Mind over mind and over the hill(s) .....

[SmashedPotato]

Got to keep this brief as I have a cake to make for our first proper Allotment Cafe morning of the year (not earlier Potato Day sales specials). Where else can you have a cuppa and a slice of home made cake for a £1.00 with like minded folk.

Anyway, I digress. After running 5K on Tuesday (not worrying about the time I took but just to do it in fields with cows behind home) I decided to have a go again on Thursday. This time at Ashridge NT estate (after having a word with myself not to be disappointed if stopped before 5K). There are some steep hills to climb and chalk and root strewn paths to navigate.

Anyway, I set off on the less hilly circuitous route and even though it got to the 'just put one foot in front of the other' stage for the steeper climbs I still kept up the feeling of running/plodding and not walking in the beautiful spring albeit chilly sunshine. I kept going and going and got to a lovely place in my head where I was only occasionally 'checking the dials on the dashboard' depending upon the terrain - speed, pace, breathing, temperature, how I was placing my feet, straightening my back on the flatter sections, noting the niggles and trying to correct posture to ease them etc.

My goal had been to reach the bottom of Cardiac Hill and use the climb as a warm down walk back to the car - which I did. However, when I saved Strava at the bottom of the hill instead of completing 5K I saw I had actually completed 7.45 km and my moving time was 1 hour 4 minutes and 9 seconds. I had started Strava just after my warm up walk. I had incorrectly thought I would be running 5 1/2 km whereas the whole walk is around 5 1/2 miles! Maths has never been my strong point and I had had a mental aberration (not unusual) . My right ankle complained a bit afterwards but no other ill effects. And chuffed is hardly the word.

As such a sunny day and I was on a high I even broke my 'it has to be 8 degrees before I venture forth on the back of the motorcycle in the UK' rule. When we got home we donned the motorcycle gear and took the scenic route to Towcester to visit 5 month old Ruby (our God daughter and great niece) and mum. I slept well that night.

Would I have continued running past the 5K point if I had checked Strava? No is hte answer and demonstrates to me how mental it really is. And I forgot the pastilles - would have used 7 up that day wow! Happy running and a good weekend to all. Better get the cake on the go ...... Brief posting huh SP x

[misswobble Graduate10]

Your post has me hooked from the off 😃 potatoes, allotments, cake, running 😃. All the things I love 💕

Your run sounds fabbo. I used to shun hills but no longer. Take em really steady, chop your way up em, having pauses for nose blowing etc etc, til you get to the top I always have a look back before pressing on

I can’t do mental maths at all, never mind while on the move, so regularly make mistakes with distance. I can’t see my running watch dial either 🤓 Never mind, it’s all about the running 🙂

Keep on running and having fun with it. The freedom of it is wonderful.

Good luck and have fun 👍😃🏃‍♀️

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Awww thanks misswobble - a kindred spirit Yes I think I have conquered hill-dread and a pause for nose blowing and a look back at the view at the top sounds good to me.

And yes you are right it is all about a wonderful sense of freedom - it makes my heart expand (in a good way) and whilst I am NOT as a rule in to 'if only's ....' I wish I had done this years ago. It is the running that matters most, you are so right (emoji heart here as cannot do them).

I made Nigella's caraway seed loaf this monring - the scrapings from the mixing bowl were yum (!) though I opted for half a slice of a coffee and walnut at the Focal Point and twas lovely to catch up with old friends last seen in October! A few extra paces me thinks tmrw.

Thank you for replying. Being new to this posting malarkey (until I joined C25K forums) it is a strange feeling putting something out there in the ether and not knowing if there will be any response. I guess sometimes there wont be and not to think more about it - especially as I rabbit on so.......

Will send you a virtual thumbs up when I climb that first hill - hopefully tomorrow afternoon - after the final fishing lake greenery clearance work party. A victoria sponge for the guys no question to make later this afternoon and a bit of digging. STOP rabbiting. Happy Running to you misswobble - aren't we fortunate indeed to be part of this adventure. SP

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

Indeed! I wish I’d done it sooner than 57 but better late than never, and i’m Certainly making up for lost time 💪🏃‍♀️

I’m just about to have a pre-Run espresso before heading out for a jog

I hope it’s warmer than yesterday I was freezing my butt off walking the Monsal trail 🥶

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Agree misswobble - Monsal trail is beautiful - we did a wee section with family a few years ago now. One of my most favouritist parts of the world the Peak District - now there is an idea for a short break on the motorcycle with running shoes on board! Trust you enjoyed your jog post espresso. All the best. SP

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

Absolutely! Running tourism is fun 😃🏃‍♀️👍

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Whoohoo! SmashedPotato smashed that run 💪. Running is such a mental game isn't it? At least you ran further than expected and it wasn't the opposite where you thought you ran 7 1/2k and it was only 5 1/2.... that is a much harder pill to swallow. It sounds like my kind of place to run - hills and natural obstacles - Yeehaw! The rest of your day sounds lovely too, spending time with family and on the open round on a motorcycle. It paints a pretty picture.

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you SaskAlliecat! I agree the run is much more interesting than flatter terrain eg behind my house even with the excitement of negotiating cows. Yes we had a lovely time with Rubes and a sunny ride home - although there were so many road work diversions it took us twice as long to get back home via the scenic route!!! Happy running! SP

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Wow, well done! Excellent effort. Hope you didn’t freeze on the back of the 🏍

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you BaddieThePirate. 'twas a trifle chilly on the way home I have to say, but I hunkered down behind the hubby to avoid the cold wind who is fortunately is taller and broader than me! All the best. SP

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Well done! The best ones are when we do more than we think 👍😉

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you and I agree All the best. SP

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Yes funny how the mind can play tricks on us like that - well done!

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Yes indeedee, thank you! SP

[SeeJillRun 60minGraduate]

Wow! Well done, that sounds like a great run 😁

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks SeeJillRun. Seems a life time ago I posted the above ..... All my running has gone a bit pear shaped May/June as mum had a fall and ended up in Hospital and on discharge needed more support at home and I moved in. So I have only been out running a few times since and I can truly say I miss it +++++++. I also ended up on the IC for three weeks because I started road running rather than trail running around mum's village .... not good for my dodgy feet and ankles at all - especially as I was using my trail running shoes oops! Have now got a new route round nearby fields which I will stick with for now. I get home for a few hours in the week too, but have only had one night at Hilltop Towers with my lovely hubby Colly since 8th May. BUT that changes this weekend when I will have Saturday AND Sunday nights at home woo hoo as carers will cover !!! Miss my Colly even though we speak and text often and it is hard being apart, but mum is so lovely and as I keep telling myself 'it is the way it is and it wont be forever......'. Lovely to hear from you and even with dodgy internet access I keep up with your great postings from time to time. Happy running SJR.

[SeeJillRun 60minGraduate in reply to SmashedPotato]

Aw thanks, it’s lovely to hear from you! It sounds like it’s been a trying time but i’m pleased your mum is doing better n you’re not having to cope on your own all the time. It must be hard being away from your hubby and home and not being able to run very much. I hope you enjoy your reunion and your weekends back at home. Take care ☺️

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks SeeJillRun. Sorry for splurging ....... and yes it is hard at the moment, but I am mostly an optimist (despite the posting) and at times like these you really start appreciate the good things in your life all the more - and one of those good things is of course running yay!!!! All the best. SPx

[SeeJillRun 60minGraduate in reply to SmashedPotato]

No need to apologise. Yes I know what you mean about appreciating the good things all the more, situations like that definitely help to give us some perspective. We have so much to be grateful for be it’s so easy to take it for granted sometimes. Enjoy your weekend! 😊x

[Dottie_D Graduate10]

Wow fantastic. Well done you. It must be lovely to find that steady pace and relaxed mindset, I’m not there yet lol 😂

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Dottie_D]

Hi DottieD You will find that steady pace and relaxed mindset - and when you do - well let me know when you do! All the very best and happy running DD. SP

[Dottie_D Graduate10 in reply to SmashedPotato]

Just realised that wasn’t a new post I responded too. Still getting my head around this forum 😂😂😂

[SmashedPotato Graduate10 in reply to Dottie_D]

No worries, I do/did exactly the same!!! It is nice to look back at my old rambles so no problem and most of all thank you for commenting. Happy running