Bliss

[Sadie-runs]

Hi lovely running fiends 👹

Since my wobble a week or so ago, I have tried some new things. Running with Nike + Headspace, a 40 min run with Paula Radcliffe (on Nike +, not in person, obvs), running the entire length of The Sugarcubes debut album, have slowed down a bit, and not focussed on doing long distances. The result? I truly feel I am running “in the moment”. I feel relaxed, happy, strong again. After the run I am feeling energised rather than shattered. Happy, rather than self-critical, and the endorphins have come back. I am going to continue this on my weekday runs, with slightly longer, relaxed runs on the weekend when I feel ready for it.

It’s always good to remind ourselves why we run, and for me, that is because I enjoy it.

Ran at dawn today and the presence of the moon in the dusky blue sky filled me with pure joy, as did the flock of noisy geese that did a fly-by at the end of my run.

Happy running, all.

Sadie-runs xxx

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10]

Yay, you have your mojo back baby!!!!

Lovely write up xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Thanks Mitch! It was only gone a short while, but I missed it so. 😘

[David_G]

Sounds like a great run Sadie. 👍😀 It seems you’re back in love with running 🏃‍♀️ again, which is great news. 🙂 Sometimes we see things when we’re running that we could see or care about otherwise, like your 🦆 friends this morning. It must have been great to be out there enjoying nature.

Good luck with your next outing!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Thank you David, it truly was. I think I am on a second honeymoon with running. Do you know John Bingham? He says the most perfect things (that resonate with me) about running. A friend of mine sent me this one when I was feeling a bit low:

“It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination.” John Bingham

Perfect, eh?

Hope all is well with you. x

[David_G in reply to Sadie-runs]

Yes, that quote works for me and how I feel about it all! 👍

I’m preparing for my first event on Sunday - a 5 mile/8K cross country run in sunny Croydon 🏃‍♂️🤞

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Enjoy your very first race, and do report back! (Is there much "country" in Croydon?!) x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Great to see the old Sadie back again. Wasn't that harvest beautiful?

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks, dear Dexy. It was magical! I had one of those truly happy to be alive moments today on my run. x

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

That was meant to say harvest moon by the way 😬

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Don’t worry, I knew that’s what you meant, Dexy. 😘 🌝

[Hidden]

What a lovely run, and love the pic. I had the moon too, and the sun opposite it, on my run. and I too run because I enjoy it. It's so easy to get caught up in the runners' hype that assaults us from every direction, from the shoe we buy, the books and articles we read, to posts from our fellow runners.

Talking of buy: I hope you enjoyed your visit to retail running nirvana. xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you lovely Flick. Yes, you are so right about getting caught up in the things that don't matter the most. Recognising that, and letting go, has been revolutionary for me. x

I had a browse of shoes, but decided I would be okay with my Flyers for now…(but did get some lovely new long running tights for the cold mornings). xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Ooh, did you get an exciting shade of black? Actually I have three pairs of black leggings - gasp! i wear them with coloured tops. In fact i like black a lot. xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

LOL! You know I love to run ninja style, so yes, they are black. But controversially, they have some pink reflector zig-zags on the lower front leg. That's quite enough colour for me! xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Goodness, pink strips! steady on girl xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

In my defence, my Runderwear is magenta pink. xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

I love that colour. But nobody is going to see your pants - are they??? 😳

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know they are there, and that’s all that matters to me. 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Great stuff! Love that quote too...

Happy running Sadie.😊xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you dear Jan! I feel like I have had a bit of an epiphany! xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Sounds perfect Sadie, I'm so glad you're back in joyful land again 🤗

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Amazing what a slight shift of thinking can do for your running, eh? So happy. xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Sadie,

It gives me so much joy to read this, it really does. I knew your mojo was in there somewhere, you just had to find it, and you have! I haven't really got anything to add or anything wise to say, because I think you've said it all.

I've also decided that I really need to stop putting pressure on myself and just run for the love of it. My last two runs have been with that mindset, and what a difference it makes.

I'm so thrilled you're enjoying it again, and I'm also so thankful that you're being honest enough to share your struggles.

Take care, best running buddy xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Aw, thank you dear Neil. 😘 When you think about it, we had a summer of goals and pushing ourselves (and in the heat, too!), so let’s use Autumn to regroup, collect ourselves, run for the pure unadulterated pleasure, until the urge bites us to aim for something new! My running feels all very zen right now, and I am enjoying this. Glad you are enjoying some happy runs too my best running pal! xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Lol! I now have this mental image of you sitting cross-legged, hovering about a foot off the ground meditating all whilst wizzing round your local park 😂

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yup, that’s pretty much how it feels. Seriously, I float more than run now. 😂

[Schofield]

That’s an amazing post and some great tips that I’ll be mindful of going forwards... I’ve had a few bad runs recently, focussed to much on pace and time rather than enjoying it

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Schofield]

Thank you! God, there is so much to learn about running; one year on and I am still discovering new things. It’s hard, but the trick is to know when to push, and when to not push. And that’s hard. It is all too easy to get fixated with constant improvement and PBs and the danger with that is that you can stop listening to your body (and mind). No doubt I will need a fresh goal again soon, and will need to challenge myself, and I will be ready for it. Never be afraid of taking a few runs to just enjoy now and again, Schofield, especially if you have had consecutive runs that haven’t felt so good. We have to take care of our mojo as well as our bodies. 😁 xx

[Razouski]

That sounds like you’ve rediscovered your mojo. It’s horrid when you loose it but such a great feeling when it comes back. A bit like the prodigal son. 😀

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

It was only a week of missing mojo, but enough to kick me into action to do something! xx

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Fab! That sounds like a great run - it is great to find that happy place ( I know I did on my weekend long run). I love the sound of the Nike + Paula Radcliffe run - where can I find this? 🙂

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

It was lovely, Sandra! The guided run with Paula can be found on the Nike + Run Club app - which is free! She just talks through her career with a running coach, and together they talk you through a 40 min run. It’s a nice distraction and inspiring. x

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie - that sounds fab. I like Paula Radcliffe. I might download it for my weekend 10k! 🙂👍x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Sounds perfect 😊

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

‘Twas. 😁

[Sarakc Graduate10]

What a lovely positive post and I’m so glad you’re enjoying your running again! Long may it continue! I think it’s all too easy to get stressed with speed and distances etc( I know I do a bit even when I know I shouldn’t) I might try that app you mentioned!!

Beautiful pic too ! 😀🏃‍♀️👍

Ps!! I get excited when I see geese flying!!!!!😂

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Sarakc]

Thanks dear Sara. And flying, honking geese always make me laugh out loud! xxx

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I remember embarrassing my daughter when I stopped and pointed up saying ooh look geese! geese! like an excited child! I still do it every time!!!😂

[CatMo13]

Great post and pic. Please enlighten me what is Nike + headspace with Paula?!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to CatMo13]

Thanks! Nike + Run Club is a free running app. Headspace guides runs (a type of meditation) and the Paula guided runs are two separate runs on the app (amongst loads of others). All worth a try! I loved the Headspace runs. x

[CatMo13 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Wow that needed explaining to me 🤪 thank you ! Just in wk 9 so will look into this for further along 😁

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

Yay! So pleased to read you are feeling better and found a new happy running ‘zone’. I see from Strava you’re doing brilliantly but with just stats it’s hard to see where our heads are at. Better a happy runner than one defined by stats alone. Xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks lovely Alka. I haven’t really adjusted my running routine too much, just changed my mindset. Running seems to be as much in the mind as it is of the body it seems...I am just not trying to push at the moment, and focus more on how I feel. And that has been liberating! I know I will want to push to improve again soon, but for now I am really enjoying my maintenance runs, and simply, the joy of being able to run! My head is definitely in a much better place. 😊 How are things with you my lovely? xxx

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Lovely. I’m good thanks. Have my 1st 10k Race on 6 Oct so taking it easy till then. Don’t want any more injuries! Then think I’ll embark on a slow HM plan. 😏 See how I feel after the 10k. Take care Sadie. xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Slow and steady, good work! Hope you really enjoy your 1st 10km race, am sure it will be axwonderful experience. (And, I am pretty sure you have a HM in you, Alka. 👍) xxx

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie. xx

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Well done Sadie, glad to hear you are feeling better and are back on track 👍😊😊

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Thank you so much OG! In a way I don’t resent this glitch; have learned something very valuable from it, and something that may improve my running in the long haul. All good! x

[DebJogsOn]

Sounds like the Sadie we know and love! Good to hear you're back on form lovely 😁x

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

😘 Thanks Deb. I was spooked, but I came back! Hope all is well with you. x

[sarah65 Graduate10]

Lovely post x

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Fabulous to read Sadie, could feel the joy of your run. So good to hear you are back on top after a blip. I too am running at the moment with pleasure and enjoyment as the primary focus.

I joined a running club this week and did a club run of 4 miles on Tuesday night which was lovely. Then on Thursday night went to a training session (pyramid hills) so not as much pleasure to say the least but still enjoyed it somehow and came home smiling, tired but smiling nonetheless.

Have a wonderful long run tomorrow.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks my lovely. And you have joined a running club?! Brilliant! I would like to join a club, but not sure I could face running in the evenings after work. In fact I have only ever run in the morning since I started! It does sound lovely though, and motivating. Glad you are back enjoying your runs too, Lori. Phew! xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Just lovely x