After last time out with an unscheduled stop, I was feeling trepidatious (is that even a word?) about this run, as I wasn't sure I'd actually done the second one. But after a lot of comments from the forum I decided to go for it. I awoke with horrendous stomach cramps and decided to have a drink and some ibuprofen (given my previous history with tomato vodka, I can assure you this time it was Earl Grey tea). I delayed going out for about 30 minutes, to give the ibuprofen some time to work.
On the slope of hope for my warm up walk, things felt fine - even the dogs didn't bark to day, more of a grumble really. So I started my first 3 minute run up the hill that kills and straightaway I could tell I was off form, as my distance in the 3 minutes was really poor.
So now I am feeling molto grumpy but carried on into Lovers Lane, even Mr Smooth couldn't persuade me it was a good day. Did my usual tour of duty and then back to the hill that kills for the final 5 minutes. At this stage my face was probably at a new stage of red that I am going to describe as Dulux Incandescent Rage, because I was so p....d off, my legs felt heavy and I think I had a shin splint too.
Warm down walk took me back into Lovers Lane and when my time was up, I started to head to home thinking it was a crap day and I better just write this one off.
Then Mr and Mrs Physio came to my rescue, they smiled and said buongiorno as usual and as my run had finished, I actually stopped and chatted to them. So needless to say Mr & Mrs Physio aren't called that at all - he is called Albino and she is Anouska which she told me proudly had Slav origins. In my pretty useless Italian, i asked if they were doing physio work and they said no she just needs help walking. Each morning, they walk from their house and do 2 tours of the Villa and 2 of Lovers Lane as they described it as 'un bel inizio' - a beautiful start to the day.
Then they asked about my training programme and how it worked, so i explained that and Albino said physical exercise was important for a good heart and head and we said our goodbyes.
So sitting in my kitchen I now realise the stomach cramps have gone, and Albino and Anouska are right it is a beautiful start to the day, so thank you A&A, for re-setting my colour chart from Incandescent to Salsa Red as usual.
I think we all put ourselves under pressure to complete a run, especially when it is part of the programme, but at the end of the day a rubbish run is still a run and is still better for your health and wellbeing than being at home in bed/on the couch. You got out there, it maybe wasn't as good as you would have liked, but you were active.
Hi SC - you're right I think, I did haul my sorry ass out and fought the temptation to wallow. Also A and A talking to me really helped me chill out. It's just so frustrating when I'd faced the challenge but every run had worked and then all of a sudden it didn't. Thanks for the perk up
Dave i agree, but I live on the top of a hill that is 260m above sea level. I don't really have a choice, I used to drive to a running track 20 Minutes away, but found the impetus to go there diminished and that's why I ended up as a lapsed 10ker. So I really thought that this time, focussing on running where I am is probably better. Let me be honest at an average km time of 10 minutes, to describe it as a run, is not strictly accurate. I know it's easier on the flat but give me an excuse and I'll flake....
You aren't the only one to live at the top of a hill. The way I approach mine varies (depends on my mood):
1)"ALL hills are downhill only" (you just have to tackle some of them in the wrong direction)
2) hills are there so that you can slow down and take longer "enjoying the moment"
3) just remind yourself that hills have a brilliant training effect. When it comes to parkrun, the hill on one of my local courses allows me to overtake at least 10 other runners.
With repetition, hills can actually start to feel easier. I'm now at a stage where I sometimes prefer to run uphill rather than down (but that could be because downhill can be hell on arthritic knees...)
Hi buddy... don't have much choice not to as I live right at the top of a blinking hill.. anyway your achievements of 11 mile walks, swimming oh and doing C25K as well, put me to shame....
You are doing so well Jan....you're finding your own way and keeping good spirits and humour (which is also good for your health! ) can't wait to read about Mr 118! 😉
Thanks am hoping today was just one of those and I am a bit worried about Mr 118 as he hasn't been around for 3 or 4 days. But I can hardly go stalking for him...
Very well done to you. I think we all have off days but actually completing week 4 is a great achievement. Your posts make me laugh and keep me motivated - keep them up
Thanks bareliz, the posts are actually my failsafe to make sure I run... and laughing at myself helps me not get too grumpy. Although I did fail on that this morning... onwards and upwards...
As my son tells fail is 'first attempt in learning' so it's not a fail is it!! I live pretty much on sea level so very few hills on my routes, but I'm going to seek them out during the school holidays when I'll have my 10yo PT with me 😂😂
I tend to have a bad run a week, but still managing to continue when I get out!
Love the learning analogy can I do a virtual swap with you one time? My hill for your sea? Ok if one bad run a week is par, then I should be counting my blessings - thanks so much for a thought provoking reminder
Thanks this morning was my hardest yet, but I have hopes that Mr 118 may be a multi millionaire fitness freak who can wave a magic wand and transform me into Miss Molto Chic Podista... however Mr Jancanrun may have something to say about that...
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