Maybe my last week in Portugal

[Banana12]

My bum problem has stopped me running for over a week, so it was with trepidation that I chose a Nike run this morning. I thought for sure I’d have lost all progress made. But not so. I selected a short wee 20 minute run and managed that. So hopefully that’s me back on track. I’ll know better tomorrow.

We’ve been stranded here in this beautiful country for five months, so I can’t quite believe we’re now scheduled to get home next Wednesday. I’ve got really used to knowing the weather will be great every day. I’m not sure I’ll get that at home. Also, I can’t think of any safe runs where I don’t first have to jump in my car. Whereas, here, there are any number of safe places to run. Our village is superbcute, but the surrounding roads can get busy. Also worried that quarantine for two weeks will make it tougher to pick up running shoes and put them on. I really hope to keep running at home.

Fingers crossed Mrs Sturgeon makes good decisions for Scotland so that’ll be one less excuse for me to be lazy. And lazy I can be...I know me. So am posting this to be accountable. I’m hoping that sets me up for success at home as I’ve loved running here.

Happy running peeps. Please keep your fingers crossed for me to get home initially and, if so, I don’t to return to being a lazy banana but continue my goal as a running banana.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

We hear you Banana12 ...you've got no getting out of it now...we'll all be looking out for your first 'back home' post!!! Good luck with your running and have a safe journey home

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I hoped it would keep me on the right path Mummycav. It’s been a real hard slog losing my weight and now I’m sort of here, I don’t want to go back. I’d have to change my name to too many bananas 🤭

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

I like manybananas!! You sound like a very determined person...losing weight is very difficult and you don't want to undo all your hard work...same applies to your running...and once you're on here with us, it's hard to get away!!!

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Agree! It would be nuts to allow myself to go backwards. Onwards and upwards. Thanks to everyone on here for sharing and keeping me on track. X

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

We all keep each other going don't we?? I love it here

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Are you still there 🤣 what a beautiful place to be stranded.

I know Scotland's weather can be a bit unpredictable but what a great place to be when its sunny and I can't complain the weathers been mostly lovely over the whole of lockdown.

Hope you get your flight next week 🤞

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks so much Buddy34. It’s been lovely here. And it’s helped me focus on running. I love what running’s done to my shape (not so much in terms of weight) but I’m finally not mortified to tell anyone my weight now. And I’ve never been there since...we’ll maybe since I was 6😉 but we didn’t have scales back in the day. But I jump on every day now just to make sure I don’t creep up again. I suspect it’ll be a very long term undertaking. I know, fir sure, that inside this slimmed down version, there’s a porky lady waiting to explode out.

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

Just keep going. I totally understand as I'd put on weight after stopping smoking and it's all gone thanks to running and all the great supportive people on here. 👍😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Good luck with you journey and return To UK banana12, don’t worry, you won’t lose running fitness in 2 weeks. You might actually benefit from a running break. Do some strength and flex exercises instead and you’ll be fine.

[Sybilw Graduate10]

I’m nearly the same age as you with the same running history (none!). At home is the east of England - usually dry and often hot in recent summers but I can assure you that when I go “home” to Scotland I love the cooler runs and in fact running in rain can be fun too!! I’m sure once you get home 🤞🏻 and acclimatise you’ll soon be happy just to get out. Posting your intentions online is a good strategy- it locked me in to the original program and I’m still here 2 years on. Happy cool running.

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you Sybil🤗. I’ve not experienced running in the rain. Not sure it’s for me. But then I didn’t think either 5k or 10k was for me either and I’ve tucked those under my belt. I never expected those results so perhaps, with intentions made public here, and this supportive group...I might just make it🥳

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

I thought 5k unlikely (not a finisher) and tbf we never learned estimating at school and had I realised how far it was I might never have started!! Was adamant 10k wasn’t for me ✅ 🤣. All I’m saying is you might be surprised. Heard some good news about easing of Scottish lockdown on the news too so hope you’re home soon.

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

We’re meant to fly home next Wednesday. After so many false starts, it feels too much to hope for. But I live in eternal hope. X