30 minute run ‘Running on Empty’

[Jools2020]

This morning, I set out to do a 30 minute run, following good advice on here. I removed all pressure other than just to get out there and run. Well, it was actually 32 minutes as I chose a Nike Run Club guided run ‘Running on Empty with Headspace’. I’ve enjoyed these mindful guided runs before, with the inimitable Coach Bennett and Andy Puddicombe. This particular run was new to me.

It was a good morning to go out for a run! A little chilly, but the sun held a promise of warmer days to come. Running along the single track road by the river, with the sun warming my back was a treat. I didn’t care about my pace or distance, but listened to CB and Andy. There are gaps in the conversation, but I had no music, preferring then to focus on my surroundings and the sounds of the birds. There are still Whooper swans here, and I see a couple of flocks flying out to the fields, but I think some of them have already started their journey back to Iceland.

I celebrated my success in getting out of the door and starting the run. I swallowed my annoyance in seeing at least half a dozen runners out there this morning, two of them accompanied by encouraging partners on bikes. I acknowledge them all as expected in a small village. A man runs towards me who I’ve never seen before, we have a brief exchange of words as we pass each other. I wonder who he is, he’s tall and loping along effortlessly. Naturally I speed up automatically as we pass!

I check my watch during the last kilometre and decide that I’m actually putting pressure on myself to finish fast, so I back off to a more comfortable pace. I’m pleased at my strength in doing this! It’s what I need for now.

The guided run is brought to a close and I feel pleased that I’ve taken it steady in the sunshine. 😊🏃‍♀️☀️

[JoePhoto Graduate10]

Good one - lots of mindfulness and being in the moment too... funny how we improve when we see another runner and recognise their fluency...👍😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to JoePhoto]

Thanks, Joe. Yes, I can’t help increasing pace if I see someone else running - and of course, trying to make out I’m not 😂

[JoePhoto Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Well done on that run Julia. It sounds like just what was needed. 👌👏It's nice sometimes to simlply just run. And I like those Headspace ones - they are good for that.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Simply just running is what I need right now and possibly for the next few weeks. I love the Headspace runs and I’ll do all of them!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Great to hear that you got out and had a pressure free run !Sometimes it's good to remind ourselves that we are not just running for distance and pace !

I have done that NRC run now a couple of times and found it helpful.

Andy p and Coach B are a good team .

Glad you enjoyed it 😁👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian. I was disappointed to drop a run this week, but it couldn’t be helped. My son was here and he was my priority, plus we had lots to do! My house no longer has piles of rubbish stacked up everywhere 😊.

That guided run is excellent. I love Andy P’s voice, he instantly makes me feel calmer, and Coach B certainly gets me thinking.

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I think we just have to accept, occasionally we miss a run .The hard part is to accept it and not beat ourselves up .

You achieved other things that needed doing , you have now done your run so all is good 😁👍

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Exactly! Knowing that you can miss a day and doing so can sometimes be beneficial is another of those mental hurdles. And then there are times when ordinary life gets in the way, and it's not your fault.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

So true

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks, nowster. Both of the above applied to me. The positive - I missed a run this week but still went out and ran this morning!

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Well done Jools, sounds like a run I'd have liked to be on! Good idea to just enjoy runs as they come, I think we have to not lose sight that we have to enjoy runs or no matter how much we achieve, it's just liking it that gives us the motivation to get out there.Best wishes ☺️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Raisemeup]

Wise words, thank you 😊

[Bontobpat]

Sounds like a nice start to your Sunday. Good luck with your house move.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Bontobpat]

Thank you! 😊

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

Lovely post Jools, sounds a much needed relaxed run. Like you I always seem to pick up the pace when I see another runner coming towards me....must be a pride thing, then when they’ve passed, I slow back down again thinking....,shouldn’t have done that I’m knackered now 😂

I haven’t done the NRC Running On Empty, I’ll give that one a go, I enjoy the Headspace runs 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Haha, yes - I slowed right down after. 😊

[Week7 Graduate10]

Sounds like a relaxing " be kind to yourself " sort of run to blow away the cobwebs. Just what we all need sometimes-especially at the moment. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thanks, Week7, you, too! 😊

[GailXrunning]

Brilliant. No pressures. Just keeping things simple and enjoying what there is to enjoy. Sounds exactly what you needed.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Yes, it was. There might be a few more like that one 😊

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That's brilliant, well done on getting out there and just running 👏👏 I think breaking that habit of putting pressure on ourselves to achieve x is the hardest thing to do, it has almost taken all enjoyment out of running for me at times. But luckily we have those NRC guided runs to help us along the way 😃You know, I'm the opposite when I see other runners, I always slow down for some bizarre reason 🤷‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks, BF 😊. Those guided runs are so good.

You slow down? Haha! That must mean something profound! 😂

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

🐢🐌💪🤣🤣

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Ooohhhh a new man in the village 😉love how you naturally sped up he he he 😂😂 that did make me chuckle knowing I would do the same 😁

Sounded like such a nice stress free run. Good for you. So lovely to enjoy nature and your surroundings. I must try one of these headspace runs.

Well done

Take care x

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks, Rebecca - yes, you should try one, they are really very good.

[Roxdog Graduate10]

That sounds like a nice mindful run. Hats off to you for having kept it up during this tough winter, but spring is here! It's supposed to hit 17 degrees at some point next week!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

It was. I’m glad I ran, and I needed a ‘no pressure’ run. I’m looking forward to going out when it’s warm, but 17 degrees! That will be a shock to the system 😂

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Well done Julia, that's great you got out there, i know you've got alot on your plate right now, moving is a very stressfull time, wish i could do something to help 😊My son anounced he's moving out soon, so will be just me, and daughter no.2 left here, will prob think about moving/selling, next summer. 🤔

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter. I’m glad I went. There’s so much to do, but I got my ‘to do’ list done. And managed to mow a section of the lawn, too. Ran out of energy . I wish I had some help, too - but Covid has put paid to that. I think you knew your son might be moving out? In any case, you don’t need to make any decisions just yet! I’m just going to try and relax now, I have another ‘to do’ list for tomorrow!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Try not to over do things, not sure your timescale now, with the move, and how urgent everything is to get done. 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Looks like I’m moving on 30th March, so pretty urgent. Still unconfirmed.

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I will be thinking of you then, High Wycombe it is, and those hills! 🥵

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

I feel worn out just thinking about them!

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

🤣🏃‍♀️🥵🤣

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Sounds like a nice run especially with the sun on your back ☀️ . I think the sun had a bit more strength and warmth today 😊 I always speed up when I pass people too then I just go back to plodding 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

That sun on my back was lovely! I did run quite early, so wasn’t that warm, but still felt good 😊

Glad I’m not the only one who speeds up! (And then goes back to plodding.) 😂

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Glad you enjoyed your 30 minutes...I like them, it puts me back to the old Consolidation Run times...when we were so chuffed to have achieved running for 30 minutes non stop!

Amazingly now they are short comfy runs, easily done, with no pressure 😂

I speed up for walkers, when they stop and stand aside for me to pass...I think I’d better look good for them, and I don’t want them to hang around waiting too long as I plod by 🐌🐌🐌😂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Oh yes, I do that, too - although it doesn’t happen that often 😊

[Jericho2332 Graduate10]

I'm missing coach Bennett! His joy of running and infectious positivity may be just what I need to start really enjoying these runs again!

Well done on the run and I hope they continue to get easier 🤞🏻👍🏻

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks. I’m just going to continue with 30 minute runs for now. I know I have time for those and it’s taking the pressure off. Coach B is so good! I did take a while to get used to him, though. 👍

[Jericho2332 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

It really does! Hated him at first 🤣 but he's such a nice guy and such a passionate runner it's hard not to be sucked in.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Now this sounds almost perfect, mindfulness and bird song

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sola. Yes, it was 😊