W8R3 at last....

[Scruffy64]

I started W8 two weeks ago, all fine, then went out with the original group I started this programme with on a very hot and humid night, it was horrible, I mostly walked because I just couldn't breathe (asthma). Was this really the same woman who claimed to have reached the end of week 7 ?! I think I nearly lost my running mojo, managed r2 last weekend but it wasn't great, and didn't even try again until this morning; but I think I may have clawed it back a bit today. So much cooler and fresher, and I can breathe again and it felt much better.

Thanks to all of the encouragement from the posts and contributors here, I will get there, and I'm starting to understand that unexpected dips and 'practice' runs are all part of learning to run and also that I'm much better running on my own . I even got a thumbs up and a big grin from a proper speedy fit runner today, and that felt good

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done. Of course you will get there.

Running is as much understanding your own body and mental state - and then finding your own way forward.

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you

[Irish-John Graduate]

Ahem! You ARE a "proper speedy Runner" though You run, you are a darn sight faster than the inhabitants of Couchland and the other Runner was acknowledging that you are one of the Tribe now

Well done you !

[Scruffy64 Graduate]

Well maybe, but as he disappeared ahead (and it is a dead straight route being an old railway line) I couldn't help but envy his speed and lack of wheezing!!! Thanks Irish-John

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

Nahhh - he probably just made it around the next corner, collapsed blue in the face and gasping like a locomotive while relaxing his stomach muscles to let the true enormous dimensions of his belly show and hoped he had impressed the hot chick who was fast approaching be hind him

[stewieUK Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

So you do that as well Irish-John !

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to stewieUK]

Hee hee!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to stewieUK]

Constantly Stewie It's the difference between Judging and appreciating the finer things in life

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Oh my God, I'm actually laughing so hard I can barely type - hot chick?!?! Thank you Irish-John for giving me the best laugh for ages!!!!!!!!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

Listen - we are all bloody AWESOME here We only laugh at those who are still on the couch and who have the idiocy to laugh at US

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

True! Still can't believe I'm doing this and that I bought a bloody expensive pair of running shoes last weekend!

[melly4012 Graduate]

Yes, we all have bad runs. A good run often follows though! It's such a head game I find. Sometimes if I'm feeling confident I get caught out but if I'm anticipating a struggle it's often not as bad as I expected. Recognition from those very serious real looking runner people always feels great too! Enjoy your graduation week!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to melly4012]

AAAAAGH!!!!! I'm going to blow a gasket the next time any of 'US' refers to any of 'THEM' as 'PROPER' Runners!

Sheer discrimination and totally offensive language!!

WE ARE ALL RUNNERS! I bet 'those runners' are just as 'improper' as us!

DOWN WITH APART-IED.

WE ALL RUN TOGETHER Runners of the world unite - we have nothing to lose except our excess weight!

Of course anyone who smirks at us however, should be strangled with their own elastic toggle-equipped shoe laces....that's only right and proper.!... (if we can catch up with them that is )

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Ha! Ok, maaaaybe I should have put 'proper runner' in inverted commas. You all know what I mean though! Those people who looked like they came out of the womb running. In my eyes there IS a distinction between us and them. WE have all worked REALLY hard for this, working against our builds, ages, lifestyles, medical conditions, etc, etc. Not to say that they don't work hard also but, as we know, some people have to work harder at some things than others.

Just like on the forum where we get encouragement from others who have more experience and who have been doing it longer, it's nice to get that encouragement from people who have very obviously been doing it longer than us out in the field.

Once I reached a bottle neck of people along the seafront and, having just been overtaken by a VERY beautiful, tanned, muscular man, he stepped back with a flash of his perfect smile and motioned for me to go through ahead of him with a wink and a thumbs up. Still living off of that moment!

Of course, those smirkers who exist do deserve our pity for their clear lack of self esteem leading them to laugh at us and our efforts!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to melly4012]

Yep - some are born with the genetically silver spoon

[curlyann Graduate]

Awesome that you're on week 8. Some days the weather really doesn't help. I'm not as far as you yet but have discovered that I like cooler days and don't mind at all if it's a bit damp. Keep going. You will get there. Shall look forward to seeing how you're doing 😊.

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to curlyann]

Thank you - cooler is definitely better, you'll be there right behind me finishing soon