"Everyday is a winding road - I get a little bit closer"

[lightweightkate]

My last run was Sunday -- my epic 40 minute run - and although I have had great intentions, it's been a helluva week - work has been mad and I've been travelling up and down the country sitting in traffic jams and working long hours....at home this week I had news that my father is in hospital with surgery in Spain, my step father has just been diagnosed with cancer and father-in-laws dementia is worsening....life eh 😩

Today was beautiful and I just had to get out even though I felt tired, so I laced up those running shoes and set off. I thought we had a drop in temperature but it felt hot and the sun was beating down.

Laura and I started off along the boardwalk and up the steep hill - 10 mins in I felt exhausted - feet made out of concrete blocks and achey calves which I haven't had in a while. However one of my downhill tracks was coming up so I trotted off down there to the flat and then stopped - legs really felt like jelly - walked for 2 minutes

Then I thought to myself NO! This is really not what you have been trying to achieve all these months - Get running girl! So I gritted my teeth, broke into a trot and actually that felt better then the walk 😂

Ran along the flat, down under the trees and then half way up the hill and stopped again - aggggggg!! 😡

I stomped up the hill - hot and tired and a bit stroppy to be honest and when I got to the top I reminded myself of my last pledge about making this a fun thing to do 😮😂- whoops!

So, I pulled myself together and reminded myself of some of the positives as I walked back

1) I ran a total of 24 mins with a 2 minute walk somewhere in the middle today - in June that was completely impossible for me.

2) I completed more miles towards my charity run today.

3) I am running in the most beautiful place - how lucky am I?

4) I got off my backside and had a go 😀

5) I've only been doing this for 3 months - give yourself a break and stop being so competitive with yourself

I loved Sheryl Crow' s albums back in the day and this line came back to me (not sure it's what she had in mind when she wrote the lyric 😂) and I have to keep remembering that this is a journey; a twisty, turn-y journey and that I am still a novice and that I will get better and stronger and that each run will probably be unique for a while yet and that my last run was epic (to me), this was a bit pants and who knows what the next one will be.

What I do know is that I will be out there again probably Sunday to run again and that's quite a mind shift from me on the excercise front as when it comes to that I have always given up easily. I don't know what it is? Maybe my wake up chat from the Doc? Maybe I do actually enjoy it? Maybe I like the challenge? Maybe I like what I can see it doing to my body and my fitness levels?

Whatever it is, I'm keeping on running 🐢🏃😀

[Inspiredmum Graduate]

Well done on your run. It turned out differently to what you had in mind but nevertheless you went out there and ran for 24 minutes, well done!

I wish you well with the family and hope you find the escapism that I have in running x

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Inspiredmum]

I think I an starting to Inspiredmum - I find most of my runs hard but I generally feel great afterwards and that's my guilty pleasure 😀. It does clear the old brain and provide a feeling of freedom

[Ellymeg Graduate]

Great pic - lovely country to run in. Great post Kate, we expect so much of ourselves - it really does us good to just stop for a moment, turn around and see where we have come from, the view can be interesting and inspirational as yours was today - thank you.

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Ellymeg]

Thanks Ellymeg - I do expect so much and after my last run, I think they should all be as good. Not sure I can cure myself of that so will have ups and downs but I love that post run feeling 😀

[Ellymeg Graduate in reply to lightweightkate]

Some runs are a hot mess , some are good and some are great. Hey, you know I'll take that from where I was at the beginning of the year!

The stuff of life is still going to happen, but as you say, that post run feeling is just amazing, let's just enjoy that moment. X

[Lon70 Graduate]

Inspiring. Thank you

[Irish-John Graduate]

So many positives in there despite the bad news- very affirming to read, thank you

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

All part of life rich pattern - just all coming at once. Thanks 😀

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

Thank you for this. Today was supposed to be my graduation run, instead it turned into a run-in with a practice run (which I haven't had so far through the program!) 😉 Then I discovered I have actually gained weight when I was expecting to have lost some after 6 weeks of running....and it is not a gain of lean muscle mass but fat loss because I have before and after body composition analysis and I am still at 31% body fat!!!😣😣😣 So bad day over-all...but your post made me feel much better so thank you.

There are good days and bad, and there always will be! Just got to take it in our stride!

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Tryinghard2016]

You are so right. I flew on my last run and felt pants today 😀 Pls don't fret too much over your weight. Concentrate on the inches lost and how your are feeling rather than the numbers on your scales - Looking forward to hearing about your grad run. I'll be with you all the way.....go get that badge 🏃😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

I think that running does boost your mood, even a tough run, once its over you always feel happy you did something.

Well done Kate, sorry to hear some of your family members not doing so well.

Keep up the good work. x

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

So true Bluebirdrunner - I felt great today although I did have to have a hot bath for my aching muscles 😂.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done on turning the negatives into positives! Not every week goes as we would wish and not every run turns out to be great but we make the best of things and that brings a satisfaction of its own.

Draw enjoyment from your lovely surroundings - at least your run got you out there!

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

It sure did and I'm grateful for that

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Hi Kate, don't under estimate the energy taken from us when dealing with issues concerning our loved ones! I am speaking from past and ongoing experience as you know. So the fact you got out there is all that matters. Take some pressure off and just run freely, forget the goals other than running for you.

The distance will be there in your legs when you are ready as long as you keep getting out there when you can! Remember running is about you and for you, enjoy the challenges as much as the victories.

Im running alongside you as are others on this forum, we will help you up when you stumble but ultimately the achievements are all yours!

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Great words Millsie-J and ones I'll keep in mind on my next run. Great to be part of this community where you never feel alone on this quest/ journey 😀

[Jmiss Graduate]

So sorry ti hear about your family issues but do keep running...it will help with the stress levels that's for sure and you will need this escape from reality too. I suffer stress anyway and I too have had a lot to deal with in the past and wish I was running then because my stress levels since I started this 5k challenge have reduced beyond belief..it's so good for us in so many ways but....don't beat yourself up if some days you just can't be bothered or need to walk and run. You still made the effort. Fingers crossed for you all x

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Jmiss]

Thanks Jmiss - I will keep it up. I moan and find it hard but I do enjoy it and feel very motivated even after a bad run to get out there again 😀

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Well done on getting out there after a tough week - and don't underestimate the impact that emotional times can have on our running. Sometimes it results in a great run and sometimes a pants one! It's all miles on the clock and I truly believe it's winning these mental battles on tough runs that make us in to stronger runners. Hope next week is kinder to you and that Sunday's run goes well.🙂

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39 and i think you may be right 😀

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to lightweightkate]

And I love Sheryl Crow! Haven't listened to her for a while actually, so might pop some on my run list!!

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Kate, I am so sorry to hear of your news, these sound like such tough times for your family .

I hope you can find some comfort, strength and peace of mind in your running .

Big hugs ((( ))) xxxx

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks poppypug - what will be will be - just got to support them all - and I am sure my running will be a great diversion 😀

[aliboo70]

Lovely post kate - you shook any negatives away and ended up with a run! You really turned your feelings around. Excellent stuff 😊😆

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks - didn't feel like that at the time but after a hot bath feeling happy about it all 😀