W2R3. Forgive me while I have a little boast... :D

[Niggit]

I'm beginning to think there's something in the podcasts that infects your brain with a running virus. Or something. Because if you'd told me, this time last year, that I would be four stone lighter, a member of a gym, AND taking up running, AND enjoying it, I'd probably have laughed at you. 

I was going to have my run yesterday afternoon, but I'm a registered bat carer for the Bat Conservation Trust, and I got my first call out of the year just after lunch, so didn't make it (it was a little female pipistrelle found in somebody's bathroom - she's doing well, eating and drinking, but she's got a couple of holes in her wing membrane which need to heal before I can release her). Then I was going to run in the evening instead, but we had such torrential rain and hail I didn't think I'd get more than a few yards before I got battered flat onto the pavement! But the thing was, I was absolutely champing at the bit to get going - I was dying to get out for my run!

I actually did it this morning, and it was lovely.  I had the rec to myself, it was cool, damp and a little bit misty, and while to say I was sailing along is a bit of an exaggeration, I did enjoy it. I'm actually looking forward to W3R!!

And I went to the gym later on for an eight weekly review. The girl who was doing it hadn't seen me for weeks, and as I was following her to the office she kept turning round and saying, "Oh my god, I can't believe how tiny you are!" Tiny is a bit of an exaggeration, but it did make me feel good!

I know there will be runs that aren't so good, and days when I struggle.  And I really admire, and am inspired by, all the posts I read on here from people who've had a really tough time but are carrying on regardless. But at the moment I feel fantastic!!

[LessToLose Graduate]

You have done so well and off to a great start as a runner - rock on W3!

[Niggit in reply to LessToLose]

Thankyou so much! I hope I'm not eating my words by this time next week...

[Hidden]

Well done on all counts  

You are probably right about the subliminal messages in the program  

[Niggit in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou! I wouldn't be at all surprised... One of the things I won't miss about Week 2 was the music that was played for the five minute warmup walk. The tempo was all wrong for me and I kept messing up my walking rhythm trying to fit in with it! 

Maybe we should try playing some of the music backwards?

[vivster Graduate]

Brilliant. And I love that you're a bat carer!

[Niggit in reply to vivster]

Thankyou very much! I do feel very privileged to do it. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking, but when you release a bat you've nursed back to health and see it do a couple of circuits to get its bearings and then fly back to its roost - it's an amazing feeling.

[Rhedwr Graduate]

Fantastic!  Hold that memory until the next one comes... There will be lots of these moments.  🏃

Very pleased to hear the little bat is doing ok too 😊

[Niggit in reply to Rhedwr]

Oh, I do hope so!  Thankyou - I will pass your good wishes on to her

[misswobble Graduate]

Your comment about being battered flat on the pavement reminded me of this:-

youtube.com/watch?v=OTHRg_i...(Not working as expected?)

I absolutely love this and run to it often.  

Oh yeah there is a running virus!  We all have it but resistance is futile. Just go with it and see where it takes you, just roll over and accept it.  

Bats are fascinating aren't they!  I hope your rescue one is better soon and can rejoin his mates.  Where would we be without animal volunteers. Great job! 

[Niggit in reply to misswobble]

Great track! I'm looking forward to putting my own running tracks together.  All these years I've assumed I was immune to the virus, but there must be a particularly virulent strain on the podcast!

And thankyou for your kind comments. Yes, bats are fascinating!

[jt24 Graduate]

What a great post

Maybe there are subliminal voices in Laura's cheesy music lol!

I know that I hated her and the music with a vengeance in weeks 5 and 6 and yet come week 8 and 9  I actually found myself enjoying it!

(Glad to hear the wee bat's doing well Our old house had a maternity colony which was fabulous )

Glad to hear the bug is biting. Yes, you will have a few rubbish runs but hey, they're still 'enjoyable' in their own way. Any run is better than being sat on your bum

Well done, keep going

[Niggit in reply to jt24]

Aw, thankyou!  It's lovely that you were pleased to have the maternity roost in your old house - not everybody is so pleased...

And yes, however slowly I'm going, I'm still going faster than if I hadn't started running at all!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Well done... and a poorly bat definitely counts as a reason to postpone a bit. I think we'll need an update on both of you.

[Niggit in reply to GoogleMe]

Thankyou! W3R1 tomorrow, so an update is looming (for both of us)...

[MarlyParly Graduate]

Well done on the increases in fitness, weight loss & also for looking after bats, I am impressed on all fronts! Super inspiring post, thank you, & keep going! Well, you have to, you're addicted now! X

[Niggit in reply to MarlyParly]

Thankyou - I was worried I sounded a bit conceited, so you've made me very happy!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Fabulous post... what a great job to have ..bat carer... wonderful! I have a friend who is a registered Owl carer..!

You are doing brilliantly.. weight loss, gym and running! 

I love it when i get out early. i always run first thing.. did it through all the autumn/winter weather before Graduating just before Christmas..it was amazing. I can just see you in the early mist. Lovely!

Slow and steady as you go

[Niggit in reply to Oldfloss]

Thankyou so much!

[Katnap Graduate]

Yay! Keep up the good work 😸

And the running 👟👟👟