That was 5k

[SueAppleRun]

I love a plan, I'd been planning for retirement for the 3 months notice I had to give and long before that and we all know how well that one went! So we went to Devon, my beautiful, clever daughter and I. We ate great food, swam in a warm pool, talked a lot and slept a lot. We went to Crediton and stood by the place I was born, and I planned for coming home, yesterday we came home.

The plan starts this morning with 5k. So later than hoped off I went, I set up the Rungo app and the 1k try out rout thing. I set up music, I set NRC 5k Headstarts and during the warm up walk I remembered to set up my watch.

I'm running along, enjoying myself and there's the odd ding through my earbuds, messages, I just carried on running, then the phone rang!!! In trying to stop it I inadvertently answered it and it was someone who wants to pop round next Tuesday.

That completely out me off my stride, I'd wanted to run the whole thing, so grumbling in my head I ran again, and carried on to the seafront. Turned at just over 2.5k, sang along to the music, realised I was going really slow so upped the pace a little. Thought about my form as I realised I was just lolloping along in a slobby way.

It was hard, it was warm, sky was grey, I felt miserable for a lot of this run but I learned a lot. I've mostly been walking or doing C25K with my neighbour, where we chatter as we go but....I haven't run much alone. Lately, I haven't gone at my pace, just me and my music and emotions. I'm a bit of a wreck and am constantly disappointed in my pace, but I will keep going and keep running and when I can I will keep smiling. I finished this run stronger so am pleased I went.

Good luck anyone running the HUHM & 10K at the weekend I will cover 10k and may Jeff and will be very slow but it's a great thing to be part of.

And this grey sky can go away now please

[PeggySusi]

Glad you had fun in Devon with your beautiful, clever daughter.. creating some new memories. Sorry, but not surprised to read that you are miserable a lot of the time.

What I understood from your post is that your solo run allowed you to be miserable in peace for some of the time, but also to be happy alone at your own pace for some of the time? It will take a while, but I hope the proportions of happiness will increase, little by little, step by step.. sending hugs.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Thank you so much, yes, I felt really miserable but then I felt happier just to be out running on my own, much as I love walking and running with my neighbour it's lots of chatter and very upbeat, lots of well dones and you are amazings, so it felt really strange to be just me, but that's the sort of running I like the best really, and it does release some of my pent up emotions because I have to be ok in front of others as much as possible.I think even though I will continue to run with my neighbour I will take a couple of runs per week for me

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to SueAppleRun]

Peggysusi has put her finger on it. I love running with a buddy, but when I'm going through stuff, I need to get out on my own sometimes. My mind can let go of things and feels emptied and clearer somehow. (The inside of my head can be a very noisy place sometimes!)Sometimes it's the run we need ❤️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Yes that's what it is, I like the Headstarts ones too because if I find myself getting really maudlin in he pops with some good advice and a question, I do feel better for it.

[Week7 Graduate10]

Pleased you had a successful run. Hopefully the smiley will gradually become more frequent. Looking forward to running the 10k alongside you on Sunday_ just love the thought of us all plodding along together!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

Thanks, me too, I remember doing the last one with a friend. It looking forward to running alone in reality and all together virtually this time

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Early days .You will get there.

"See" you on Sunday!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

Yes 👍

[Roxdog Graduate10]

It's nice to run/walk with family and friends, but maybe that solo run was good for you in many ways, despite feeling miserable, as you have a lot to process. Retirement, even without the recent sad events, is a challenge and to keep motivated to run and enjoy the scenery is so positive. I think you're amazing.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you, I just want to run so that I don't sit and be miserable, I know it'll fade as the happy things arrive, I'm ok with others, learning to be ok on my own

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Of course and it will take time. Being on your own while running is a good start I expect. I've just seen your post about building in more lone runs and that seems a good idea.

[Doris8 Graduate10]

well done . Glad you enjoyed your trip to Devon, pampering and relaxation time. Sometimes you need times alone to reflect and let our your emotions instead of bottling things up. Good luck on Sunday 10 km finger crossed for you. X

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Doris8]

Thank you x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

A lovely holiday and a lovely daughter and a lovely YOU run too

Me time is so important... it is when we sort and settle... you need it... even if you cry all the way through it..

Looking forward to running my 10K with you... mine will be, as ever, slow and steady x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Your slow and steady is way faster than my fast as I can Floss but I will enjoy it and if I beat my last 10k time by even 3 seconds I'll be happy x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Me too my friend... x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’m glad you had a nice time with your daughter WillowandSola. I love Devon at this time of the year. I think you are right to have a mix of runs with others when you can chat away and time just disappears and solo runs when you are free to have your own thoughts.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

definitely make time for solo runs. You’re fortunate to be able to do both! The solo runs allows you to process everything in your head, but I know you enjoy coaching your neighbour, too!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you Jools, solo runs are valuable I'm lucky to have both

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes! I would like a running partner sometimes. Maybe when I get to run in the Parkruns I’ll meet someone local.

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate]

Glad you had a good break with your daughter, you are certainly lucky to have her, and she you. Everything takes time and we all go at our own pace. That includes running! 🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

Very true

[Coddfish Graduate10]

glad you had a lovely break and are finding space to run. Those phone call interrupts are something of a nuisance when running.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Coddfish]

They certainly are

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

It sounds a lovely time you and your daughter have spent together 🥰

Sometimes you just need those lone runs to give yourself some headspace - almost always finish a run feeling more positive ☺️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Dendev75]

Yes thats it

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Being around people, especially those you love is wonderful. But sometimes you just need that space to be alone and the time to process your emotions. Running certainly gave me that when I needed it most. 🤗

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes you are right, running and walking are helping

[Killerblue Graduate10]

Well done for going out there on your own as doing this isn’t easy for a lot of people at the best of times 👍🏃‍♀️ keep moving 🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Killerblue]

Will do thanks

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

That was a delightful read Sola. Well done on completing the 5k at a run despite the phone call break. Good luck with your 10k HUHM too and to all the others taking it on.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks Brian, I've looked back at my 10k runs and each one is slower than the one before so I might be out all day but the weather is looking good for tomorrow 🙂

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Take a packed lunch if I were you 😂 Seriously though I am sure you’ll be fine, as you say the weather is going to be nicer than we’ve had for a while. I’m sitting here in my room all kitted up for my race at 1.15 today. Feeling a bit nervous, but that’s ok. I’ll be fine and it’ll all be over in a few seconds.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Oh best of luck, we will all be speeding you on, at least you won't need to take a packed lunch 😃 and let us know how it goes, your running is amazing

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, Sola Here’s to a successful run today 🤞🙏

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

I shall be waving my imaginary pom poms

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Devon sounds lovely and so does your daughter 😊. I enjoyed running with my running buddy as it was a good social time and motivating, but I find running alone helps me to clear my head of everything and zone out into blissful nothingness, which is a blessed relief sometimes.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Devon was wonderful, my daughter is always a surprise, through all the recent weeks she's been really supportive and just what I've needed, practical and there

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

That’s really good to hear 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Lovely photo and a lovely write up! That made me smile this morning! Really good luck with the HU 10K! Pom poms waving!!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, and you made me smile