W4r2 - difference between reasons and excuses

[JaySeeSkinny]

Just completed W4R2. Was not as light-footed and elfen-like (!) as I felt during the first run of week 4. Couldn't speed up at the end of the last 5 minutes like last time, but it was very windy and against me. On the other hand I completely underestimated my half way point and had to wander around a bit at the end to complete the podcast - which means I'm getting faster and covering more distance.😊 I wish Laura would tell us when we were half way, but otherwise I'm very happy to have her accompany me.

But really I think I probably shouldn't have run. I was out late last night, too much food and drink. And in order to counteract the effects I walked home (9 km) at midnight. Meant I ended up doing 20 km yesterday (all walking - wasn't a running day). And not in the best shoes. Consequently my legs felt very stiff this morning, I was tired and my toes are sore. I probably hadn't given myself enough rest, thereby increasing the risk of injury.

So where is the line between reasons and excuses for not doing something? My husband draws the line differently from me. I'm not a risk taker, but he probably thinks I am. For instance:

I run in the dark on my own (a woman alone in the park at 6 am)

Yesterday I walked 9 km on my own, partly through parks at midnight. There weren't many people around. I mostly kept to main roads, but there were 2 points where I was feeling nervous myself. I walked VERY fast there!

I'd be mad to do it in London. But Munich is extremely safe, I have never felt threatened in 30 years. And I was at Leeds university when the Yorksire Ripper was on the rampage, now that was threatening! And if I didn't do these things in the dark I wouldn't do them at all. Is the danger a reason or an excuse? If I hadn't run today would my fear of injury have been a valid reason or just a pathetic excuse for being a couch potato? Sometimes I find it very difficult to distinguish.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Blimey, I'd definitely say you're a risk-taker. Not just for running the morning after walking 20k -(how could you not think this would impact on your readiness to run????) but also because you were walking alone after midnight. It's wonderful that Munich is a safe place, but accidents do happen. It's easy to trip or slip in the dark- actually it's easy to trip or slip anytime as I know to my cost (I broke my ankle tripping over in my own kitchen!) If you'd tripped and hurt yourself after midnight, would there have been anyone to help you?

I don't have a problem with early morning running though -I've always worked on the principle that weirdos, psychos and baddies probably don't get up very early!!

It's fantastic that you're enjoying your running, but do be mindful of your personal safety. At the very least alway take a phone with you, and you could consider getting a pocket attack alarm. They're light, cheap and could be a life saver. Take care m'dear.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Hmmm, maybe I am bonkers! BUT: Always have my phone with me, always aware of my personal safety and the areas I walk mostly have street-lighting. If I'd tripped at the worst possible place it would have been 300m from houses or roads, and I could just as easily trip on my morning jogs and be in the same situation. In fact, as you said, I could trip anywhere. I wasn't walking through any dodgy areas either. Calculated risk. I'm sick of excuses for not exercising, so maybe I'm going to the other extreme.

I will take care - you too!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Sorry, didn't mean to offend. I read the part about you walking on your own through parks at midnight, and about the 2 points where you were feeling very nervous, and imagined my teenage daughters taking similar risks. Obviously you're an adult and free to make whatever choices you feel appropriate about your personal safety. I too was in the Leeds area during the time of the Yorkshire Ripper -it was indeed a bad time.

I think my point is basically that sometimes the reasons for postponing exercising are legitimate and not merely excuses.

Stay save

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Sorry, only just seen your post. I wasn't offended - just gave me food for thought. I wouldn't like my teenage daughters doing it (if I had any), so you're right!