Trying and trying and trying to run further!

[Gwenllian1]

I haven't posted much here for ages although I do read every day. I thought it was time I stopped lurking and made myself accountable so here goes, long post alert! I am trying to get back to being able to run 10k in readiness for the Chester 10k which with luck will take place in July. I have only run 10k once before and that was last year just before the lockdown struck when Ian and I ran the Chester 10k together on the 8th March 2020. I was totally delighted to do it, even if I am slow as a slow thing. I don't really care if I am slow. That is just the way it is. I finished last year's 10k determined to do another one and intending to keep training.

Then the first lockdown threw my running badly off course. Here in Wales we had to exercise from home and I was living up a very steep hill where there was no way to go which did not involve ferocious inclines. I lost my way a bit and then returned to running last summer when we were once more allowed to drive for exercise. By October last year I was back to running two or three times a week and getting up to about 8k. Then a mini disaster struck. I had a suspected TIA and was told to stop running. After a month or so my GP said I could start again and then we hit winter and we were moving house. Running just fell off the priority list. I always tried to do something but by the time we moved here in February I had lost a lot of fitness. So since February I have been trying to get back to doing longer distances and to running more frequently. Somehow I had got myself into a mindset that left me wary of running longer than 5k, feeling that the longer distances were beyond me, feeling intimidated by them again, just as I had been when I did C25K. I have done the magic plan twice last year, once to time and once to distance. So since February I have been trying to do it again.

This morning I really wanted to run at least 8k, perhaps even 9k if I felt ok. And I have done it, to my astonishment. I had to walk a couple of the steeper bits of hills and I really should have carried water with me because I was aware of struggling with the heat. But I did it. It is so good to be able run in a rural area. Birds were whipping in and out of hedges. The wildflowers were overflowing on the verges. The hawthorn is in bloom and every now and then and the breeze hit it and a great waft of warm scent drifted past. I will do a couple of short runs this week and maybe next week have another go at 9k and see if I can run all of it. There is also some serious scope for doing it a bit faster! But I am chuffed. I am getting back to where I want to be.

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Well done for making 9k ! You’ll definitely make the Chester 10k in this case - more than likely !! TIA is pretty serious, however mini, so good for you to get back into things so quickly (after doctor gave green light ;). Keep at it. 😁

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

Thank you! I would be so pleased if I could run the 10k a little bit more quickly than last year (one hour thirty minutes!) But I'm not holding my breath! I'm trying to take the view that being out there is what matters.

[Granspeed Graduate10]

👏🏼👍 Well done. So glad your efforts have paid off. And good for you for standing up to that feeling of intimidation. Down with gremlins! Up with runners! And personally, I love a good snail. 🐌 Or, indeed, a tortoise. 🐢

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

Snails rule! I’ve got a lot better at comparing myself with me and not with other faster people. As long as I focus on my own health I’m ok. I must admit that from time to time I read run reports on here and feel a bit discouraged at how much slower I am but then everyone is so encouraging I try not to be. In the end I’m doing this for me. And I like it! Who would have thought?!

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Always remember: whatever your pace, you are faster than I am at the moment as I am grounded! But I hope to get back running once OH’s care arrangements can be sorted out. So set me a good example. 🤣🤣 Happy running. You’re doing fine!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Good for you for keeping at it

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

You are a great inspiration in keeping at it, despite challenging jobs and tiredness! I think you have it exactly right - it’s the keeping on turning up that really matters. X

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

Yes you are right 😀and i don’t mind some short runs then a long one if Willow needs a rest day, x