After an unpromising start.......

[AncientMum]

Trying to build back up to 30minutes running after my 2weeks on the injury couch so set off today with Laura and the w9 podcast to keep me company. It was horrible! Despite Julie and Laura's best efforts I definitely wasn't feeling the love today. Almost 5minutes in with ragged breathing and the traitor voice in my head telling me to give up, I knew if Laura so much as opened her mouth to tell me I'd run for 5minutes and should be settled into a good pace, I'd want to give her a metaphorical punch in the head (we not so AncientMums can get a bit tetchy sometimes!)

Decided my only hope was to ditch Laura and leave her sitting on the roadside, so switched over to my own music, relaxed into it and felt the love flowing back.

Have no idea how long I ran for because I didn't take a watch but I managed 5.2k before I thought I probably aught to stop.

Equilibrium restored! No more thoughts of violence towards poor dear sweet Laura who's seen me through so many weeks of running. It's not you Laura, it's me. I just need some time on my own. Suspect I'm going to start obsessing about running playlists now!

Happy running folks, with or without Laura

[paul2014 Graduate]

Fantastic! Well done. What a fabulous result.

I still don't know who this Julie is. I thought I read somewhere that she makes an appearance in w8 but I've completed w8 r1 and r2 but not been introduced so far!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Oh Paul are you listening to the podcasts or the app? You and Julie is a song that plays on w8 and w9. It gets into your head, makes itself at home, moves all your mental furniture and then demands squatters rights. If you'd heard it you'd know lol

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Ah, right. I'm just using the app on my iPad so that's probably why we haven't been introduced. Mind you, that may be a good thing by the sound of it

[Fitfor60 Graduate]

Sometimes best runs are when you have no pressure of time or distance to complete Just go with the flow and enjoy . I still find first 5-10 mins awful It's not that I don't like the start of a run more I sometimes almost hate it - really struggle with breathing . I used to question why I was running at all but not really a problem now I accept that's how it's going to be but then I know it will get better- and it always does. New music sounds good plan

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Fitfor60]

It's a long time since I've felt quite as bad at the beginning of a run as I did today. Like you say, it's never easy, but arrrrgh today was the worst. Still, every run is a learning experience, and today I've learned that I am capable of 'thought-punching' when provoked. Lol Perhaps I need to adopt your more Zen 'accept and get on with it' philosophy. Cheers m'dear.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

well done, that sounded tough, but you got there

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you. It was nothing compared with your recent triumphs but a small victory for a newbie

[AncientMum Graduate]

Fingers, toes and legs crossed that your tentative 3k is injury and achy bit free. Have you got any flat bits round your way that you could run, to ease yourself back in? Ever since I discovered M_Y was actively seeking out hills in preference to a tow path, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only person who's been actively avoiding them. Good luck

[Treemouse Graduate]

Isn't it amazing what our own music can do for us?! I'm so glad you found the love GM, because it's certainly flowing for you here! I know how you felt, because that was me on my last run. You did it, you pressed on, and you ignored the head gremlins...well done, and a big pat on the back. The next run will be easier, I hope, for us injury couchers, and to be honest, we did scoff too much Vimto, D&B, Walnut Whips and Sherbert Dip Dabs! Have a great weekend and next week is full of potential!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Treemouse]

Thank you so much Sweetie. Yes the injury couchers certainly know how to party but my waistline and, to be honest, the enamel on my teeth, couldn't take much more of KittyKat's hospitality. What with that and Dozzer's graduation dos, I'm thinking a week or two of lemon tea and rice cakes may be in order. Maybe war time rations would do the trick. Now remind me, what did you have to eat at your D Day dinner??

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done Epic Mum ! Upwards all the way now , so glad youre back on track xxx

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you Poppy m'dear. Have to confess to a little nap this afternoon - not the running to blame obviously, just too many parties on here recently

[poppypug Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Yes ha ha ! We are 24 hour party people That's when Im not in bed for 10 o clock most nights snoring my nut off xxx

[AncientMum Graduate]

Yep, chubby, toothless and probably incapacitated with laughter. (Good tip about the knees Knee Guru, I'll give it a go)

[AncientMum Graduate]

If I lift 'em too high I'll knee myself in the boobs! Ouch

[AncientMum Graduate]

Lol