Run the run you can.

[MissUnderstanding]

It’s been a bit of a week and to crown it all off, my crown fell off last night meaning a trip to the emergency dentist today. I’m not a lover of the dentist (to put it mildly!) so I decided to distract myself, I’d run before Pilates then head straight to the appointment with no time in between to wind myself up.

The run almost didn’t happen. I faffed around for ages and arrived at the leisure centre much later than planned (this seems to happen every week!). I almost decided there was no point running because all the ones on the NRC 10k schedule looked too long. I heard Coach B in my head telling me that “when you can’t run the run you want, run the run you can” so I counted my walk to the lockers to dump my bag as the warm up and just set off for as long as I had before the class. Such a good decision.

It was freezing out this morning and I almost regretted not wearing gloves or a jacket, opting for my favourite long sleeved t shirt instead. Five minutes in, I was thinking about going back and getting them but suddenly I warmed up and was glad not to be carrying them. The mist made the usually unattractive setting (an old concrete runway with a few sad looking trees!) look spookily nicer.

The run turned into one of those runs where you fall into a rhythm and totally forget you’re running. It was what I wanted to feel like all the way through Couch to 5k. I was listening to a podcast about women’s feelings of vulnerability while out running which seemed appropriate for International Women’s Day. It’s a shame so many of us have to think about our safety instead of just our run kit as we go out.

Somehow or other, I managed thirty minutes at a really chilled effort before I needed to stop. Just a time on feet run really but it felt like a big win and totally distracted me from the dental worries. My garmin is super happy with me, which means we’re probably due a huge falling out soon. I arrived at Pilates with a couple of minutes to spare and got a bit of kudos from some of my class mates for having exercised already! I felt quite smug. The class was a great stretch out for today’s run and great strength training to keep me going on my future runs.

It wasn’t a particularly picturesque run, but I’ve got a really lovely view of it looking back. Running can really be the best stress buster! And I’m pleased to report my crown is back in place. Happy days!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Huge Well done to you...on ALL levels!!! A super run and dental job done...on you go! Xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you!! It’s been a busy but positive day-and I’m sure having a good run was what set the tone. So glad I did it. Even if it had ended up as a very short one, I still think that would have been worth it. That ticks off my third run of the week and being on track is such a nice feeling. Xx

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Well done MissUnderstanding ! "Defy the dentist" t-shirt? 😉 xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

🤣 Guilty as charged!

[Annieapple]

🍏 I thought you might run the run you can away from the dentist! 🤣Well done on getting your 3 runs in this week In spite of a busy week, dental problems & your classes. Yes we run the run we can but it still takes a determination of sorts to get the trainers on & get out there! So kudos 👍 from me too! ❤️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you! Running away did cross my mind a fair few times while I was waiting to go in! 🤣. It’s amazing how massive a gap feels while you're waiting for it to be fixed. That overruled my instinct to run off!!

Getting those runs in has partly been due to the quest-having said in public I was going to do my three runs, I really wanted to report back that I had! They’ve all been very different but I’ve genuinely enjoyed them all.

[CBDB Graduate10]

Fabulously well done. And I’m with you on dentists!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thank you! It’s such a relief to have it sorted so quickly. This time yesterday I was still sobbing in the kitchen holding the offending crown in my hand. 🤣

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

❤️

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Gosh you're brave! I've tried this sort of run, but I'm so scared of the dentist I just can't distract myself. Swap my dentist for yours?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

It’s taken a really long time to get to the point where I can go on my own. I didn’t go for over a decade because I found it so hard, but when you’ve got a broken tooth, there’s no way of avoiding it! I am super lucky to have a lovely dentist who is really patient with me!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

You are very lucky. I had a fabulous dentist who was patient with me, but she was so good they persuaded her to go into teaching new dentist, which she does 3 or 4 days a week, so she's booked up for about three years!. The replacement is good, but I've already had a bad experience with her, so I'm nervous of her. It's hard to find NHS dentists these days, so I feel I have to stick with her, and hope the old one comes back.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

I really hope it works out for you. Having a sympathetic dentist makes such a difference. Good luck 🤞

[Gthants 60minGraduate]

Almost perfect - terrific effort to finagle yourself into run, pilates AND emergency dentistry. Strange how a seemingly unappetising run can turn into something greater than the sum of its parts. Bravo!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

Thank you! It’s amazing how often that happens. Maybe it’s the lack of any sort of expectation for a good run that brings the magic!

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Dentists have always been my nemesis absolutely loathe it ! As a child I would scream the place down it’s never been a happy place not even going there with the financial cost 😱 but you did it and you ran, as you say a run is better than no run, well done you and completing your quest.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you! I’m definitely going to be doing more of the “I can’t run for as long as I’d like but I can still run” runs!! I’m very glad that today looks to be much calmer. Have a lovely weekend ❤️

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Well done MissUnderstanding on your three runs and really happy your sorted with the dentist👍🥰xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you! It was a bit of a bonkers day yesterday but everything got done and seemed to work out. I was much happier getting to sleep knowing today is an easier day!

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Enjoy!😂😂xx

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10]

Beautiful story, MissUnderstanding , I almost felt like I was next to you (or maybe it's just that I am putting off going out for a run right now... 🤣)

What podcast were you listening to? It sounds interesting! Tina Muir had a Women's Day special on her Running for Real podcast but it had too much "leaning in" I ended up skipping it (I've got allergic to that idea after Sheryl Sandberg leaned into it too much...)

Okay, off I go to Pilates for Runners for my pre-run Foot Calf and Ankles 10 minutes. Oh, wait, before I go, if you aren't already, do follow us over at Strength & Flex for March MATness! Here's week 2: healthunlocked.com/strength...

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

it was a Runner’s World podcast from a few weeks ago…

play.acast.com/s/the-runner...

The UK is a relatively safe place from a global perspective, ranking 34th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index. But when it comes to running, UK women are over twice as the global average to feel unsafe. In this episode, we’re joined by three female Runner’s World journalists – Jen Bozon, Ali Ball and Rachel Boswell – to find out why that might be, and where some of the solutions lie.

I enjoyed it although it was a bit depressing,

Pilates for Runners sounds great. I’ll check out the March Matness too! I’m away next week and running might be tricky. I reckon I could do some Pilates in a hotel room!

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks, MissUnderstanding ! Sounds interesting, especially after having run the (virtual) Secret 3K on Wednesday, which raises awareness about the fact that some women aren't even allowed to run! There's still so much to change!!!

You can definitely do some Pilates from the Matness in a hotel room! Most of the exercise posts have standing variations 😎

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Fab run and so impressive that you fitted it in before Pilates!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you! I often run first thing Friday-if works really well because I can park at the leisure centre and take advantage of the flat area just beyond to do some intervals. Most of my usual runs are hilly (which I love) but just for those sorts of faster runs, it’s nice to have more predictable ground underfoot. It worked nicely for a chilled run too!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

I'm totally with you on not liking going to the dentist. In fact I have to confess that is over 2 years since I went. I'm very impressed that you could manage to run, do Pilates and the dentist all in one day! Go you!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Thank you! I think all the busyness really helped stop me stressing too much before the dentist. Pilates post run works well for me because the timings are great and it’s a nice stretch as well as some strength. I sometimes swim or do yoga after running too. It’s nice to mix it up!

[Madwife60]

absolutely. I’m limping back from some chest virus and 2k felt like 100 last week- I’m about to head out with no goal in mind - just do what I can.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Madwife60]

Oh poor you! Glad you’re feeling better. You’ve got a great plan for your comeback run. Just take it steady and whatever you do will be a win. I often use the Nike Run Club guided run called Coneback run (!!) which is 15 minutes long, with mental permission to stop earlier if I need to. Really good luck to you 🤞

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

Oh well done on all accounts, good logical thinking, that obviously paid off, that's definitely a win! 💪💪

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[Madwife60]

Plan A didn’t work so well. Back on the wheezy couch feeling dreadful again. Too much too soon 🤣

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Madwife60]

Oh no! Rest up and you’ll be back out there when you’re ready. Sending sympathy your way! ❤️❤️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Buffeting high winds and ice apart…I don’t think that UK weather matters much after the first 1k. As you say, we find a rhythm, sometimes with the help of a coach’s voice in our ear, and the elements can do what they like. We can stay in the zone.

I am in comeback mode after injury and physio. It feels much better thanks to my physio’s magic, if steely, fingers! Another 3k yesterday…because that was the run I could do; no pain. I have been introduced to new exercises too; a Happy Baby! I managed it last night.That is what I like about my physio; she just treats me like a runner…not a 72 year old !

I have a wisdom tooth appointment in the second week in April; lots of nice runs before then, so no need to think about it!