Do others have 2 people in their heads? It’s a bit like left brain right brain and the dominant one for me is the analytical steady follow the rules one without much imagination or vision….my legs though seem to be ruled by the other part, the one that has vision, takes risks and has a wild imagination and oh did they argue today!!
We start off with, this is slow….doesn’t matter…..how far are we going……doesn’t matter let’s see what happens…..we’ll if it’s a short one you need to speed up…..just shut up and let me do this my way, the pavements are uneven, wet, muddy and leafy and I’m terrified of falling so I’m going slow! and i run on changing direction as the whim takes me, still not sure if this will be a 10 minutes there and back or a longer run, the drizzle is light the breeze is light here away from wide open spaces
Coach Bennett drops in every 90 seconds asking bests questions, what’s the best new song? Got to be Cold Heart Elton John, what’s the best decision you’ve taken this year? to continue running! back in autumn when we were barely getting out once a week and barely running for 20 minutes I did wonder whether it was worth it! and then of course, to continue to work, to retire in January I would have needed to resign in October and in amongst the Covid outbreak I was trying to manage and the extra hours that exhausted me, my brain was fighting about whether i was ready to retire or not, the final decision was not to retire but that’s probably more about not knowing what i’d do all day than anything else, people said, you could really build your running up you could run marathons! you could really work on your saxaphone get to play reallly well, you’d have time to knit and crochet more and I had this vision of every day for the rest of my life getting up going for a run coming home playing the sax then sitting on the sofa knitting and crocheting all day and that’s not what i want, all those things are precious because i have to fit them in when i can.
So on I run, not even got a shadow with me today as the rain comes down and the sky is grey, next question, what’s the best thing you’ve learned this year? that’s easy… not to really care, i’m slower than lots of runners i’d never win a race but I can keep going, my friend Jo who i started c25k with back at the end of summer is curled up on her couch with a bottle of wine and netflix again. When i ran with her I learned i can run faster for longer but actually if I slow right down I can keep going, don’t get out of breath and don’t need walking breaks.
So lots of questions answered, in between my sensible brain suggesting we turn off and keep it short and my daft legs suggesting we go the long way round and the legs won 🥇 today 6.58 k in over an hour and not one step walked, busy roads, quiet roads, seafront that was blustery and loads of cars, quiet side roads where it was just me.
Thank you for this forum and wishing everyone an amazing New Year and strong legs.
Sola xx
Willow took one look out the window first thing and declined to run, I don’t blame him but so glad I did
Goodbye 2021 bring on 2022
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SueAppleRun
Graduate10
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What a fabulous post Sola, but crikey there was a lot going on your run wasn’t there?! Sounds quite exhausting! But you’ve had a brilliant year haven’t you - I’ve watched your improvement and enjoyment of running with envy! But I’m determined to be back in the new year and while I may not catch you, I’ll definitely be trotting along behind! Wishing you both a happy and prosperous new year!
When spring comes and the weather is dry and bright maybe I could come and run with you? I can run faster but am happier at a nice gentle pace and i think we are well matched, but only when you are back to your old form
What a lovely reflection. I love reading your updates. When I don’t feel like running I often come on here and you are the one that inspires me to head out. Wishing you both a very lovely new year and a 2022 full of joys. X
You've had an amazing year with your runs! As for the two people, well yes, fir me, one is a 62 year old, creaky, slightly grumpy, hard working person, another is a free spirited, adventurous runner! Running is power!As for retirement, it is very scary to be retiring in May, but I have dreams!
An inspiring post, Sola and you describe the run and your feelings so well. I quite agree about how continuing to work makes those special things so much more special and that when you are ready, you will retire with fulfillment. People in your profession are also much needed so well done you on keeping going. Have a happy, healthy and run-crochet-music-dream-filled 2022! Happy New Year 🍾🎉🤗🥂🥳🏃♂️🏃♀️👟🐈🍪🧶🌠🎷❤
Reading your post I am reminded of how far you've come this year - now running on consecutive days and showing amazing motivativation. I am often parked on the sofa while reading them and admiring your energy!!!I can understand your mixed feelings around retirement. I dropped to a 3 day week in September and it was absolutely amazing. I still have the stimulation of my job but it no longer takes over my life. It feels a good balance now. Have you considered PT working - or maybe you do this already?
All good wishes for 2022 - fantastic to now have choices around your working life. Happy running!
Thank you 😊 i can’t drop to part time as that would be my ideal but not possible where i work, i’m off to work shortly after a night of the grands and only a couple of hours sleep but as soon as night staff turn up i will hot foot it to bed, I think Willow will sleep this afternoon on the sofa. Have a fab 2022
Great post! I hope 2022 brings all the answers. Retirement would be nice but not quite within my grasp yet. I think my job is very like yours. I enjoy my job and don’t mind working hard but I just wish I didn’t have to work quite so hard all the time! Happy new year 🥳
Happy New Year lovely Willow and Sola! You've got me wondering how many people I am, and I've come to the conclusion that I have lots of add-on people I need to deal with everyday life, but when I'm running, I can leave them all behind and it's just me - although sometimes I'll take one or two with me so we can ponder our way through things. It sounds as if that's what you did too, having a chat with yourself, deciding to carry on at work - sometimes just deciding that now is not the time to make a choice is all the decision that needs to be made. Wishing you lots more happy running this year x
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The best run yet. By far.
Started the new year with a lovely hour run.
