I never liked running anyway...: It's been a... - Bridge to 10K

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I never liked running anyway...

Jundal profile image
Jundal
โ€ข43 Replies

It's been a difficult month or so.

Work has been tough, (12 hour shifts walking 6-7 miles a day) home has been not brilliant (why did I have kids and not just get a dog?) and I'd settled into a kind of deep blue funk. I hadn't been running since the 19th February, before three days ago and then, I only managed 3.5k before crapping out and giving up. And even though I'd 'been out' as I think of it, I'd settled into an old route that's pretty straight forward, but reminds me subconsciously of the beginning of the programme. And because I didn't manage to push myself, (I haven't been sleeping well, my injured knee has been creaking a lot and I've not been in a good place mentally) the gremlins have been out. In force. Wearing hard hats and Jack boots, chanting about how I can't do it, how I don't like running anyway, and if I run, my knee is going to get worse the more I run. So not a good environment inside my head for running.

Actually, it's been awful and I've felt rubbish.

But after a couple of good days, I decided to go out this afternoon and tackle one of the hardest routes I've ran. The first kilometre is uphill, and it's not particularly gentle. There's a few downward inclines, then more hills. Around 2k in, there a hill I had to walk up though. (Mainly because I didn't have my climbing gear, including crampons, harnesses and ropes!) But after that, (and a quick stretch of my thighs) I started running again. At 2.5k, it was hurting a little, but I kept on going, running slowly and enjoying being outside. At 3.5k I was inventing swear words and wishing I was pulling into my local pub as I passed! I got into the woods shortly after this and despite a minor tech problem, cruised down through my local woods, getting to the local priory. I stopped to open the gate and left it open, even though I'd just passed 5k, intending to shut it on the way back.

Now, the local priory is meant to be VERY haunted, with ghost stories abound but every time I've ever run down there, that gate has stayed open and I've run there at least a couple of hundred times in the last year or so.

Until today.

As I cruised tiredly up the gravelly path towards the gate, it started to slowly swing shut, going flush with the gate post, exactly as if someone had shut it by hand, despite the small steel plate at the base of the post, where you usually have to hitch it up an inch doesnt doesn't bounce open again. At this point, being unsure of the existence of people of the ghosty variety, I may have said something along the lines of "haha you unfunny invisible BA$T@4D!" I had to stop to open the blummin gate and then shut it behind me, no one wanted to drift it shut behind me!

I didn't go for much longer after this ghostly encounter, but I did manage a respectable 5.67k, beating my last 'long' run of a couple of weeks ago at 5.5k and any progress is good progress. ๐Ÿ˜Š

Edit: this is me feeling pretty good at the distance. Hi guys!

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Jundal profile image
Jundal
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43 Replies
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GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Indeed, all progress is progress. Good for you for getting back on it, this is a tough time of year for all kinds of gremlins... even the gate shutting variety it seems!! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007

Yes! Well done!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป you smashed those gremlins ๐Ÿ‘ฟ๐Ÿ‘น๐Ÿ‘ฟ๐Ÿ‘น although maybe one followed you to the gate ๐Ÿ‘ป

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toBridget007

Hope not, if it can shut a gate, what else can it do?!? ๐Ÿ˜‚

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

Oh my goodness Jundal!! You have done an amazing job getting back out there and doing 3.5k first, then nearly 6k! ๐Ÿฅฐ! Sounds like a brilliant achievement to me.

I have been struggling to get out there myself. Sometimes life just unfolds in an unhelpful way. And we do tend to put ourselves last, especially for the kids. But yesterday, I did a 10 minute run and simply decided that was all I had to give right now, but I did it. No regrets! My fellow VRBs were, as always, tremendously supportive of my very little run!! ๐Ÿ˜Š You, on the other hand have done much better and I both applaude and celebrate that you did slay those gremlins (who were even shutting gates today), but you were not beaten and you opened them! A massive well done to you!!

I hope youโ€™ll be back on track and feeling back in the flow of life soon! But for now, just so you know, youโ€™ve been amazing, as always! ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿค—๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ˜โค๏ธ

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toFabulous450

Thank you Fabby. That means a lot to me. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ––

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

Just wanted you to know youโ€™re VRBโ€™s are right here to support and hold up that mirror to show you what we see Jundal! ๐Ÿ˜‰โค๏ธ

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toFabulous450

๐Ÿ‘

Jogunlikely profile image
Jogunlikely

Good job ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ”จ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ—ก๐Ÿ—ก๐Ÿ—ก u crushed them ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toJogunlikely

I think I simply ran until they couldn't keep up. A good lesson well learned!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

Firstly ,well done for tackling all of that, this is one of the reasons we run I think. To sieve through thoughts as we go. As far as possible dump the bad stuff.

But ghostly gate closings ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ‘ป.

No, I've got nothing.

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toJell6

As my youngest son says quite frequently, "OH, COME ON!" ๐Ÿ˜‚ Was spectacularly unimpressed!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

What do you have to do? ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toJell6

For me, move, don't think. Thinkings the problem! Exhausting the physical quietens the mental and may be the most effective therapy of all.

Flaraflarkin profile image
FlaraflarkinGraduate10

Sorry you've had a crap time. But you've done great getting back out there Jundal ๐Ÿค— and thanks for posting as I too have been struggling to get out there again for almost 2weeks now - the slippery slide of why the hell am I even bothering to do this? has kicked in again. And I need to get out there... because I just need to get out there! Well done you for getting out there ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿ™Œ and thanks again x

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toFlaraflarkin

I think today I'm learning... Run. Just run. Doesn't matter how far, how fast, but run until it hurts so much that the mind stills, the heart quietens, and I exist in a tranquil pool only disturbed by the pull of passing pubs, cute dogs and muddy protruding stones I might slip on. โค๏ธ๐Ÿ––๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜Š

And you're an inspiration yourself Flara. Keep running.

Flaraflarkin profile image
FlaraflarkinGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

Love that description, and thank you ๐Ÿค— Your smile speaks volumes ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿฆ‹

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Yay, Jundalโ€™s back! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ‘Š

Weโ€™ve missed you, and it sounds like youโ€™ve had a torrid time of it. Hopefully things are looking up and you can grace the forum with your jolly banter again now that youโ€™ve rediscovered the wonders of running! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ

For what itโ€™s worth, no way Jose would I have run in the haunted priory ๐Ÿ‘ป. That was a darned respectable distance too, so mega kudos! ๐Ÿ‘Š ๐Ÿ’ช

Nice that youโ€™re back Jundal! ๐Ÿ˜€

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tocheekychipmunks

It's a lovely place, tbh and I love ending a run going around it. And things are looking up ATM, I didn't realise how bad i felt until the last couple of days, but often things are darkest before dawn. My wife introduced me to the wonders of singing every song you hear as if your a go jetter, everything I sing now is about grandmaster glitch and the grimbots! ๐Ÿ˜‚ And yeah, I often include ubercorn so he doesn't feel left out. But having said that, I've thrown away pressure on myself to do epic long runs, fast runs or anything. But I'll just run, enjoy myself and feel good. And chuckle as I sing about being a go jetter.

And it's good to be back. I'll be sporadically popping in every few days, I'd forgotten how supportive you guys are, regardless if it's about running.

Thanks everyone. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ––โค๏ธ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

Sounds like a fantastic plan! No pressure running is the best. ๐Ÿ˜€

Itโ€™ll be great to hear how youโ€™re doing. Iโ€™ve also resigned myself to the fact Iโ€™ll never be fast and 10k is going to be my limit. There simply arenโ€™t enough hours in the day for a ๐ŸŒ like me to go further! ๐Ÿ˜…

Happy running Jundal. Weโ€™re always here. โค๏ธ

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tocheekychipmunks

Slow and steady cheeky, start earlier and finish later! Come on, I'm sure you can get up to 10 miles...

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

Oh no, donโ€™t tempt me! Iโ€™d be out all day! Thereโ€™d be a search party! ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tocheekychipmunks

Doooo iiiiit.... ๐Ÿ˜‚

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

Stop iiiittttt!!! ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tocheekychipmunks

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Did it make you titter ๐Ÿ˜ the ghostly gate bit that is It would me ๐Ÿ˜. Then run a bit quicker as if being perused by a headless horseman or sommat. Good game ! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Running is better than therapy ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tomisswobble

It is, but my reaction was more like 'come on dude, don't be a dickhead!' ๐Ÿ˜‚

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

play it cool sorta thing. LOL

molly1973 profile image
molly1973

What a great run! Tough but it did exactly what you needed it to do: give yourself headspace and s chance to crush those gremlins. So pleased for you ๐Ÿ‘

lollytwist profile image
lollytwistGraduate10

Well done on beating your gremlins and getting out there! It can be hard to get motivated when youโ€™re in a funk. I hope your knee is feeling ok x

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply tolollytwist

It's better than it was, but I was told it was a sprain by the (useless) Dr but having had many sprains before, this WASNT a sprain. I've a feeling it's cartelidge damage, something I've had in my other knee, so I know how it feels. It's not bad enough to need 'sorting' though, so I'm just getting on with it.

Think less and run more is my advice. Those negative thoughts are just that - thoughts. Just cos you think something doesn't make it true.

Very well done sounds like a lovely life affirming run :)

SANDI_runs profile image
SANDI_runsGraduate10

Well done for getting back at it and ignoring those gremlins and spooks!!! ๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toSANDI_runs

Thanks, Singy-Ron. ๐Ÿ˜‹

SANDI_runs profile image
SANDI_runsGraduate10โ€ข in reply toJundal

No worries Junedoss ๐Ÿ˜

Wimborne profile image
Wimborne

Yay you are back!!!! Amazing come back as well. ๐Ÿ˜€

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toWimborne

Thankyou ๐Ÿ˜Š

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Well done! Very spooky.......๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Welcome back

Sorry to hear u've been having a rough time of it ๐Ÿ˜ข

Sounds a great comeback run tho ... Even with the phantom gate closer!?๐Ÿ˜ฑ

It seems there maybe a bit of a gremlin epidemic at the moment! We will soon bash them all away tho.

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toDeals1

That we will. ๐Ÿ‘Š

Islerunner profile image
Islerunner

I just read your post, Jundal. I donโ€™t think weโ€™ve โ€˜metโ€™ before, but you just commented on my weedy โ€˜treadmillโ€™ post and Ive just found your post really inspiring. Your โ€˜just get out and run to clear your headโ€™ attitude is really refreshing. Iโ€™m always being told Iโ€™m an over-thinker and c25k can really feed that if you let it and you end up beating yourself up if you miss your personal targets that no one else knows about. And Iโ€™m beginning to think thatโ€™s counterproductive and defeats the whole point of this exercise for me. I started c25k because there are/were a load of crappy things happening in my life and I felt like I needed something else to focus on (and I needed to get fitter) and it was working. But now Iโ€™m nearing the end (W8) Iโ€™m wondering if I have unwittingly set myself up with something else to worry about as I am panicking about fitting in runs this week so I can Parkrun on Sat. Maybe I should just stop worrying about that self-imposed deadline and remember why I started this thing (to clear my head from everything else!).

Does my rambling make any sense? I think you may have inspired me to think differently about it all today. ๐Ÿค”

Jundal profile image
Jundalโ€ข in reply toIslerunner

Glad to be an inspiration, islerunner! And yeah, I completely understand. The trick is to realise that even having a week off isn't going to really effect your level of fitness, (I wouldn't go more than that if you can help it though) so don't beat yourself up for missing a run. I'll be honest, as I've gone on, sometimes it's harder: I don't have the massive feeling of achievement at the end of each run as I used to but I do have a sense of calm. Even my wife notices I look like I've shaken off my problems when I'm out, and it comes with a host of benefits to my mental health.

As you get sucked into the world of running more and more, you'll hear of negative splits, fartleks, form, gait testing, shoe porn, race bling, running clubs, running clothes, (seriously, Aldi and Lidl are ace for these) but most people forget to talk about the main reason we run:

Run is one letter away from fun. And we run because we enjoy it.

So throw away your targets at least for one run each week and just enjoy it.

Islerunner profile image
Islerunnerโ€ข in reply toJundal

Thanks for that, Jundal. I think I needed to hear it. Iโ€™ve suddenly realised that I am just setting up more reasons to get in a stress because Iโ€™m giving myself targets all the time and then worrying when they are difficult to meet (because of the weather!). I do need to calm down and remember why Iโ€™m doing this. And if I have to put the Parkrun back a week or so, itโ€™s not the end of anybodyโ€™s world. And Iโ€™m also probably more likely to achieve it!

Thank you for totally unwittingly helping me sort my head out. Isnโ€™t life funny!! It sometimes takes a total strangers words to help you see what you have been missing.

I think Iโ€™ll still investigate the treadmill though!

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

I never ever thought that running would be the way to sort my head out. Or that, having discovered it, that I would forget and need to be reminded, but it's true, runs like this are the ones that remind us why we do it, and posts like this help others to work it out for themselves. Not sure I could have taken the phantom gate closer quite so calmly! Eek!

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