An great afternoon out with some sound advice from knowledgeable people.

[Realfoodieclub]

I had a great day yesterday. I came home from watching a football match with my husband in the pub with some fantastic advice for my running.

I am finding since taking up the running baton that words of wisdom come at the most unexpected times. I knew there would be conversations about running as we were going to meet up with my husbands physio and his friends to watch the game, and at the moment my main topic of conversations is running and triathlon. I am a bit obsessed at the moment as it's only 9 weeks to race day.

I had been out for a 5km run in the morning. I am still finding these a bit of a struggle. I did my 5km in 46. Min. Which meant yesterdays run was 3 min slower than the last time.

Any way back to yesterday afternoon, the group of people I ended up being surrounded by yesterday afternoon was one physio, one lady who does half ironman and one gentleman who does full ironman triathlons. There was so much knowledge and enthusiasm it was fantastic. I got lots of tips and encouragement.

The main thing I got was their universal agreement that sports people. (And yes that everyone of us here now, no matter what week your in, or speed or time or distance) we all have to listen to our bodies. I was complaining that my speed wasn't very good and they all said does it matter???? Your body needs to do its own thing. If it wants to go at that speed don't stop it, thats what it needs. These people were so in tune with their bodies you could tell by the way they talked about how they train. They knew the difference between pushing to get better and going easy because the body was a bit fragile.

I was reminded by all of them that even though I learnt to run last year with this great program, I had had years of ill health before, I was told that my body was still learning to recover, so treat it with respect. It will do everything I want it to do but at its own pace.

I will probably hold the record for the slowest super sprint triathlon but I will treat this body with the respect it deserves.

Like this forum, I love the fact that one topic unites so many people on all the different levels.

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

That makes so much sense Rfc and thanks for posting this and giving me ( and others ) us a chance to consider what this means for us as individuals. I know I was pushing myself to go faster and longer before I became ill in April but after almost 3 months off I am moving back up in time and distance but at a much easier pace. I guess similarly it's about recognising my body has been through a lot and wanting this running to be a support not a drain .

By the way your new photo is lovely, very glam and retro x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to lizziebeth57]

Awww thank you. . Slow and steady as they say wins the race.

[Lovefood1984 Graduate]

Great advice, we always seem to compare ourselves to others, 'why can't I run as fast as x, as long as x' etc. things are so much better when we listen to our bodies and do as much as they can manage perhaps I won't get so paranoid about my pace next time I'm out x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Lovefood1984]

Definitely not worth getting paranoid about. Should be about having fun. Happy running

[Nilzed]

We modern folks are used to being relatively healthy. It seems odd to us to read about people in the past spending weeks in bed, actually IN bed, when recovering from illness or injury. And months longer avoiding exertion and being treated as an ill person. Which was the way of things still not even so long ago. Only recently was it decided that being up and about was (often) the better way to a faster and stronger recovery.

But i guess we need to remember that being up and about is not the same as BEING recovered.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Nilzed]

Like you say we live in different times but some things just have to run their course. Its easy to become a want it now culture.

[paul2014 Graduate]

Sound advice from people who obviously know their stuff. Good luck with your tri

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Thank you. I'm putting the work in, but most of all I'm having fun.

[I_will Graduate]

How great to be able to talk with people like that, and encouraging.

I really like this forum too, it's so upbeat and it always picks me up. Positive attitude is everything, but knowing what your body needs and balancing it with pushing yourself to the best you can be is challenging but interesting.

Not that I'll ever be a top athlete, but running is such a good and far reaching thing.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to I_will]

I think that's the beauty of running, we don't have to be top athletes to get the benefits and enjoyment from it

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to I_will]

I'll never be a top athlete but I'm enjoying pretending that I am. I love the feeling of outdoor exercise, it's new and fun.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I agree

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

What excellent advice. Thanks for sharing! You'll trounce the rest of us in the Discombobulated Tri !!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Don't be so sure. I'm definetly on the tortoise side of things. I just have a really stubborn side, with a bit of mad hatter thrown in for good measure.

[waletta Graduate]

It's what everyone tries to advise on hear but isn't it reassuring to hear it from the professionals? Thanks RFC.