Finishing an up and down week on a positive note

This has been a week of real highs and deep lows in our little household. As a result Mymojo has been all over the place. She completely absconded for a few days and buried her head in the sand as a coping mechanism. After reading Gwyrdd's inspirational post yesterday, I gave Mymojo a talking to and I have hopefully now got my act back together.

I shoe-horned a 30 minute run in on Tuesday evening and finally managed to complete my fifth week of The Magic Plan this morning with the 50 minute run. I persuaded my husband to come out to run with me knowing it would do us both good, although he followed his own plan and I did mine. We drove out to run part of a cycle track that follows the course of an old railway line towards the coast. It didn't feel like it was going down hill on the way out, but after turning round after 25 minutes I certainly felt the gradual uphill incline on the way back!

It was not an easy run, but because of that it made me switch my busy brain off. It took me 15/20 minutes to settle in and then I clock-watched from 40 minutes onwards. I thought of my fellow VRBs who have had meaningful runs this week and took some inspiration from them to get me through the last 10 minutes.

I am so glad I dragged my husband and myself out and that we put in the effort. It was worth it too when I looked at my watch afterwards and saw that I had achieved a whole host of unexpected surprise stats during my run.

I completed the 50 minutes running an average pace of 7:30/km, over half a minute faster than the same run last week and that I covered 6.7km compared to 6.2km last week. I also took 3 minutes off my 5k PB during the run and did it in 36:52.

I had been so fixated on counting down that final 10 minutes during my run that I hadn't noticed any of these new milestones, so that was a very welcome reward after a hard week. Obviously I needed this run more than I realised, and it has done me good. Onwards and upwards.... 😊🏃‍♀️🌷.

Enjoy your runs everyone. I am off to log my new 5k PB on (Not)Parkrun 😉

[PeggySusi]

Well done Delly-dot.. - that run sounds like it was a real challenge.. glad your mojo has returned and your week has ended on a high..😊

[Hidden in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank you Peggy. I never cease to be amazed by the benefits of a good run. I am up for the day and the week ahead now. How are you doing with your return to consolidating? 😊

[PeggySusi in reply to Hidden]

Haha.. well I kind of hoped not to be asked that!.. not really running at the moment.. I have had a friend visiting with her dog so we have been showing her the best dog walks in the local area - we did a 9km walk yesterday - a lovely quiet circuit to the beach and back.. I’m hoping to start running again this week but waiting for the post to bring something - a gel sleeve - that I’ve bought privately that I’m really hoping will reduce the impact of running on my stump until I can get to see a prosthetist in September.. sorry if that’s too much information! I will post an update if I do succeed in running for a reasonable stretch!..😊

[Hidden in reply to PeggySusi]

Not too much info at all! Hope the gel sleeve brings some comfort and tides you over until September. A 9km dog walk is admirable though, in the meantime 😊 🐾🐶.

I shall be heading out too shortly, but our dog walk will be along the river with our cockapoo who would just love to launch herself into the water and swim the whole stretch of it if she was allowed - getting her out and back on the lead is no easy feat around water (beach, river or otherwise)!

[PeggySusi in reply to Hidden]

We used to have a dog like that and actually discussed him yesterday during that walk, as part was along the side of a stream which was a magnet for him.. and it sometimes took a good twenty minutes to get him to come out.. sadly he died a few years ago but he trained our current dog to follow him into water - she is a Bedlington whippet cross and I think it’s unusual for them to like it.. but she loves a — mercifully quick! - cooling dip..😊

[Timotea Graduate10]

I am digging around to find my mojo as well. Have the second run of WK 1 of Juju’s magic plan to complete. All kinds of excuses have popped up... filling bird bath..wrapping parcel... making husbands sandwiches ... clearing out cupboard..

Well done you for getting it together.

Look forward to hearing about week 6 of the plan.

[Hidden in reply to Timotea]

It has been a real yo-yo week, and it could only go one of two ways.

I decided I wasn't going to let all my hard work go to waste so I got my bahookie out of bed and got on with it! 🌷

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Sounds like this run was what you needed Delly-Dot, in lots of ways. A lesson learnt - a run is nearly always what's needed to deal with monkey mind days, or low spots.

Well done on your PB too. Isn't it odd how when you think you're struggling or having to dig deep, those are often the runs where you can beat your own records.

I have my 44 min run on the plan coming up this wee. Why do I think it will be difficult when I've achieved longer runs in the past? I will take inspiration from you. Not sure I'd still be running if it weren't for all the lovelies on the forum!

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

You'll smash that 44 minute run Roxdog! Perhaps there will be some hidden PBs in it for you too xx

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I hope so! I will have to try some new tactics I think. New running playlist created and I might just run 'away' and get my husband to pick me up from wherever I end up! I hate the homeward stretch - I usually run out of energy, so might try just running in a line and see where I end up!

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

I love your idea of just "running away" from your husband - I think I might employ mine to do something similar and so I can run the length of the route I took today - that way I will just keep going downhill 🤣 (though that might be cheating.....😉).

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

🤣

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That's absolutely fantastic, great way to end the week! 😄🤸‍♀️👏 Hope next week is a happy one 🌻

[Hidden in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you 😊🌷

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Well done getting out on that restorative, record breaking run. It's great to have running to escape from lifes bad times. Happy running 🤗

[Foxglove2 Graduate10]

Brilliant! So pleased for you, and so many new achievements clocked up. My next goal is 50 mins, I think I'm about 2 weeks away, and you inspire me to keep going and shoot for it!

[Hidden in reply to Foxglove2]

Do keep going. My hurdles this week weren't to do with the running, but getting out for my run this morning has certainly helped me. As Grannyhugs alluded to in her reply above, there is restorative power in running. Enjoy your runs Foxglove 🌷😊

[Hidden]

Those PB’s are coming in thick and fast now D-d, fantastic, all your hard work and persistence. 👏🥳🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💐

Seems like you handled a tough week just perfectly, letting your mojo go hide in the sand for a while, pulling her out when it was time, taking others along with you, what a great story of surfing the ups and downs of life (and running). I hope you are super proud 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your lovely reply Mrs Jorge. 🤗

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

What a happy ending to a tough week Delly- dot.🙂 The Running Gods 😇were clearly smiling down on you today and realised you needed a 'good one'😉! Well done on a fab run! 💪

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you 😊 🙏🏼.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Sounds great, it’s lovely to run with someone even if you don’t run next to them all the time

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you x. It was good to run together but each on our own runs. We’re looking forward to doing it more often. Perhaps I shall be posting more duo runs like you & Willow 😊🌷.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

I shall look forward to seeing them

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Good for you giving Her Behind the Sofa a good talking to and getting out there. Maybe a rest was what you were needing though, as you really came back strong! That was a great pace and brilliant 5k time!!!!

Big hugs. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you 🙏🏼. Love Her Behind the Sofa 😆. 😊

[Mum22boys Graduate10]

Sounds like you managed to finish a tricky week in just the right way. Set up now ready for next week. I think sometimes you just need to have a break as well, time to reset and recharge and come back more motivated. I hope you have a better week this week

[Hidden in reply to Mum22boys]

Thank you for your lovely reply. 😊🌷

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Huge well done for “digging deep” & doing so well. What a cracking pace - I dream of such things!! 😄👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you Elfe5. My pace surprised me as it really didn't feel anything like that whilst running!

Also, a slinky, sleek, ponytail-swishing gazelle ran past as I was making my way up the last little slope in the final 5 minutes and I was presenting the complete opposite picture of sporting effort - complete beetroot face and sooo hot 🥵🥵. But I was going uphill as she was running down, so I was definitely "digging deep" 🏃‍♀️😅.

[Hidden]

Hey, well done you!!

So many positives from a tricky beginning so a big virtual hug for you. Really pleased that you had so many achievements too!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your lovely message GTFC 😊

[Scruff55 60minGraduate]

Great post DD I m just back from my 30 minute run for W4 of JuJus plan. I’m doing my runs in a different order each week although try to do the long run as my second run of the week which gives me another chance at it if I don’t make it. A bit anxious about the 50 minute one this week which I should be doing on Wednesday. I think I might try a new route and see if that helps. Happy running 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Scruff55]

Morning Scruff. I slotted an extra 30 minute run into week 4 before I ran my first 50 minutes, mainly because I hadn’t been able to run for a few days and I felt I needed a bit more running in my legs before doing the 50 minutes. It worked but I also think I would have been fine with the 50 minute run first time round if I had been able to run as per the schedule. Trust this plan and yourself. You have plenty running in your legs now. Just keep the pace nice and slow from the start. 😊

[Raspberrypink Graduate10]

Lovely post and a great run with so many pbs👏🏼👏🏼. Hope you are still feeling virtuous 👍🏼

[Hidden in reply to Raspberrypink]

Thank you Raspberrypink. I definitely felt better for my run, slept well too and feeling good this morning 😊. Legs are a little tired though....... 😴

[Raspberrypink Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

That’s because you worked so hard 👍🏼

[Allbarron 60minGraduate]

Good things often come from adversity DD. I'm so impressed with your determination. Your pace is fantastic and improvement coming from all sides.

I know you'll get back on track and enjoying your runs again. Stick with it and I'm sure "Mymojo" will be back to her old self in no time.🤩

[Hidden in reply to Allbarron]

Thank you Allbarron. I shall give my legs a couple of days rest before my next run but already recognising the benefits of keeping up with the running - such a good distraction, even when it's a hard run. Hope you are enjoying your lovely holiday by the sea. Looks glorious in your photo.

[Allbarron 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

We are enjoying it. Very quiet, lots of reading. Only managed a short run last night the beach proved a challenge but it was empty and cool. Hope this week picking up for you 👍👍

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Great run Delly-dot and pb's all over the place. Isn't running just amazing to sort our head out if needed. Well done you 👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you Buddy. You are absolutely right. 😊🏃‍♀️🌷

[apatsyf Graduate10]

Well, what a run that was - great speed, time and distance. Brilliant. You have inspired me to try to put Mrs Worrywart in the cupboard and try Juju's magic plan. You are completely right, the running releases you from things 'going on' and I think I need a plan to follow. Keep up the good work and thank you Dd. 😃👍🤗🥳🧘‍♀️🌡💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🤗.

[Hidden in reply to apatsyf]

Thank you apatsyf 😊. Having a run certainly does help when the mind is preoccupied.

I am enjoying ju-ju's Magic Plan, but used a bridging plan from roseabi to get me onto it after I completed my consolidation runs, as I was still striving for that elusive 5k. roseabi's plan was brilliant. I reached my 5k within a couple of weeks and then roseabi's plan merged with The Magic Plan and I haven't looked back. I am all for following a plan too, must be the teacher in me - planning is instilled in us and it is hard to drop!

I hope your Mrs Worrywart enjoys the plan too 😊🏃‍♀️🌷

[apatsyf Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Delly-dot. I will try the bridging plan first as my 5k is definitely sporadic and lengthy! You are right about the planning - miss it in a funny way....🙄🙄😂

[Hidden in reply to apatsyf]

I stepped out of the classroom after 25 years teaching a couple of years ago to spend more time with my family. I don't miss the long hours planning! I tutor now as I still love to teach, and have been very busy over the past few months. There seems to be a lot of teachers on here 😊.

This is a link to roseabi's plan. The plan came about as a few of us were struggling to reach the 5k during our consolidation so roseabi helped us on our way. She wrote it down for me and the link is below if you are interested.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[apatsyf Graduate10]

Thank yooooooo!🤗🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️