Officially One Third of the Way Through!

[Adler92]

Well, I finally managed to do W3R3 this morning, so can officially say I am a third of the way through the programme! Huzzahs all round.

This morning's run was quite a hard one, but I think that's just because I've got other stuff going on at the moment so wasn't really concentrating on the run but worrying about everything else - I wasn't in the best of moods this morning (my side is playing up more than usual which is making everything more challenging and making me frustrated etc, as well as exam stress, lack of sleep, yadda yadda yadda), so that definitely didn't help either. Didn't get my usual sense of elation/satisfaction at finishing the run either, but again, I think that can be put down to my distraction at the moment.

My next run is supposed to be Tuesday (coincidentally, the day of my first exam... D:), but because I'm going to have to be sat for 3 hours straight both Tuesday and Wednesday (which my side reeeeeeally doesn't appreciate), I'm thinking it might be best to run in the evening, rather than the morning? Especially as I've noticed it's been getting more tender after each run, though I don't know if that's the running or the fact I've been sat at my desk for over 12 hours every day for the last 3 weeks revising? I've got to take my painkillers before my exams anyway (seriously, my side does not appreciate sitting still for long periods of time... And it's the only way I'll be able to get through the exam), so I'm thinking the potential of a little additional discomfort from a run Tuesday evening should be covered by those anyways? I don't know... I don't really want to pause for a week during exams, especially as I feel like if I stop I'll find it harder to start again and I really want to try and complete this, in spite of my side (or perhaps to spite my side, I'm not quite sure at this point :P). It doesn't hurt during the runs either, normally just afterwards, but I don't know if that's just because I'm not focusing on it? The same thing happened when I was in my Uni musical this Easter - while on stage/during the show, it was fine because I was concentrating on something else/had the adrenaline of the show etc, but afterwards I could barely move because I'd moved too much during the show... Which is possibly an indication I should stop doing things like that, but I'm only 24, and I love my drama stuff, and (shock horror!) I'm actually learning to love running. I don't want to have to give up that as well.

Sorry, this post turned out a bit longer and more self-pitying than I had anticipated ^-^" Just feeling a bit fed up and despondent at the moment I guess. Ho hum

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday

[Pc59 Graduate]

Exam stress is very difficult so don't be to hard on yourself take day by day & nothing wrong with doing the same week over again especially if it helps your stress. Good luck with exams😊

[Adler92 in reply to Pc59]

Thanks I might see how I get on on Tuesday, and if it's too much I'll just go back to W3 for the rest of the week. Don't want to make things worse, but also don't want to stop, so repeating a week might be the best way to allow this... Hmmm. And thank you Feel like I need it xD

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

I almost want to suggest running before, because running might release some of those lovely endorphins that will help with the pain?

Either way, do take it easy on yourself and yes, repeat this week if that's what it takes 👍

[Adler92 in reply to Maddee_6333]

It might do, I just know that as of late, after my run my side as been more painful and has made sitting for long periods of time practically impossible. And unfortunately, not sure they'd let me take a bed in to lie down during the exam 🤣 (lying down/reclining is the most comfortable for my side)

But yes, definitely going to take things easy regardless

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Adler92]

Do what's best for you

[bunty65 Graduate]

Hi Adler, well done on completing week 3, for the stress I've been recommended an app called headspace, you can try ten session for free and apparantly it's really good (my son has just finished his first year uni exams and gets really stressed so I've been looking for things to help him). For the side have you tried yoga ? I know there are lots of different types but if you can find someone to show you a few stretches it might help with the prolonged sitting (you tube probably has something if you don't know anyone). I work in an office so am seated most of the day but have some stretches to do at my desk and try and get up and walk for a few minutes at least every hour or so or my back objects. All the best with the exams

[Adler92 in reply to bunty65]

Thanks I'll have a look at the app, thanks for the recommendation As for yoga, I do try and do yoga on my good days, but on my bad days I can barely bend to pick up stuff from the floor, so attempting yoga then is definitely not possible. I'm hoping that once these written exams are out of the way I'll be able to focus more on the yoga and see if that helps keep the bad days to a minimum. It should help my running if nothing else Thanks again! x