"It's like that, and that's the way it is"

[snack_shack]

The title of this post is the lyric that had just finished as my run came to an end this morning, and it pretty much was the blunt reality check I needed.

A combination of my hip hurting, a lack of any decent sleep and a 7 year old daughter who acts like a stroppy teenager and would test the patience of a saint has meant I have had a really negative attitude to almost everything, including C25K in the last fortnight or so. After a particularly difficult evening with my daughter last night I had a lot of anger to run out of me this morning!

Today was W8, R2. My head wasn't in it, I felt lethargic and actually just wanted to sit on my backside feeling sorry for myself but I went as I hoped a run would clear my head and allow me to be ready for whatever the day had to bring.

I tried a new route this morning so I have no way of knowing for sure but I'm confident that the first 15 minutes of the run was faster than usual, which I've put down to me still being wound up from the night before. This motivated me for the remainder of the run, although I admit I did slow down the pace as this was preferable to wearing myself out and stopping before I was due to end.

I feel soooooooooo much better for doing the run. It was bloody hard work but I did it. The Run DMC song that played at the end made me remember that the hip, the sleep, the annoying daughter.... well it is what it is and nothing will change overnight. There's no point letting it get to me. I just have to work on making each of them better and know it won't be like this forever. Basically, get over myself!

I think running will play a big part in my mental health, as well as physical, in the future. I know running isn't for everyone but there's something very theraputic about being able to find an outlet for frustration.

Sorry for the ramble but I'm now back in the room and any future posts will be me back to being positive because "it's like that, and that's the way it is".

[rolysmate Graduate]

Yep it's called life and sometimes it aint quite as we'd like it but I too have found that running helps clear my head

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I'm so sorry you going through the mill, this is a great post for though, exercise is a powerful stress reliever and you have summed up the essence of what it is capable of in a lovely post, thanks for sharing and wishing you a peaceful weekend.

[Angela962 Graduate]

1 well done for getting up off the couch

2 daughters grow up and out of such behaviour

3 with a mum with such a positive attitude to feeling grumpy she will learn from that

4 🤗🤗🤗

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done runner! Those tough runs often end up the ones that make us feel really great.

Close to the podium now!

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Rambles are good...7 yr old daughters can be a test...but cherish them....mine is 27 and all grown up now!! 😉

[Fishypieface Graduate]

I feel your pain! And totally agree with your choice of song!! 13yo daughter who's got a boyfriend (way tooooo young!!!), killer shoulder pain which kept me awake most of the night. I could have tripled my wine consumption (it might come to that later!) but did a run instead. Don't know what this course has done to me but I like it!!

You look very refreshed, I look like a sweaty old bit of beetroot!!!

[Hidden]

Lovely to see you back, sorry it's been such a torrid time. Hard runs can sometimes be the most satisfying, Anyone can run well when the head is right, the route is right, the weather is just perfect, it takes grit to do it when your head and heart aren't in it and you have crap to deal with.

My running soothes me at times, helps me organise my life at times, and occasionally makes me smile and more often than not makes me scream. But it's still 'me time', lovely, glorious, selfish, me time and that's why I stick at it, and I have a feeling that's why you do too.

M is on the road again, wearing different clothes again....

You're doing well and that bling is flipping in the drawer, waiting for your podium shapes, as I am convinced you'll throw some fab shapes on the podium

[snack_shack Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Your message played a part too.... I figured if someone who wasn't in my day to day life had noticed, then it was time to take stock. Last night with my daughter was the catalyst though. Everyone who knew me as a child says we're alike - I've started to take it as an insult :-D. Watch out for that W9, R3 post - with only 4 more runs to do until then it shouldn't be too long! Eeeeek!

[Hidden in reply to snack_shack]

You've got and as JNR says you're a runner that's the way it is. And I am adding that song to my playlist. Happy running this week and podium soon..

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Lovely to hear that running helps smooth out the everyday blips...you're a runner - thats the way it is 😄🏃💪.x

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Fab photo! Well done for getting out there. You aren't far away from graduating now!

Kids grow out of phases like that. Then they grow into other ones. Some are good, some less so. I remember age 7 being a bit trying with my daughter. Nothing ever stays the same though, so the best thing you can do is have coping strategies (like running...) to help you keep your head when those around you are losing theirs etc etc.... and you'll come out of it the other side with your sanity (mostly) intact.

[Tricky2836]

Well done, lots of determination there on your part... You are so close to graduating now so keep going, your doing brilliantly 😀

[Late-Starter Graduate]

Thanks for having the confidence to share what's in your heart. You've created an honest and heartfelt response to things in your life that clearly show one of the reasons why running is so good for the soul. If you had chosen not to go out today to tread that tarmac, then you'd be in a worse state and we wouldn't have had the opportunity to share your pain.

I've just learned another reason why this forum is such a special place.

Thank you for a touching post and beautiful selfie.

[Wizziewood]

I like it!

Well done you, happy running!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Everyone else has said what I wanted to say, much better than I could.

Glad you have running to give you some 'you' time.