My goodness I woke in a grump this morning, just before 8, my day off, the day if my long run, well it used to be. It's a grey day, I drank my tea and played with my lap full of gremlins, what's the point they said, retirements coming up, you are losing your purpose, stay in bed they said, everything hurts anyway so why make it worse? Willow woke, listened to my gremlins for a bit then told them firmly to go away, he said I'd feel better after. So I read a bit more of my book!
Without thought I got out of bed, started to get dressed, couldn't find my favourite knickers, grumbled some more, pulled on my thin roll neck thermal vest and topped it with a grey one, running leggings, put a mint in one pocket, browsed NRC and picked 60 minutes running. And there is the crux of the matter, this year I've not run as much, I've run shorter distances and times and even when I ran 5k I was taking walk breaks by 3k, I was disappointed in myself.
Off I went, 3 steps out the door I realised it was raining turned round got a hat, not my hat, I think that may be in a car. One of Willows, grabbed a handful of loo roll, must buy tissues.
Seems I didn't pick 60 minute run at all I picked 4 mile head starts.
Turned right and right again, heading north, can't see the downs today, mist and drizzle.
Very slight uphill, never mind, paths, slippery and wet so go slow is the order of the day.
Tu n right and head east, slightly downhill, on I run, hat is comfier than mine, I might keep it. Say a cheery good morning to a woman pushing a pram, a man with a walking stick and a couple of teenagers.
Decision time, to run to the end of this road and down to the seafront is an over 8k loop, too far, but can I bear the embarrassment of running down the high street? Past shops and people? Yup, I can.
It's a sad place our high street, seeing the shops that never reopened after the pandemic. I pass charity shops, fast food outlets and a small supermarket, the florist is still there with a bright splash of colour on the street outside, spring flowers to brighten the day
I'd forgotten the railway line, I haven't seen the gates open when in my car for years but the god of runners was with me and I ran straight across, better than the steps over the bridge
Fork right and run the length of the road past where my daughter lives, yesterday she had a home study day but today she'll be striding along the corridors of a local hospital ensuring people get the treatment they need.
I can see the sea, a darker grey than the sky, not inviting. Cut through past the fire station, through the industrial estate and across the road to where it all began.
I listened to coach, I listened to music, I paused briefly to snap a photo, I ran on.
I ran home, the whole thing was very slow, I was soaked through, but I ran the whole 6.45 kilometres, which took over an hour. V02MAX docked me a point, expected, fitness age still very old but unchanged.
Willow had tracked my run so there was tea waiting as I walked through the door, he then helped me peel off my soaking wet everything and stretch.
Do what you can and be proud
The picture is of the park where it all began.
oh and the title? I realised while running that all the aches and pains I'd woken with had gone 😃
Written by
SueAppleRun
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
That was a reasonable run for you today Sola, today the weather in the UK is all over the place, southern England is mild and wet as you know, further north over the Midlands and north of England there is snow, where I am in Central Scotland its cold with brilliant sunshine This morning I ran a 7K in a temperature of - 2C at nine o'clock. I have posted a photo of part of the run elsewhere on this forum.
I don't mind running in a slight snow shower but I certainly won't run in a blizzard, I hope the snow goes off where you are which will allow you to go for a run, be careful about icy patches.
Wet yes, but not sure about mild. Weather app says 3 degrees feels like minus 3 and whilst no snow it has been sleety rain all day. It's all relative I suppose.
we’ll done for pushing the gremlins away and going t out. Nice 6.45 km as well. I bet u feel better for it as well. As Al Morr says cold in Scotland-5 here this morning. Just waiting for snow tomorrow late and think back agsin saturday. Time to hunt out wellies or winter grips again. Not been doing much mileage myself back still having problems not sure if a sprain on mid bsck thoracic but not going to docs , trying to rest if possible or just a small walk for a few weeks . Take care😊
Such a shame about your back, don't slip in the snow, we haven't had any for a few years now, I love to see it but would rather be warm. I'm so slow but pleased I could keep going
That are meandering around being chased by the I ran happy vibes, so getting there, half way through a 13 week notice period isn't helping but time is passing and retirement coming up in 6 weeks 4 days, not that I'm counting of course
Absolutely brilliant! Isn’t it funny that the runs where we start off in a grump, not really thinking we’ll finish sometimes turn out to be great ones! An excellent result to chase off all the aches and pains and gremlins too. Super! ❤️
Another encouraging run for you Sola. 👍 Fantastic. I’m in Chichester today and there’s no snow, but it’s miserable and drizzly. I wouldn’t go out in that. Well done! 👏
Great run and a really decent distance SueAppleRun You are doing better than me at the moment. And what a star Willow is, tracking you and getting the tea ready at the perfect moment 🥰
He ran me a bath too afterwards 😃 he's not quite right though and very achey, blood tests done and waiting to see GP, who thinks it's something lingering from the flu we had, I wouldn't be surprised it is was long COVID, hoping the GP can sort it out as he's not himself at all
Thank you Floss, I saw yours on Strava and thought "oh no and I'm not even up yet" I'm sure I won't lay in every day when the alarm wakes me most days, the rain didn't bother me and Willows hat is much more comfortable than mine, it was so slow but I needed no walk breaks 😃
Such a great read! Sometimes when I'm off I lie in bed and try my best to sleep and eventually get up after procrastinating and get my running gear together and drinks and jelly's if I'm going out for a long run (sometimes this can take as long as the run itself), find a comparable NRC app and a playlist I want to listen to and start off into the open and let my head wander into the clouds...
Yes that sounds about like me, I tend to get to a what's the power not stage, it's lucky I instructed Willow to encourage me or I might never get out, once he said " it's your choice" " go or don't" and I explained that wasn't very encouraging then went anyway, I'm planning more running in retirement
Another great post Sola, you’re always so descriptive - I’m not sure I ever remember that much detail about my runs! Well done on running for the whole of your run - doesn’t matter how long it took, we snails embrace that ladylike slower pace! And what a star that Willow is!
Oh that does sound a tough run but you still came back stronger! Love that you have a cup of tea waiting when you get back - great! It's hard when the weather is so miserable.
That is the longest and most detailed post I can remember seeing from you Sola! So “in the moment” and upbeat. Looks as though retirement agrees with you even though it hasn’t started yet! Demob Happy my Dad would have said, or basking in the light at the end of the tunnel; choose your own metaphor. Lovely to read; just need Willow sorted now 🙂
Good for you, your so right I have gremlins all the time about running but once I have got myself out and started running I am surprised how much I can do. Well done to you and on a very cold day.
Lots of the points resonate with me. These dark winter months have a dire effect on me (being a South African now living in the UK) but find the running adds a degree of positivity and now, despite the recent snow and temperature stop, there are the first signs of Spring. I wish I Iived on the coast even if the sea looks grey and uninviting.
Sounds like your run did the trick, congratulations on getting out there.I'm on the south coast too for a few days, it's so wet and uninviting my running shoes are still sitting in the car! I don't mind too much if it starts raining once I'm out there and warmed up, but I still can't make myself go out for a run if it's raining.
(Currently sitting inside the boat, heater running, listening to the rain on the roof, very cosy)
that’s so true !! I wake every morning with my hip aching and my side where my cyst is aching and usually a stuff neck for good measure …. Yet by the time I have got up, gone downstairs, fed the clowder and put the kettle on nothing aches anymore.
It’s just that lying there aching you don’t feel like doing anything. I made myself go out today too and so glad I did.
Well done on your run. I too feel as though I am really slow when I run but I am lapping everyone who is still on the couch
Yes I know you have 😊 your snail is speedier than when I first read your posts 3 years ago, I've got slower, I think mostly due to not running often enough so come end if April 😃😃😃 I'm really trying not to grin and say 6 weeks 3 days.. over and over 🤣🤣🤣 but it's hard not to count down I think yesterday my snail was carrying his sick bed but he didn't give up xx
I loved reading your run report. What a brilliant comment too - do what you can and be proud. It's so easy to criticise ourselves, rather than recognise that we have got out and ran. Well done on your great run. A brilliant start to the day 😃
Thank you so much, I worry that I ramble on a bit but I get back all excited that I did it and I think anyone who has left the couch to go out and run should be proud
I don't know how I managed to miss this post, I think there's something wrong with my email alerts. Anyway, what an amazing post! And well done on that 6.45k!! I love the message about being proud of what we achieve, whatever that is. Much in keeping with the 'celebration' theme of the guided run I did yesterday 😃👏👏👏
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
x
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?