So lots of you will know I was feeling a bit down yesterday, and not wanting to run at all. I guess things are getting to lots of us right now, for one reason or another. Thanks so much for all of the lovely supportive replies to my post. It made a big difference.
So today is another day, and I'm feeling a lot less morose - even if it has been another damp, grey and miserable day weather wise.
I'm off work now for 2 weeks - the University gave us all an extra 2 days holiday over Christmas this year, which was a lovely gesture. So I decided I wouldn't get up early and run, but have a lie-in, a relaxed breakfast and go for a no-pressure run around lunchtime. It would be nice with no need to get back to the laptop.
I went out around 1:30. It was still damp, but the sun was doing it's best to force it's way through the grey sky - it didn't last.
I toyed with the idea of using the NRC Grateful 8k run, but I wasn't sure I wanted to run as far as 8km and I certainly wasn't feeling grateful at all. In the end I put on my ELO playlist and set off at what seems to be my comfy pace these days, not worrying about checking the watch as I ran. I wasn't even sure what route I was going to follow, I just let my legs take me where they fancied.
In the end it turned out to be a 6.2km run and I was pleasantly surprised by the average pace and to see that Strava gives me my third fastest time over 5km as well. A few weeks ago that would have been unthinkable. Maybe those Speed Challenge workouts have made a difference.
I was determined to run today, and it definitely blew the cobwebs away. I feel so much better for it, but still not sure if I can stretch to being grateful just yet.
The photo was actually taken on an extremely muddy walk in the woods earlier this week where I noticed they seem to have set up a "12 days of Christmas" trail. I must go back and collect the full set.
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Birdlady64
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Letting your feet choose your route is a great way to run 👍 I'm so pleased that you are feeling a bit better today and it certainly sounds like your run helped work some magic.
Thanks! It definitely worked its magic. I knew I would feel better after a run, but I also wanted it to be a no pressure run, so had no goal or aim other than to run
Thanks Ian.Yes a decent distance. I actually have only run more than ~5.5k twice since my Vitality London 10k at the end of October. My plan is to keep ticking over (as you say) until the New Year and then build up again from there and see where it takes me
Glad you are feeling less down today, I would be ecstatic if i could run your speed, mine was really slow this morning, that picture is great isn’t it?
The increased pace has only started to come recently since doing the Speed Challenge.It showed me that I could go faster. I think I'm going to incorporate a similar kind of run into my weekly plan going forwards.
I did intervals and yes the speed challenge was good at making us realise what we could do but i’m full of mince pies and christmas cake from work i’m blaming that on my slow run today lol, I love reading your posts and knowing how much you have improved
Well - it is Christmas after all. We're entitled to push the boat out a bit aren't we - specially after the year we've all had.You're too kind - I still have this sense of wonderment at how far I have come on this running journey. How lucky we all are to have running in our lives.
Very lucky indeed, our cook at work made mince pies, brought me 3 on a plate to try, I gobbled 2 down before someone came in my office and i gave the last one away, then we had a meeting with the people who live there so we are the christmas cake they made and i got a large piece, I also made my own mince pies and had a few with baileys cream no wonder i’m a bit bogged down, you are right though, it’s Christmas week, and it’s been a horrible year but we e continued to run and that’s some achievement
Thanks Littleoyellow. I'm definitely going to collect the full 12 days. I'll post a pic when done. I'll need to brave the mud though. We need a few dry days but it is raining here yet again this morning ☹️Happy Christmas to you 🎅🎄🦌
Lovely to read you are feeling a bit chirpier Birdlady. It wasn’t like you. We all understand. It’s scabby news you’ve been dealing with. But this is more like you. For me - It’s 11 degrees here in Portugal and it’s still dark. We’re so thankful we took the decision to hot foot it over here before the lockdowns were announced. We weren’t sure it was the right thing to do. So far so very good though. I’ve managed to run most days here. It’s pretty hilly with ‘wild’ dogs to avoid but I’m looking forward to my stats in Feb when it’ll be my runniversary. Keep going BL your running and your write ups inspire. Happy Xmas everyone.
Thanks Banana12 🙏I am jealous of you being in Portugal. It must be lovely to run there at this time of year, but too hot in Summer. Mr B and I love it and try to go once or twice a year. We had a wonderful Christmas there a couple of years ago just south of Setubal. We missed it a lot this year.
Have a good Christmas ☃️🎄🎅🦌 and fingers crossed for a much better 2021.
I'm so glad its not just me who is feeling a bit blue. My University gave us 3 and a half days off so 2 weeks closed 🙃 I have relied on C25k since I started in March= 1st lockdown for respite. Took a mega tumble yesterday so now sad that it will mean I don't get to enjoy holiday runs 😢. Keep up the running and that's a great pace 👍
Sorry to hear about your tumble. I hope it's not too serious and you are back out there and running soon.Thank goodness for c25k and these forums do help preserve our sanity don't they.
That looks very pretty, a swan on a tree, nice run for you today Birdlady64, lets hope we have dryer weather so that there are isn't so much mud or large puddles around.
You take care, I have just completed my 41st virtual parkrun in a time of 37.32, last week I almost fell and couldn't run at all, my left leg was very sore, however, it's now almost back to normal, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a happy running New Year
I remember - you still did your 40th in a time of 40.40! 👻That 41st virtual parkrun was a good one for you Al - glad your leg is virtually (ha!ha!) better 😘
The slightly slower time this morning was due to ice, rather than the leg, I almost slipped when I was on my warm up walk before the run so when running I was careful that I didn't fall, I usually do the not parkruns on a Saturday, however, with Christmas Day being Friday and being invited for Christmas Dinner, this Saturday morning may not be the best day for a run. 🏃🏾
I haven't tried to run in icy conditions yet. It's unseasonably mild here down south and very wet. I love a cold bright crisp day though we never seem to get very many these days.Enjoy your Christmas dinner 😋
It was a cold bright day where I am in Central Scotland, at 6.15pm I just looked out the window to see a bright moon shining and the Planet Mars very near to it.
I was thinking that if I feel OK this Saturday morning I will for the sake of old time rerun run 3 of week 5 of C25K, I still have that app on my Smartphone, so a 20 minutes run should be nice after the meal I have on Friday Christmas Day
Glad to hear you enjoyed your relaxed no pressure run enjoying ELO, how nice to just let your legs take you where they fancied. Glad you felt a lot better for it too.
Thanks 🙏 It was just the thing to lift my mood.It's weird but I tried running to ELO a while back when I was working up to 10k but it never quite worked for me for some reason. Yesterday it was perfect.
Glad you got out for your run yesterday, as you sounded a bit down, i'm sure the run helped! I think everyone is struggling a bit, with the tier 4 restrictions, and christmas plans, having to be changed! 😞Weatherwise, looks a bit better, over christmas. 🤔
Thank you! Yes the run definitely helped lift my mood. I know everyone is struggling right now. Fingers crossed for the weather over Christmas then 🤞Have a happy Christmas 🎄😁
Glad you had a better experience today. I work for a Uni as well & I hope to make full use of my extra days of leave by getting some extra daytime runs in. Like you, I don't have any strong plans for distance, etc. (is it just me, or does every run feel like a recovery run at the moment? ), but I'll just be glad to be out there. Also, I've been very good all year 😉🤞🏻 so Santa is bringing me some new shoes (just managed to get a gait analysis before it all went Pete Tong here again). Take care x
Sounds like a tonic 😊 How lovely to run just for the sake of it without any real plan in mind. It’s great when work has finished too so the days are you own. Glad you’re feeling better today 🤗
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The first two shirt run of Autumn!
Magic Plan, W3 begins! 
A fabulous run in the sun 🌞 😎 🏃♀️
