Consolidation Run 11.1... get thee behind me gremlin

[Cp1965]

Well, yesterday was a bit of a failure. Went out with the intention of doing 40 minutes, barely managed 20 before it all fell apart, calf muscles were aching, the gremlin sat there telling me "I told you so", and my feet turned to depleted uranium, ended up walking home despondent and wondering whether I could go on. After all, I'm just a 55 year old fat bloke, what on earth possessed me to think I could be some sort of athlete? Weekly weigh in also went badly, my week away resulted in me putting on stupid amounts of weight, and despite a week of "being good" I'm still a kilo heavier than I was 5 weeks ago.

This morning then, got up having made sure I was well hydrated (drank about 5 litres of water yesterday), had a bottle of water before I went out, conscious that I hadn't had a proper rest day as such, just wanted to take it easy and get round. Aimed for 5k, just to be sure I could do it. No personal bests, no records, pace a bit slower than usual, but hey- I got round, 5.5km, 37 minutes (was going for the 40 but misjudged my route and didn't fancy running down a narrow path with nettles both sides!).

I feel like I've fallen off the wagon in many ways lately, what with not running for a week, over indulging on holiday, then the sudden crash when my daughter went back to her mum's and I'm all alone again. Just hoping that I can now pick myself up and get my body and mind to a better place.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Tut tut Cp1965, you used the f word and you know there are no failures here on the forum! Just practice runs! But you did 20 minutes which a while ago you’d never have been able to do, agreed? Weigh ins are horrible, I know to my cost that when you think it’ll be OK, it’s usually awful and when you dread it somehow it’s not so bad (and sometimes surprisingly good!). So you ran on 2 days straight which isn’t ideal for we newbies in our first year, so back to rest days now please! You’ve had a good holiday, you’ve got your running and now the time to get back into your routine. You’ve got through the c..p bit and now have the good bit to look forward to! Gremlins may sit on your shoulder but I’m sure you can see them off, they’re pesky critters but at each stage of a run you might be able to leave one in a ditch! Go for it Cp, you’re doing well!👏👏

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Certainly felt like I'd failed yesterday morning, and that gremlin had a right laugh at my expense. It will probably be Tuesday or Wednesday before I get chance to go out again now, I just had to go out this morning otherwise I fear I would have lost motivation and sunk back into the downward spiral again.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Cp1965]

I think we all have days when motivation is in danger of flying out the window Cp so well done you for giving it some wellie! Onwards and onwards from here!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That's amazing, no failure there!! Do look after yourself and take your rest days though, last thing you want is to overdo it and end up on the IC. Those pesky gremlins will keep trying but you are keeping them at bay and getting fitter and stronger with every run, no matter how long or short 👍💪

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

I felt like they had won yesterday, hence why I needed to go out again today even if just for 5k. Had a lot of stuff going on in my life lately, running has been my escape from everything and yesterday I felt like even that was going a bit pear shaped... just needed to get out there and prove to myself, as much as anything.

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Cp1965]

I totally know what you mean! ☺

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

You certainly picked yourself back up. That was a great time for your 5½k run. We 50somethings rock running. Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back. Happy running 🤗

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks, it was far from my best time but at least I did the 5k, and a bit more besides.

[TallTeal2020 Graduate10]

Sounds to me like you are very much picking yourself up and getting back on that wagon! Well done you on your many achievements here big kudos to you 👍😀

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

Hey Mister- Way WAY too hard on yourself!

You are doing brilliant!... and you are tackling one more thing than me by the sound of it!... your diet!... I'm making small tweaks but I can't shake off the Haribo need

Seriously tho you are doing fab!....

I need to change some of the words you have written

You are not JUST a 55 year old fat bloke - you are an amazing C25K GRADUATE!..... People would pay a small fortune to have that title! I strongly challenge the fact that having done that you ARE an athlete! You've just run 5.5k under 40 mins.. that sure makes you an Athlete in my eyes! Well done! (Especially after feeling like you have written you do - that takes serious determination!)

I think we will all have times when we feel we have lost our way a little but hey ho!.. you're back in the saddle so to speak, Back on the horse (God.. where am i getting all these crap sayings from!)

Ps. indulging on holiday is not only allowed but its expected!... and your daughter I'm sure is only a phone call away