It’s been a week since I ran last; events had conspired to make sure I didn’t run. I had a knee twinge after last Tuesday’s run. Then an eye problem over the weekend, which needed a trip to A & E, and being unable to see properly for a few days. I was very upset to miss my Saturday long run, but when I woke up in the morning, my eye was a mess and very painful; it was obvious I couldn’t run. Plus the online doctor said I had to get to hospital within 4 hours and I had to find someone willing to take me on the last Saturday before Christmas!
Today, my eye is much improved after all the drops and cream. The ‘don’t bother with running today’ gremlin 😈 was there in full force, but I got my running clothes on and that soon shut him up!
I thought about the guided ‘Grateful 8K Run’ but I was grumpy and not feeling at all grateful - plus I didn’t want to run for 8K. I though maybe 6 or 7K.
I started running out of the village. A slow, steady pace, which is how I love to start most of my runs. I was noticing people’s gardens, listening to the birds calling and counting the swans, waiting for a better mood to kick in. I started to feel better at about 3K. I wasn’t noticing my pace, I just wanted to be out there. The conditions were perfect, hardly any wind, air quality excellent and mild.
I turn left onto my favourite rural part of this loop that I run. Nobody was about at all! I stop to watch some horses in a field for a few seconds and snap some photos. I carry on with the run, enjoying it now, running steadily. I have a sense that I’m gradually getting faster. I’ve been listening to music, but I’ve already zoned out a while ago, so I switch it off. It’s not often I run without listening to anything at all, and I enjoy it.
I get to the last km and increase pace to finish strong. I’m tired, so I’m surprised to see I’ve managed 7:07.
Once home, I realise that I am grateful after all. The friend who cancelled her arrangements without even thinking about it, to take me to the hospital on Saturday. I wasn’t going to send any Christmas cards this year, but I found some leftover cards I made last year, and wrote cards to everyone in the village who has been supporting me during these last months and thanking them. 8 cards. 8 sources of support in the small village where I live.
That’s something to be grateful for! 🥰
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
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Sad to hear you’ve had some rubbish times Jools, sometimes it’s hard to be grateful isn’t it? going for a run when we can does make us more grateful to be alive though and I’m glad you found enough cards
It’s an expensive hobby! There’s all the stamps, the dies, the cardstock, special felt tips for colouring, watercolour paints for backgrounds, I have it all 😊. Fortunately I had made a huge stock last year so I was able to cover birthdays this year. I hope to get back to it again, I almost threw it all out, but I’m glad now I didn’t.
Sorry to hear that Julia. The eye thing sounds a bit scary - especially the get to hospital in 4 hours bit! You are a bit spooky though, I was going through more or less the exact same thought process this afternoon. I was going to use the Grateful 8k run but like you, I didn't feel grateful, nor did I want to run a far as 8k. I also thought maybe 6 or 7km would be just right.
In the end I put on my ELO playlist and did a nice comfy 6.28km.
It sounds like you have a fabulous support network around you - and yes that is something to be truly grateful for.
I still not sure if I feel grateful ,though I am glad I made the effort to run.
I’ve had the eye problem before, it’s uveitis. I know it has to be treated promptly, but the 4 hour deadline I felt was a big dramatic! Spooky that we were going through the same thought process! 😊 I did enjoy my 7K run as well, it was just good to be out there running.
I'm sorry to hear about your eye! I hope it wasn't anything too serious.You really are quite fast now - all that training has paid off.
It's so lovely to hear about your community spirit in these dark times.
I don't think there's harm in having a week off. I realise it was for medical reasons, but have heard and read that a little break can be good sometimes.
Eye problem is a recurring condition, serious if not treated, but on the mend now. I agree about taking a break! After my half marathon, perhaps it was a good time to do just that. I think we’ve all speeded up! Although I like to have PBs , I prefer to run slowly - with the knowledge I can step it out if I want to 😊
Sorry it’s been a rough week Jools. Great you were able to get out and blow the cobwebs away despite it all. Sounds like a lovely run. Hope you’re ok and on the mend.
Love the post Jools, notwithstanding all the burdensome concerns you're shouldering: great to hear of the cards... guess you'll just have to find time and the funds for the next batch 🤣 - sending you positive vibes across the ether 🤗😉🎅
Sounds like you've had a rough time of it, i guess we've all had alot to deal with this year! I hope your running has helped a little, to deal with things.Your time, and pace today, was almost identical to my run, on sunday! 🤔
I'm planning on a run tomorrow, will just how it goes, might try another longer one! 😀
Yes, we have! My pace for this run I wouldn’t have been able to do a few months ago. And this was a steady run. Good luck with your longer run! Your body will tell you whether to try or not 😊
Glad your eye is OK Jools and you enjoyed your run 😁👍 I'm impressed with the card making skills, they sound far above the norm 😁 I'm glad to hear that you have so much support in your life, it's when life gets tough that we find out who our real friends are, and you do have good friends clearly. Great run report btw- I can smell that fresh air! I can sense that 2021 is going to be a great one for you- you have the determination to make sure that it is 😁👍🤗
Well done on another fantastic run, enjoyed reading your post.
Sorry to hear about your knee twinge and eye problem so glad they are better now and wonderful that you felt well enough to go out for a run.
How fantastic that you have such a great support network you are blessed. It must be so lovely to live in a small village and have such great community spirit.
That is so lovely that you make your own cards sounds really enjoyable.
I have not been out for a run yet this week because of rota. I am hoping to get out tomorrow.
Take care and thank you for sharing the beautiful photograph
I really enjoyed your post. Running and being out in nature lifts the spirits. I’m on Christmas break from school, my dog needed a walk and it was raining. Not feeling very inspired, I set off. Had a great time, delivered local Christmas cards and noticed people’s gardens and lights. My mood had lifted by the time I got home.
Well done on that 7k! It's been a very challenging year and it seems to want to keep on giving until the very end... but I bet you've made those 8 people in your village feel that much better thanks to your handmade Christmas cards 🎄 So glad your eye is better and your knee is holding up 🤗 beautiful pic, as always, and a wonderfully evocative post, thank you!☺️
Loved the turnaround of your post - and the depths of feeling and reflection are so beautifully and honestly described. You are doing fabulously, despite everything life is throwing your way... maybe in part also because. You’re an inspiration to us all. You’ll know best how to manage your running ambitions in balance with the body’s requirements for rest periods or consolidation. Certainly, it seems to be a time to prioritise what gives you most joy, which sounds to be those nice, slow comfortable runs. Take good care of yourself!
Grateful for you sharing your story and your run as always. Hope everything is better with the eye! You may have answered it in recent posts which I'm just working my way through now
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
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