Thank heavens I have you guys...

[Sadie-runs]

...for support, as right now I feel like I am getting none in "real" life. This morning I had my week 5 run 1 planned, and I was looking forward to it. Woke up pre-menstrual and a wee bit grumpy - calf muscles still a bit achy from last run. Mentioned this to my partner as I was getting my running gear on (him still languishing in bed at 7:30am), and his response? "Maybe running's not for you?"

😢😢😢

Really didn't need to hear that, and for the first 5 min run it was going round and round my head. That and my sister saying "I bet you only last a few weeks and then give up when winter kicks in".

Well, I smashed W5R1 and ran and ran. At a nice steady pace. I enjoyed it and came back feeling positive. It IS for me.

I don't think he meant to upset me, and it could be that he was trying reverse psychology (risky move), and he has made me breakfast so I forgive him. But it is all too easy to doubt yourself when you first start running, so you don't need it from elsewhere. I am just grateful I can come here for honesty and positivity! 😘

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

Sadie, day by day you are proving it to yourself that that you CAN run. You're smashing it..!!

What should be going round and round in your head is the day you can say to both of them ..... "I did it"..!! 👍🏻

Keep going, you're doing great..!! 🤗

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

Thank you for this lovely response. Despite this morning's mental blip, I do feel very positive and I AM going to finish the program. It has been very manageable so far! 😘

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are doing great, Sadie.

Very soon you won't have any doubts..........of course running is for you and is for life, not just the summer months.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Truffe. 😀 My sister is an idiot and obviously doesn't know me very well, as I am really enjoying this - a bit of rain, wind or cold will never deter me. This morning's run filled me with renewed positivity!

Thank you, as always, for your support. 😘

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Brilliant, well done!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thank you! 😀

[Fishypieface Graduate]

The thing I am slowly working out is that the only the thing remains constant is running. Our moods, the view of others change, go up and down and can all be unsupportive - but through all this running is still there, patiently ready and waiting for us to take it up.

I told my ageing mum what I was doing and she burst out laughing. But you can and are doing it - and a brilliant job by the sounds of it too! It will become something just for you and very special too.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

So true, FPF! Thank you for pointing that out. And thanks! WE are doing a brilliant job, we know that, and that's all that matters. 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

Maybe get ageing Mum to start... could that happen ? I am ageing.. and love it

[Hidden]

Running gives you very precious 'me time'. In that time you are just you, not a partner, colleague, sibling, daughter. And only you know the truth about your commitment or desire to do the run and to keep it up.

You sound very committed to me and you are part of the very special running community.

Well done getting out there today and always!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Aw, thank you Jancanrun! You are right, I totally value that time I have alone running. It really is a good way to connect with yourself as an individual... most of all, I am enjoying challenging myself physically! I have a mentally challenging job, and running is a fantastic antidote. 😀 And you are right - I am totally committed to my running. Thank you for your support, fellow runner. 😘🏃‍♀️

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Well done on your run today Sadie-runs😊

Your name says it all...You are doing this for you, and you are enjoying the success and reaping the health and fitness benefits...

Of course running is for you. You can run for 16 minutes already and will go on to graduate too.

Hope you enjoyed your well deserved breakfast, your partner doesn't know what he's missing.😊xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you so much, Jan-now-runs! Lovely reminder of why I am doing this - and that I AM doing this! Will not allow anyone to get in my positive headspace again! I am secretly hoping that I will inspire my b/f to get out there running himself...xxx

[icklegui Graduate]

Really felt for you - sometimes other people's comments and reactions are just so upsetting! You know you want to do this and you ARE doing it, and you have this place always for support and cheerleading! Well done on your first week 5 run, by the end of the week you'll be past half way through! Amazing stuff xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thank you, dear icklegui. I think I was feeling more sensitive than normal today (normally I would have told him to shove off with a comment like that!) I love this forum; all the support a gal could ever need! And yes, cannot quite believe I am in week 5! xxx

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

you don't have to believe it, it's true regardless! Week 5 and beyond here you come!

[Sadiemac]

Oh fellow Sadie! You are amazing and my inspiration (being 2 weeks behind you). Sending you oodles of positivity Run Sadie 🏃 Run!! 😘

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Sadiemac]

I feel responsible to lead the way for you, fellow Sadie! Thank you for your lovely words. 😘

[Sadiemac]

👍 to us Sadies!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Real gremlins to day then... human ones

Well done you!!!! Getting out there and squishing all those pesky gremlin comments!!!!

You can do this... you ARE doing this, and we are right there with you.... good job he made your breakfast... I had my best teacher cross voice all ready for him

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Oh I would love him to get a Floss telling off! Funnily enough, I think maybe he has helped me... More than ever, I am going prove to him that running IS for me. I don't need to prove *that* to myself, I know it is for me. 😀 Thank you for your support, lovely Flossie. x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

You go girl.... This is for you and you are amazing!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

PS

When i started..my sister told me I was too old.. she still thinks that... even though I now run at 10K...now, what is the phrase... oh yes.. " Am I bovvered tho ?" No!!!!!!x

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Pffffft. Sisters, eh?! My sis is older than me and hugely competitive. I think I frustrate her cos I refuse to compete with her. And too old?!? Pffft again. Did you see the lovely posts from our 83 year old runner today?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

I did !!!! Superb.... My sister is older than me too... She thinks I am still a naughty nuisance..great eh

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yup, same here. She still thinks I am 12 years old and always will I think! 😘

[ancientrunner Graduate]

You keep going - you'll probably find they want to join you soon.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Indeed! 🏃‍♀️

[Wingie Graduate]

Get in girl!! You're obviously rocking it, and if you've got the motivation and you're enjoying it ... then of course it's for you!! The people on here are awesome aren't they. We've got your back! 😊

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Wingie]

Thanks Wingie. 😘 And yes, some truly awesome people here, the support is really making an impact on my progress, I am sure!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

People really do say dumb stuff. Let that be the wings on your feet. You're doing great. Happy running.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thanks, RWDs! 🏃‍♀️🐶

[Jododds]

Good for you!!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Jododds]

Yes! Thanks Jododds. 😘

[J9_54 Graduate]

Aw my heart nearly burst when I read that. Good on you, you just keep on getting out there and enjoy your time running and in the process prove them wrong. Big hugs x

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to J9_54]

Thank you for your lovely words, J9. I honestly don't understand where their negativity is coming from, as I have been full of the joys of spring since starting this programme, and not once buckled or failed to get out on a run when I said I would! Pfffft to them! I will prove them wrong, quietly and stoically. 😘😘

[J9_54 Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Funnily enough my ex was the same, never really encouraged me or praised me. One of the reasons he's now an ex. ;0)