and belt to put my phone in, I had forgotten all about this dreadful affliction, but it all came back to me this morning. I stuck my nose out of the front door, and decided that I wouldn't need a buff but I might want my gloves, so then a scrabble around the coat cupboard eventually enabled me to locate not just one, but two running gloves.

By the time I had my socks and running shoes on I was pretty exhausted, but still went through the routine of dynamic stretching before, at last, setting out through the door for my warm up walk. Probably not necessary, but I'm a creature of habit.

5 minutes into the run the gremlins were back, pulling my laces so tight that I was in danger of loosing circulation to my feet, and running with gangrene is probably not ideal when you're training for a half marathon, I'm guessing. Much better to stop and loosen them... and then I was off again. Once I got onto the cycleway I seemed to settle into a rhythm, and before long I had a pheasant running alongside me at the otherwise of the fence, stopping when she got ahead of me until I came level, the running off again. It was as if she was deliberately pacing me.

Then as I turned a corner the railings running alongside the railway combined with the low hanging sun to create a flickering effect as I ran along. Now my balance is compromised very easily, so having the sensation of running in a zoetrope wasn't doing me any favours. I was determined not to fall over, and did my best to shield my eyes using my hands like blinkers while staggering around in the most ungainly manner. No wonder a passing cyclist gave me a very wide berth as he passed, and looked back over his shoulder to check if he had really just seen a drunken woman so early in the morning.

I wasn't to be put off and kept on, knowing that soon I'd be in the shade, and that by 11km I would be able to turn back, and the sun would then no longer be shining in my face.

I survived and managed to run my intended 16km distance, and as I reached for my phone to switch off mammy run I noticed a new text message had appeared. "Don't worry about coming along this morning to set up, I have plenty of help and have put you on a 1pm stint to give you plenty of time for your run." this from the woman, who was supposed to be my friend. Why couldn't she have shared this information first thing this morning, or better still last night???

Still at least I've got my run in the bag and I was happy with 16km in 1 hour 30minutes and 30 seconds. So I've had a leisurely shower and am now going to sort out my running kick to try and minimise the faffage next time.

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Razouski profile image
Razouski
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32 Replies
SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

That distance at that pace? I might try a bit of faffing myself.

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toSlowLoris

Thanks SlowLoris, but I wouldn’t recommend all that faffing as it makes me look demented! 🤪

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris in reply toRazouski

I'll just stick to the coffee then. Shame though when I have so much expertise close at hand. Madame Loris achieved a faffing 'Blue' back when she was graduating with a 2.1 in Henpecking.

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toSlowLoris

😂😂😂

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toRazouski

I had the Queen of Faffing title last winter, although it was closely contested by several others in the forum. 👑

David_G profile image
David_G

Wow! 😳 That’s a great pace for that distance. 🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

Yes, I guess we all need to pack away the summer running gear now and get the winter stuff out 🙂

Well done for getting through it, despite the best efforts of the gremlins! 👍

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toDavid_G

Thanks David, I’m not going to put my summer stuff too far out of reach, just in case we get another hot spell.

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

Can I buy the film rights please? 🎥

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toUpTheStanley

Only if I can choose who plays me. I’m thinking maybe Halle Berry would like the role and George Clooney would make a good Mr Razouski. Can we have CGI gremlins?

Tinker5393 profile image
Tinker5393Graduate10

Great post , wonder woman popped into my head while reading it, you could just spin and change your clothes .👸

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toTinker5393

That would be so much easier than careering idiotically around the house looking for my stuff.

The gremlins are certainly around. they had me at their mercy all week, especially with the colder weather.

But you did it, and you ran 16k faster than I've ever run 10!

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply to

Thanks Flik, at least the colder weather means I’m not struggling as I did in the heat and not so sweaty! Just need to get myself a bit more organised. 😀

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10

Hilarious ...did you edit out the swearing or are you just a well brought up girl?!!!

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toEmpem

😂😂😂 I think I was too tired to draw on my rich and varied vocabulary.

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherGraduate10

Fab time - well on course for a sub 2hr HM Razouski! I need to invest in some colder weather running gear so I can join in the faffing too 😂

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply topianoteacher

Oh you’ll love a bit of faffage. Last winter sometimes I spent longer faffing than actually running! 😂😂😂

My target is to do it in under 2 and a half hours. I think sub 2 would be a bit of a challenge! 🙃

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

16km - wow. You’ll do great in that HM. A great post Razouski. And lots of sorting out of running gear after that I suspect.

🏃‍♀️👚👕👖👟🧦🧤🧣

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toDexy5

I’m planning a bit of a sort out tomorrow. Some things to put away 🏃🏾‍♀️👙🕶 and some to get out 👚👖👟🧦🧤🧣🌂

😂😂😂

CarolineLou71 profile image
CarolineLou71

Oh, the dance moves and the faffing! 😂 Great read, very inspiring, thx. Glad you had a good run after all that too.

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toCarolineLou71

💃🏾You won’t see moves like mine on Strictly, that’s certain. 😀

Dizzysmum17 profile image
Dizzysmum17Graduate10

Hehe loved reading this! And a great run in a great time despite all the set backs! 😍🏃‍♀️X

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toDizzysmum17

Thanks, Dizzysmum. It was actually good to be running 🏃🏾‍♀️ in cooler weather even if it did lead to a lot of pre-run commotion.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Oh Razouski , I have visions of a banshee in the bedroom!! Faffage is such a good one for those pesky gremlins to throw at us coz once we start to faff time can fly by and we can easily think we’ve run out of time!! But, this banshee wasn’t going to be gremlined! Well done for being a determined banshee on a mission to get out of the door...great distance & time, hope you had a bit more of a leisurely day & a word with your friend, nice of her to let you know but maybe 12 hours before??!! Lol x 😩

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toMummycav

Thanks Mummycav , and your mention of a banshee has me thinking that I need some Siouxsie and the Banshees in one of my play lists.

Today I've had a gentle upper body workout at the gym followed by a swim and a sauna, so hopefully my legs will be well rested before I run again tomorrow. And I shall try and get my kit ready tonight to avoid any more whirling around the house.

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

What is it with these human sized Gremlins taking on the form of our husbands?!? If I mention at all that I'm not feeling like going for my run (but knowing I really need to and will feel great once I get out and past the Toxic 10), my husband is very quick to pipe up to not go, take another day off. Grrr, not the push in the right direction. Great run despite lots of faffage (or perhaps because of the faffage 😆). It's going to take a bit to get back to remembering what to wear in Cold weather running and getting out the door quickly!

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toSaskAlliecat

I think we may need to train our hubbies, so that when we say we don't want to go out, they give us a metaphorical kick up the backside to get us out the door. 😂😂😂

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

Faffage or not, gremlins or not, that was a cracking run! Well done :D Hope the rest of the day was a little less stressful

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply tolinda9389

Thanks linda9389 , the rest of the day was good, and the Fresher's Fair was quite fun - we were plugging our choir and hoping to get some students to come and join. WE also got free krispy creme doughnuts from an Amazon Prime stall and chocolates from another, so it was a good way of replenishing my energy levels. :-)

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply toRazouski

Ooh very nice - and guilt free after that run too :D

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

Fantastic Razouski!! Sounds a lot like my day, minus the 16k mind! 😂 I want a pheasant running with me too! 🤩....Jel! Well done you!! 😁❤️

Razouski profile image
Razouski in reply toFabulous450

It was strange as there were actually a lot of pheasants along my route that morning. I'll be having a more urban route today I think, so just cars, buses and pedestrians I think.

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