You know when....

[Mummycav]

you just don't want to go?? You just can't face it because your mojo is slipping away into the deep, dark depths of monotony...monotony of everything....life, routine, running...

I had an excellent idea this morning, I was going to go up to Scammonden Dam and run round it...well, sat nav took me passed it on the motorway so I ended up coming off and going round again eventually using google maps on my phone which for some reason is more accurate than the brand new sat nav in my brand new car????? Ok so I'm here...and so is everyone else in Yorkshire...so I stay in the car and head off up to hartshead where I do run sometimes just for a change of scenery...parked up and got out of the car...started my timer for 5 mins warm up...got 3 minutes in and I turned around and went back to the car...I just couldn't be flippin bothered...

When I got home I got my saxophone out which I haven't done for ages...had a blow for an hour and then my phone pinged...it was DaddyCav needing something dropping off at the new build he's currently working on. So I packed up my Sax and because I was still in my running gear, I took my headphones and running sleeve, just incase I got the urge to pull up somewhere for a run.

Round the corner from the new build there's a long path, I'm not actually sure how long it is but from where I was it's about 2 1/2 miles to the nearest town so I headed down to see if the motivation I needed was waiting for me there...music on, timer on and off I went, warming up the legs on this grey, foggy day...I liked it...I really liked it...time to run...so I started the NRC 'I don't want to run' run...its 25 minutes which I thought I could probably manage given that it was now blummin dinnertime and that is NOT my time to run, plus I hadn't eaten properly since Sunday so there wasn't a lot of fuel to keep me going...

There's not a lot to see, its a path...with bridges...that goes passed a golf course, over a dual carriageway & over a motorway but I was running and that, as far as I knew, wasn't going to be happening today...the coach I had on the app was full of praise for me even starting the run knowing that it was the 'I don't want to run' run...and I ran the whole 25 minutes...and when that mojo of mine started heading in the other direction and slowing down for a stop I kicked it's butt, dug deep (and I mean deep) and carried on running...I felt like I was dragging my sorry carcass along a bit in places, but I didn't stop...I carried on...he counted me down the last 5 seconds and that was it, the run was done...I made it...and guess what?? I felt sooooo much better for doing it too!

Now I'm sat here with a piece of quiche and a brew talking to my running buddies ...feeling accomplished and happier than I did when I woke up this morning and thought about running...sometimes you've just got to get on with things whether you want to or not...

enjoy your runs this week everyone...and don't overthink it, just do it!!

MC xx

[Hidden]

I will admit that I haven't felt the not wanting to go for a run feeling yet but what I can say is...

'You are awesome!' I'll chuck a boom in for effect too...

BOOM 💥 💥 💥 💥

There, that's got it! I love this bit, 'I felt sooooo much better for doing it too!' because you did it. Doesn't matter how far, how long or even if you wanted it or not. You did it and that is just so wonderful.

You've got this (running) to fall back on. It's your constant companion and when you feel low or without the oomph, then this is when you need it most. Big result today, Mummycav came through. This feeling will be there again and when it is, you will search for that after run experience! The world can be a better place after a run 😃

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden ...we should always try and take something positive from a run...even if its just the feeling afterwards..Just lately, every runner I've seen has made it look effortless, when I just don't think it is...and that makes me feel a little bit useless...so much so that im looking for places to run where I wont be seen as much, whereas at one time I couldn't careless because I felt strong...and good...I don't know if it's the heavy weight of the pandemic thing or whether its just me at the moment, lack of sleep...worrying about the kids...I don't know..but I do know that this morning's run made me feel a whole lot better...thank you

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Useless - never! You did it!! You went for a run!!! That's a positive in itself!!!!

You went for a run when you knew you didn't have to and it would have been easier to just sit at home. Even better!😁

It does seem hard at the moment. I was blaming my current lack of enthusiasm for anything other than and easy 30-45 minute easy trot out on the comedown after my first 10k and the Vitality 10,000 but it seems more than that.

That said - I have enjoyed those trots! I just don't want anything more

Maybe it's the combination of the shorter days, the pandemic, the prospect of not getting a proper Christmas. I don't know, but the thought of another "long" (well long for me) run, or interval workout just isn't doing it for me

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Mummycav , I wish you'd seen me on my run yesterday, because that was anything but effortless. Slow, grumpy uphill slog? Flailing downhill stumble? Plus a bit of intermittent graceless plodding? All accessorised with a sweaty pink face and - bonus - a mystery allergic rash? You got it!

You went out there and ran, you kicked your mojo into shape, and you felt better afterwards? You're anything but useless, you're amazing!

My mojo is having a major lockdown sulk, so I shall take inspiration from you to keep getting out there. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

You are welcome!

Look at it the other way too. Someone will see you and think 'She's inspiring me to give it a go!' I look at any and every runner in awe because each one has had a choice to make and they made it regardless of how they look, they are out there 'doing.'

You'll get back to where you know you can be and all these types of runs are what you need to get you there! 🙂

[Lizcanrun Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

You should come running with me! Definitely effortFULL!! Well done for keeping going. I always think the runs that are a real drag are the ones you can feel the most smug about!

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Well done, Bev! My mojo has slipped (again). There's so much going on, and with my daughter's after school activities being on hold again (I usually run during those) I just can't seem to get my backside out of the door, even though I know I feel better after a run.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

Hmm, I always miss you when your not out and about...sometimes, especially now like you say, it’s hard to find the motivation..my most recent runs have been short ones because if I think about plodding along for 8/9k I just think ‘ugh, boring’ ...someone’s stole the magic!! I had a bit of magic today but really, running for 25 mins?? Huh...surely I should be running HM’s at this stage...I started a Garmin HM plan a few weeks ago, it was Jeff Galloway so it was walk/running and I felt like a cheat so I packed that in...I’ll have to find something to do...something where the magic lies....

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Oh I always feel like a cheat when I Jeff too. Last summer I ran non stop for 3 hours and 22 mins (HM) and now I struggle to run for 30 mins straight without a couple of walk breaks

BUT I figure I am out there, moving, breathing, raising my HR and it’s still better than being couchbound!!!

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I love Jeffing! It makes sense me to get there but with less effort😃

As Melanie sang, “don’t go too fast but I go pretty far” 😃🏃‍♀️

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Oh yes, getting in with a run when motivation is low is the best and most resilient thing to do. Such a glow afterwards!

I've not run since Saturday and am looking at the weather forecast - oh joy, light rain on Saturday! So, a quick run tomorrow maybe (bit achey at the moment) and then a long run in the rain! I'm not even joking!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Ohhhh how I love the rain Roxdog ...maybe the fog was dampening my spirits too?? You’ll be in your element on Saturday then 😉

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That is such a lovely write up

And wow the saxophone I haven’t been playing mine much lately so you have inspired me, i will get it out later,

You ran that great

Stay safe and blow beautiful clear notes you might even blow covid away

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Aw thank you SueAppleRun ...just had to share this morning, just checking I’m not alone!!

I’m def not alone with my Sax!! I love it...it made me feel better too, something I can do 😉...I started off on Baritone and then trombone..and then my hubby bought me my saxophone about 20 years ago, I only breathed the word and there was one there for me under the tree one Christmas morning!! I just play it by ear...

I would love to blow COVID away, if I had one wish, it would be for it to all go away and for everyone to be happy and safe again xx

Happy blowing to you xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Mummycav]

My sax arrived in the same way as yours, I played clarinet for a few years and only play by music my ear is rubbish, I play around with a lot of scales such as pentatonic a and can play a few tunes by ear now

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

You're so right - but I think running is all the sweeter when you know you've chosen it and you know you can say no, both of which you did today.

I made it out of the door, then the place I intended to park up was full (and generally "Where are all these people coming from? It's raining!") Big, big circuit (passing another full up place) nearly went home... but you know what, by that point the sun was out, I found a spot and right at the end I met some people I know and had a good chinwag (with Runkeeper Mademoiselle wittering about croissants in my backpack)

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

When I got back to the car, I was glad I’d been...

While I was driving to drop off the thing OH needed, there seemed to be loads of people walking their dogs or on their bikes and I was envious that I wasn’t really feeling it...but I just stopped thinking about anymore and just made myself do it because I knew I could only benefit from it! Sounds like you benefitted from yours too GoogleMe 😉👏🏻

[nowster Graduate10]

Hartshead Moor? That's seriously hilly. Wow!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

It is nowster ...have you been??

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I've driven past that area on the M62. Never run around there, though.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

It’s beautiful but yes, very hilly

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Your post reflects perfectly what I think most of us have gone through or are going through this year. It just feels never ending, but 🤞🏻 there is some good news to keep us going. In the meantime, you beat your demons and you went out and ran and you felt better for it. That’s a success in anybody’s book xx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Aw Thankyou Sandie1961 , yes it’s been and continues to be a bit of a drag...don’t get me wrong, I love being at home with my family, but I worry when they’re at school and hubby’s at work...we don’t go out to the pub very often at all but we do have friends round a bit and it’s that that I’m missing...I’m def missing human contact...maybe there’s light at the end of tunnel 🤞🏻

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

So glad I managed to get to see my parents, kids and grandkids before lockdown, but several catch ups with friends on hold. It really is the lack of human contact, which is the hardest thing.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That was a good idea, staying in your running kit Mummycav. Job done.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yeah I always think if I’ve managed to get myself into my sports bra I’m flipping well running now!! I got rained off the other day ( torrential) so carried on wearing my gear round the house and when it brightened up a couple of hours later I went and ran.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

🤣🤣🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, I always do that...it makes me go.....eventually! I even ordered a light as recommended by Hidden and made sure it was same day delivery just in case I didn’t get out til this evening! 😉

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Go you, Mummycav! An inspiration to anyone who’s in the doldrums!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Bless you Oldgirlruns , I didn’t feel like an inspiration today x 😩

[Hidden]

Here here to Oldgirlruns reply Mummycav, it’s a struggle at the moment for sure for so many and you are definitely not alone, and certainly not useless, ....running is not effortless either even if we might sometimes think so when we look at others, maybe it’s our red faced puffing flailing efforts that is our treasure, I certainly hope so 😆😘🤗

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I hope so too Hidden 😉 !!

I have been so positive so far...not a lot gets me down but over the last couple of days I’ve heard so many of my friends coming down with covid it doesn’t seem to be easing at all...oh well, onwards and upwards xx

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Oh that’s really hard with your friends being affected, Im sorry to hear that, I’m not surprised you’re feeling it when you’ve been so positive in the face of such massive changes. We have to allow ourselves some time to ‘not be so positive’ sometimes don’t we and give voice to the ‘cant flipping be bothered’ and not be hard on ourselves about it, then we will do as you ( and I 😊) did today, lace up those shoes and go running again 🤗

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😍 that’s true..things are far from normal at the moment, too much pressure doesn’t work...I’m going to do what I can when I can and finish my run on a high, like I/we did today x

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Oh MC, I've been there. It is so hard to get out the door but when we do, it feels so good after ( not always during). Great job on not giving up on it.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thankyou SaskAlliecat , it was too nice an afternoon to just go home and I am soooooo glad I did now 😉 xx

[misswobble Graduate10]

Well done Cav 💪👍😃🏃‍♀️

Was it coach Bennett? Love that man 🥰

A change of scenery makes us more alert. Job done 👊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thankyou misswobble ...it was coach Bennett, he’s so good at keeping you going 🏃🏼‍♀️...by the time he stops talking 5 minutes have gone...then when he comes back again 5 more minutes have passed...the last 3 minutes were the only bit that dragged...I like getting all the negativity out while he’s talking about it...he seems to know what’s going on in our heads!! 🤪 And yes, a change of scenery makes us look around more 👀...it was quite busy with walkers and def with bikes! xx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I did fartleks with him this morning - God, I hate him 😂😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

😂😂 😂😂 😂😂

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

Sometimes the runs that are the hardest to start are the ones we need most - fantastic work overcoming the resistance and doing it.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Blackberrypie]

That’s true Blackberrypie , sometimes, like this morning, just the thought of trugging along for half an hour just had no appeal whatsoever and running at dinner time is not usually my time...but maybe that was another excuse those gremlins were trying to come up with so I just ignored them and got on with it 😉

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Well I like that kind of gremlin slaying Mummycav! You would have just cause not to bother, but you were having none of it!! 🦾 If you think of all the obstacles I’d say that run was a win!! Go you!! 🤩🤩🤩❤️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Fabulous450 , you are always so encouraging & positive, you are just what we need!!! I’m sure you have your moments now and again but you’d never know!! I tried the Jeff Galloway HM plan but gave it up because the longer runs we’re feeling just too hard to face and I think that’s got to me a bit but you know what? I think I’m going to start again seeing as the weather is cooler and my favourite time of year for running is here...thank you for the boost that you always give me xxx

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I’m surprised you don’t know Mummycav!! 🤗 I absolutely share all my running frustrations!! 🤣🤣 This group of VRBs is my saviour! It just helps to get it out on screen and come around to acceptance that it’s sometimes pretty crappy, but often it’s pretty good too!! And...everything in between of course! 😉 What a crew we are!! 🤩

I’m only doing a 10k plan and deliberately over 15 weeks...🤓, to help me get through the winter challenge this year. No long runs in the week. I have rescheduled for a Saturday this week as this is the first time that’s happened. We’ll keep on running through! We can do it Mummycav!! 🦾🤩❤️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Like I said Fabulous450 ...always an inspiration...and its so good to mix things up sometimes...and I bet with your new job you're doing that quite a bit...but does it really matter as long as you're enjoying yourself?? Does it hummer!! xx