Dug deep

[GingerBohemian]

When I set off on my business trip I was on W3.

It was beautifully warm and sunny and at that stage of C25K it was light joffling interspersed with walks.

The next 3 weeks were spent in California and Canada where it was also glorious sunshine and the runs were as flat as a pancake on proper asphalt purpose built running tracks or lake front paths.

So the slow build up to the 20 and then 25 mins hadn't been so bad.

And then today it was W7R1.

Difference being when I left it was 32C and now I am back it is 11C. And there are no walks.

So off I went looking resplendent in my long sleeved dayglo yellow wicked running top (Walmart $8!) looking more like a Minion that had really let himself go over the years rather than a W7 runner.

Brisk walk was fine and then around the bend just as the run started and in front of me was the calf killing never ending 900 meter long incline of pain.

The cold weather and the extra effort meant my breathing was all over the place as my asthma was all wheezy and coughing. My calves were on fire.

So I just slowed right down. Breathed he best I could and focused on the pylon up ahead in the field.

MJ told me well done for running for 5 minutes already and that I must be in a great rhythm by now.

I promptly told MJ to **** off and that my last dying words were going to be to a voice on a recorded podcast.

So I just resigned myself to getting through it. The slope was there whether I liked it or not and despite someone pouring concrete on my calves and stuffing a pillow across my nose and mouth I carried on.

Next thing he is telling me it's 12.5 minutes. So mentally I know it's all downhill from there.

I reached the next village road sign but this time decided I would touch the one on the opposite side of the road as it showed the village speed limit. 30km/h.

Or as I now like to think, a reminder of how long I will be running for at the end of the program.

The way back was slightly easier as the lung I had coughed up on the way was no longer eating me down.

And then it was done.

So I just have to accept the fact that from 25 to 28 and then 28-30 is always going to be on the home stretch which is the enjoyable bit.

I'm always going to have to start with the slope of death.

So I was chuffed when I had completed it today but at the same time thought 'damn!....now that I have done it the once I have no excuse for not doing runs 2 and 3.'

Still....the trees are starting to look nice.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Excellent post. I loved week 7. I did all my runs in the same place out and back from home. I used to love getting a bit further each time and then further on in the programme breezing past places that a few weeks back I was at my limit to reach. It gave me a great boost.

In a couple of weeks you will get to the other end of that hill and not even notice you have done it.

[misswobble Graduate]

Yes, aren't they! 😃 I have a Slope of Doom and A Hill of Death but I got the better of them and so will you 🙂💪🏃✔️

Cooler weather is good!

[Hidden]

Hi GB

I am claiming copyright abuse.... my slope of hope has morphed into your slope of death...!

BTW I have already claimed IPR on 'Hill That Kills'

jancanrun.com/the-places/

I do love the fact though as a fellow smoothie, you too tell MJ to .... off. I did many many times, especially when he said silkily 'you may like to consider changing your pace'....

You're doing brilliantly well.

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The Lane of Pain? The Path of Wrath?

[Hidden in reply to GingerBohemian]

Okay they are fine.... won't sue you any day now....👍

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes! How many times have I followed that up with "You may like to consider *insert offensive suggestion of choice*"?!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Just as long as you all remember that the Cobbles of Hades are mine...

Another fab post, GB! Sounds as if it was rather punishing, but you made it. I giggled at the idea of you as a minion on the run. I too have a tendency to swear at the podcast (or just at the world in general) while running which must be more than a little disconcerting for passers-by...

The tree really is splendid though.

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Cobbles of Hades....fantastic.

They are building a new footpath close to the house (can see it being built from my office) at it will have a reeeally long downwards slope that will be fine on the way out but a nightmare on the way back. I'm already decided to call it Dante's Dip after reading JanCanRun has names for all of her running areas.

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

What a great post!! Well done 👍🏼

[Hidden]

Week seven was my favourite. Two main reasons; I finally believed that the programme would work for me (I know, I know) and I was able to ditch Laura and have my own sound track. Although I had a massive girl crush on Laura, her music was about to make me run off a cliff

Anyway, another evocative post and great run GB. Well done

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Everyone mentions Laura but I have never listened to her. I've just used MJ from the voices available on the app.

[Hidden in reply to GingerBohemian]

Laura was the original (and, if I may open a controversy, the best) NHS download voice.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

What an absolute trooper you are GB???? Oh, I could feel what an absolute pull that run was...but you did it, despite all that was going on in your head & other parts...well done, it can only get easier from here...I remember W7R1 for some reason, I'll have to look back on my posts, it must've been one of them 'toil' runs...I think 'dug deep' is a bit of an understatement here..you nearly hit the earths core you dug that far!!!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

I love hearing people's run stories! Well done, Ginger B, for powering on through. My god, you made me laugh! I hope I can report back with such humour when I get to week 7! 😘👏

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great post...great pikkie and glad you are back here with us... I will miss your travelling photos though

Just keep it steady now, start slow and find the relaxed happy pace that is yours.... look around at those trees and just enjoy the act of running... hopefully.. the newly-found running legs will come into their own and begin to carry you forward without any effort

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

There will always be plenty of travelling photos

And I have you group of happy jofflers with me when I am travelling.

It was more the asthma that got me today.

Some days / months it doesn't affect me at all then other times for no reason it just decides to kick in.

But I'm determined to not let asthma beat me....if it's the last breath I take!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

Oh gosh.... that is hard.... just be kind to yourself...and... look after yoursefl too x