The first run in ages... report from a swelter... - Couch to 5K

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The first run in ages... report from a sweltering snail.

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate
20 Replies

Just touching base to say that mfam is still alive but not kicking so much, because it's too bloody hot here to do any more than curl up in the vegetable tray in the fridge with an IV of chilled rosé, and wait until it rains.

My silence and relative penury of running is not only explained by the heat (close to 40°C yesterday, well over my tolerance levels). Since the holidays began, we have had visitors arriving and leaving in a constant stream. I got sinusitis for the umpteenth time. Then came the cherry on the top - Kiddo's appendix decided to do an improvised remake of 'The Alien", and attempted to burst within his abdomen whilst he, Calculus and the Queenager were helping Bigfoot (his brother) to move house 90 km from home last weekend, resulting in emergency surgery and an unexpected week of running back and forth to Nîmes hospital in the battle bus (our ancient VW bus) until he was discharged.

I now have a grumpy Kiddo back home who is most unimpressed with not being allowed to run, swim or do any other form of sport until September. Gary the Gremlin suggested that I should stop running by solidarity until Kiddo could run, and was told to take a long walk off a short bridge. The mind-bogglingly hot temperatures put paid to any running anyway, and he knew it. But last night a storm blew across the village, and this morning mfam was into her running kit and out of the door at sparrow fart, i.e. before the "chilly" 21°C temperatures increased.

And oh, boy, was it good: 4 k of running to my favourite playlist as I dreamed, plotted and schemed, then a ten-minute session with audiofuel's 'Polyrunner' bundle. I was surprised to see that I haven't lost too much fitness despite the infrequent running. The thinking time opened the door to positive thinking and planning. I realised just how important running is for my balance and happiness - I've said it before, but when I started out on the C25K journey I never imagined for a minute that I would finish it, let alone that it would end up being more important for my mental health than for my physical condition.

I've now got my sights set on losing the 4kg of BBQ and apéritifs that have taken up residence on my nether regions since the heat set in. And that's just for starters. This is one of the songs that made me smile on my playlist this morning. Happy running, folks!

youtube.com/watch?v=mMWNwHo...

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mfamilias
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20 Replies
Kmh1970 profile image
Kmh1970

Ha ha this made me titter! Where the hell are you in that heat?!! 👌love the music choice - I'm a modette at heart! 😊

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to Kmh1970

Glad I made you smile :) I live in the Languedoc, not far from Montpellier in the Hérault valley. It's a gorgeous place to live but when there's a heat wave it's torture. As for the music choice, I love this track. My teens just roll their eyes when they hear my choice in music blaring out of the kitchen.

in reply to mfamilias

Other than alien appendix and house moving, I recognise the heat problem and also the visitor poundage I should say kiloage but it doesn't scan at all. Running definitely keeps me sane. But heavens the hot, hot, hot temperatures are a trial aren't they?

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to

The heat has been awful - and of course my most recent visitors were oblivious to it, as they found the temperature acceptable (having lived in Dehli, they have a higher threshold). So we went trogging around Pezenas at nigh on 40°C so that they could hunt down antiques...

in reply to mfamilias

Ooh that's tough we have instigated a no visitors in August rule, as it's hard enough managing yourselves without looking after folk too....

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Oh M'fam.... what a blinking time you have had of it!

It sounds horrendous... but so glad Kiddo is on the mend.. it is good when they protest noisily... I worry when they are quiet!

I know the heat in the Dordogne last year, put paid to my runs eventually, even in the early morning.. ( love the idea of the IV rose though!)

S** Gary.... he may get heat stroke.... and go you, for snatching that window and what a great run too! I have realised after the enforced IC stint, how much the running benefits my mental health too! It was scary!!

You are feeling better... Kiddo has survived and you ran.... that deserves another chilled Rose... I will join you, if I may... here is to you M'fam... ! A ta sante!

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Cheers, sweetie. Yup, it's been a tough period, but we've now got our 'grown-up" car back at last after hefty repair work, huzzah!

Poor old Gary's a tad worried because he was hoping I'd have a "glumbumrun", and I didn't. Raaaaah! Off to raid the fridge for a glass of you-know-what now. Cheers, beautiful!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to mfamilias

xx

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

Goodness that's hot. Glad you managed a jaunt and that life settles down a bit for you!!

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to ancientrunner

It's been way too hot. It's 22°C as I type (10pm..); the locals are probably pulling out an extra quilt :D Fingers crossed that destiny hasn't planned any hiccups in the immediate future.

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate in reply to mfamilias

Keep cool - maybe join Gary in a cold beer.

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

"Gastrostomy" and "Bursitis", HU? Yum yum.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

"curling up in the vegetable tray" 😂 The obvious thing to do in that heat.

Sorry to hear about Kiddo, that must have been frightening. But great news that you can run again. Shame the coffee trick didn't sort your sinusitis out 😏

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Hi there IP, how is yer majesty? Yup, Kiddo scared the pants off me, apparently it was serious stuff.

As for the sinuses, I bit the bullet and went to see a specialist... He didn't suggest IP humour to clean out my nostrils with coffee, I've got three months of cortisone spray to shrink polyps instead.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to mfamilias

At least you're getting it sorted. You can drink the coffee instead 🙂

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

No wonder your son's appendix burst in that heat! Hope he is okay now. What a pity it wasn't Gary who exploded instead. Well done for running despite him :)

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

He's much better now, we're into the "you may feel fine but you can't.... (insert relevant activity) yet" period. He's being reasonable but I don't know how long it will last. Gary is very resistant, he got top grades in his Gremlin Survival Certificate.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

Great running song MFam!!! Glad kiddo is improving even if grumpy/ driving you a bit mad!!

Sounds like that run is just what you needed:)

ps i have 4kg to shed too i feel! we have motivate each other!!

pps Medal still in progress but shouldn't be too long now!! :)

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to aliboo70

* Jumps up and down in excitement at idea of imminent and authentic aliboo bling*

I would love to have a buddy for losing my spare tyre. Calculus and I have vowed to stop our evening apéritif. Again. I know that's where the majority of my extra 4k comes from. On top of that, the ear,nose and throat specialist I saw last week told me that my sinusitis problem is due to polyps, and that it's a good idea to avoid sulfites, which are particularly found in wine and beer... :(

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply to mfamilias

I don't drink often mine is biscuits and cakes!! 😕 saw a piccy from parkrun and definite spare tyre/muffin top going on!

Bling is progressing!! 😊

Hope your sinuses improve soon!

We are off mid sliding I the heavy rain at 6.30, with crazy off road gang! Should be interesting and burn a few cals !!!😊xxx

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