W5R1

[HeleneCorsa]

Today was my first run of week 5 and although I got through everything OK, it wasn't as much fun as the others.

I slept really badly last night - had a barrage of messages at 12.30 which meant my mind was too active and couldn't get to sleep. Then for some reason I woke up at 4.30 and couldn't drift off again. I stayed in bed until about 6 and then got up for my run but didn't feel refreshed at all and felt that my tank was only half full.

Luckily no wildlife incidents today apart from the usual marauding seagulls.

However, at a certain point a creepy looking man I often see at that time of the morning made an unwelcome comment. It was no big deal, basically "Look at those buttocks!", and said when he was in front of me anyway so he would have not have been able to see my rear unless he had Iron Man-type vision and I assure you, he was no Robert Downey Jr. But it annoyed me. (I did in fact reply - I will not repeat here but it was short and to the point). I really didn't seem to be able to get my pace right and I realised that after that encounter I was going too fast (I suppose it was a question of wanting to "run away"). It made me feel self-conscious, as if I'd lost the cloak of invisibility I imagine I have when out running.

Then another runner (a startlingly buff chap of the "Armani Army" ilk) gave me a lovely smile and wave as he passed. Unfortunately the smile I gave in return inadvertently turned into a loud snort (not sure how that happened).

I did enjoy my lap of the Colosseum, probably much to the irritation of the crew filming some guys doing capoeira, who probably didn't expect a woman to keep puffing past and spoiling the shot.

Finally, towards the end of the last 5 minute running interval two Japanese tourists literally threw themselves in front of me, basically forcing me to stop, to ask directions (because obviously it would have been too easy to ask one of the many other people waiting at the bus stop). I ended up repeating those five minutes anyway (largely so as to get home in time to get ready for work) but I couldn't help being annoyed that it spoiled the flow.

So, not great but ok. I didn't feel particularly energetic but I think it cleared my head after the poor night's sleep.

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Love the bit about the snort!! That would be me I try to smile as I pass people but I am sure it is more of a grimace 🤣

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Polly2810]

It just sort of escaped! I felt like such a fool, although I was grateful for the cheery wave after the other grim encounter, and because it made me feel part of the morning runners' fraternity

[Hidden]

Eeugh creep alert sounding. What on earth gives these people the thought that it's okay? Poor you probably your brain was way too active after all the messages and once that happens, it seems really hard to get back to sleep . So well done on getting out there with a half full tank.

Glad an Armani army person made it up with a smile and a wave. Running camaraderie is brilliant isn't it?

Put this one down to experience, it added some pace lessons, stamina, kms and swear words in the bank. All of which do come in useful at times!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You're right, it was actually a great learning experience in many ways, and despite everything I still returned home feeling a million times better than I did when I left.

Also it made me realise how much I value getting out there. I look forward to my run and even when exhausted I was keen to get in my trainers and out of the house.

Creeps like that man are the worst. I think it is the only way they feel they can exert any sort of 'power' over someone. Yuk. I am always sadly surprised by how many commenters there are in circulation.

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Hey ho, karma will work it out I always hope. And if you felt better then job done. Enjoy the weekend, and looking forward to your posts next week. Are the family back then?

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

They are probably coming back towards the end of the week - it depends on when my husband is able to bring the kids. He is working in Brindisi now (since the beginning of June so it's a new chapter really). I have missed them terribly but I have no idea how I am going to fit running in once they are home, as they are far too little to be left alone (they are aged 10, 8 and 4).

I have a basically full-time babysitter already - I need cover in the early morning and in afternoon as my kids are in two different schools and all three of them have slightly different school hours, making it impossible for me to drop off and collect all of them. But this does mean I am paying a lot of money to have someone hang around at home in between, and yet I have no time covered other than my working hours. Plus my eldest will be starting the school day earlier this year, and finishing later two days a week, so that's not going to fit in with the current sitter.

I am thinking of getting someone who can live in and therefore have more flexible hours (my husband worked in the UK for two years, four years ago, and that's what I did then once my maternity leave was over). But it means reorganizing our small flat and a whole heap of hassle. I think the next couple of months will be tricky...

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

🤹🏼‍♀️🤹🏼‍♀️🤹🏼‍♀️ Jeepers now that is juggling. I know what you mean, G my Italian friend she of the broken metatarsal, has 2 both at different schools, different times oh and for the first two weeks of term, the children have to eat at home, because the school catering doesn't start until 2 weeks after school start?.... she did a nanny share with another mum locally, so Josh (he has the Derbyshire accent) is the solution. But as she said he's only affordable because he is a manny share in effect. I don't know how you'll do it, but I am sensing with determination you'll fit it in.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I'll find a way but am hoping there won't be far too much trial and error in the process! Childcare is just so expensive too. I'm definitely going to need a little more support in the early evening as there will be much more homework to help the kids through in the evenings. The older two will be in 1st year of scuola media and 3rd of elementare. Also I'd like a little time to do flamboyant hedonistic things like buying groceries without all three in tow

We have the problem of school catering not starting for a while too... oh the joys. I just can't wait

Manny share sounds like a brilliant solution.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

What a d**k. It's definitely a power thing because they're usually pathetic weak shrivelled losers in everyday life. You handled it well. Do you go out at the same time? If so maybe you should consider changing your routine a bit. Or find out when Armani Man goes out and you could run with him 😘

You did really well considering the lack of sleep, pathetic creep and tourists. You are very good as you stopped for the tourists. I was once pounced on by a few people at a bus stop who tried to ask me something, but I just smiled at them and said, "sorry I can't stop" and carried on running 😏 Not good.

I know you didn't enjoy this one particularly but you've done it and can tick the box. Well done to you 🙂

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you! I've seen the creep before and had a bad feeling about him, so I was shocked but not very surprised really. He lurks at the beginning of my favourite bit of the route, near the forum, which is a wide road where I generally feel safe and there are usually other people not far away. It's also a brilliant road to run along as it's flat, there's no traffic at that time, and it's very scenic. It would be simple just to approach from the other side and that's what I'll probably do from now on.

Besides once the kids return to Rome my early morning runs will become impossible, sadly, so I'll need to find an alternative routine anyway

Once I got approached by tourists while I was running for the bus in the morning with the kids! I was less obliging on that occasion... The girls this morning were very sweet though - in typical Japanese fashion they were perfectly composed and neat, whereas I was a melting, sweaty, puffing mess!

[MuddyJane]

Weird man needs someone to use a tasar on him!

Loving the short.

But still happy you completed it when everything was against that happening... and it can only get better.... right?!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to MuddyJane]

Thank you! I agree on all counts.

Re the snort, I bet the handsome running chap is posting on some forum or other about a weird creep he met this morning who snorted at him randomly while he was out running

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Now that would be so funny a parallel running universe. We'd all have to leap to your defence!

[Getfitok Graduate]

I can never sleep when I look at messages, late on. The bit about the invisibility cloak made me smile😀