Weird Things Happen for a Reason: I’ve been... - Couch to 5K

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Weird Things Happen for a Reason

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate
43 Replies

I’ve been thinking about how I approach each run in light of my raging self consciousness. After my last couple of posts I’ve had some great inspiration and support from you lovely lot. I can’t let all that go to waste and I’m sick of whining on about it. Plus at the back of my mind seeds of doubt about quitting have been planted, watered and are begin to sprout. I need to do something about it. So - Friday 6.25am I was ready to go and give it some welly.

Coldplay’s Adventure of a Lifetime is always my starting song and it turned out, as I started to jog, that it was stuck on repeat. This happens from time to time (nowt to do with user error….ahem) and Katy Perry has now been booted off my playlist for this very reason. There’s only so much Firework anyone can take. It takes me most of my warm up walk to wrestle my armband into place so it looks like I was stuck with Coldplay for 30 minutes. Worse things happen at sea. I’m consciously trying to be more laid-back and it seems to be working, so far so good.

Mr Spaniels was on his own, he said ‘hello’. I replied with a very nonchalant, take it or leave it ‘morning’ and jogged on. Mrs Spaniels was late and came into the rec. screaming at her poor dogs (or possibly Mr Spaniels) across the cricket pitch… She got a very wide berth - from us all. I jogged off around the football pitch, where they never venture and did some relaxingly things to keep my breathing and pace steady.

With not much choice, I spent the rest of the run listening to the words of the song - normally they wash over me and I don’t really listen. Anyway, I realised it was the absolute perfect song to be stuck on, for me, after the last few runs. It hit the spot on some of Old Floss’s comments about appreciating my surroundings and everything that I am feeling and what I am achieving. Embrace it all and feel it, good or bad. I’m sure some OF magic has been tinkering with my phone….

It sounds a bit cheesy, being captivated by the words of a song, I know. But I don’t care. At that moment, it did the trick. What with all of the great support and advice I’ve got on here, I feel better about things. Little by little I feel that I can do this. I was out again today and it was good, with a new playlist to perk things up!

Thanks for all of your help :) :) :)

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Fishypieface profile image
Fishypieface
Graduate
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43 Replies
Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Well done on taking to the rec fishypieface...and it's funny how the 'right' song suddenly finds its way into our headphones 😊 just when we need it , or sometimes mirroring our success.

You will always be a success because you are a warm generous person...Mrs Spaniels...not so much.

Happy running😊x

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

It just really touched a chord with me and most importantly kept me going!! Anything it takes to keep going.... :)

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate

I love, love, love this post..!!

Pink's "It's all your fault" is apt for me when I'm running... lyrics like "But I'm running out of air, and it's not fair" really seem to hit the nail on the head 😂😂

Keep it up FPF, you're doing great 🤗 Xx

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toHeadInTheClouds

Thanks, matey, for all of your supportiveness!! (not sure that's a word, but it sounds good) :) xx Pinks rocks... I don't have that one.... adding on straightaway!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply toFishypieface

It's a word now, even if it wasn't before 😊 Have you got her new one on your playlist..?? "What about us..??" It's brilliant (of course). X

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toHeadInTheClouds

No, I will have a look and a listen. I am terrible with music I've never really moved on from the 80s!! I do dabble with new stuff but then get bored and end up back where it's safe :)

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply toFishypieface

Oh yes, do - I'm sure you'll love it. I'm with you there, give me Adam and the Ants ANY DAY..!! 😍😍 😂

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toHeadInTheClouds

Done! Plus Adam Ant!! :) :) :)

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply toFishypieface

🤗

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Words are powerful, and when combined with music...wow!

Transcendent events can result.

A song at just the right (or maybe it was wrong, jury still out) lead me to crossing two Continents looking for an answer I probably will never get from someone.

Is it the song - or the listener? Whichever - but I don't think for one moment you are being "cheesy" :)

Nice, honest, open and supportive post there Fpf - good on you :)

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toIrish-John

Thanks Irish-John very true - music connects us to the world and others. Any we can interpret it as we want to. Do I detect a wistfulness in your words? I hope that you do get the answer you are looking for :)

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply toFishypieface

A long story, sometimes you just have to accept that 1+1 won't always add up to 2 though. Never did get a straight answer but glad I asked the question - so all well in the end really.

Mind you - there is a song out there I really used to love but TG it doesn't get any radio play these days 🙂

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toIrish-John

I like the way you think, very philosophical! :)

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply toFishypieface

Nah - just mentally lazy.

Or probably just mental 😂

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toIrish-John

You're in good company! 😂

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate

I always listen to the words!

Do you think your self consciousness is linked to perfectionism? I'm just pondering the connection myself.

Glad you escaped Mrs Spaniels.

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toejvcruns

Most definitely.... Along with a (un) healthy dollop of unrealistic expectations!!! And we all know where perfectionism leads - down a one-way hell-hole to a world of hurt! Thanks, I needed to see that :)

Debbie698 profile image
Debbie698

Well done Fishypieface - keep it up👍Ignore the gremlins- nasty little folk that they are. I had my (W7R1) first bad run yesterday(silly heavy cold) and last night my gremlins tried to tell me ‘well you gave it a little try love - maybe you have got to your limit’ Ha Ha you little minx’s I replied go live somewhere else as I haven’t finished with this bad boy programme yet😂😂

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate in reply toDebbie698

No you haven't. Keep pushing through week 7 -- it's a sleeper. Ought not to be hard but it is. Get extra rest days if you need them!

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toDebbie698

I love your attitude Debbie698!! You can absolutely do it :). I'm not used to doing things that are hard (work etc yes but that's different) physical work and my instant reaction is that I can't.... Actually I can, but it's not comfortable. Best of luck with the rest of the program, not long now!! :)

Tricky2836 profile image
Tricky2836

Well done you are getting there 😀

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toTricky2836

thank you! I am very trying.....!! :)

Vixen67 profile image
Vixen67Graduate

Keep the faith fishypie don't ever give up on a good thing we are with you every step of this stairway to heaven .... besides I always return to I'm a woman on a mission when I'm having a wobble day 👍🏃🏼‍♀️🐶🕺🏼💃

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toVixen67

Great songs choices there.... more to add to my expanding playlist! :)

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Great run, great post!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

You are doing fantastic and yes you've a little way to go (but you'll do it) and I really look forward to your final post saying "I DID IT" because somehow I just know you will

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply torolysmate

Ah thanks! You guys are so great, I will crack this stupidness and get over it and I definitely wouldn't have been able to do it without you lot helping me along :) :) :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Wonderful... an inspiring post... as ever! What a great run.... I would dearly love to have seen Mrs Spaniels!!!

You do find, that sometimes, and it really is, as if by magic, the words of a song come on and they are absolutely perfect for how you are feeling.

But, never forget that this i,s you... you doing this.... you overcoming worries and hangups...you running..you out there and getting more and more confident with every run.

" You are stronger than you think you are....believe it "

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Another t shirt to be made from that quote! I'll have an entire wardrobe at this rate! :) Thank you. Yes, I AM doing it! That feels SO great to say it....But without the support of you guys I think I would have been back on the couch. I'm so grateful. It was a very serendipitous (!?!) run.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

It is all that extra oxygen coursing around your body that boosts senses and emotions, intensifying the experiences of life, in my opinion.

Why would you not want that in your life?

This forum increases empathy through positive interaction with a wide range of people who are excited about wonderful changes happening in their lives.

It's all a matter of run, run, win, win.

Thought for the day.......

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

That's a great thought thanks.... I love this place and I love the changes I am making in my life. Sometimes I just can't see the wood for the trees.... but I'm getting there.

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate

A lovely post full of uplifting words and of course the obligatory Mr & Mrs Spaniels. I still think Mrs S is ever so jealous of you. Jealousy can be an ugly thing!!

You are doing wonderfully well on this voyage of discovery and I know you will continue to do well!!

Well done on the run and I look forward to seeing your next post, with or without Mr & Mrs S 🐶🐶!!

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toKimchoc08

Thanks :) It certainly is a voyage of discovery, but so worthwhile... I just get a bit bogged down at times. Hopefully, we've seen the last of Mr and Mrs S!! :)

Good luck with finishing, can't be long for you now!

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate in reply toFishypieface

5 more to go 😬😬

Theziggy profile image
TheziggyGraduate

Wow, I know that album. I prefer earlier Yellow albums though. Coyldn't help but think that it probably tool you longer to type your post than it did to run round the rec!

But - the main thing is - You Are Back On Track Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh !!!!!!

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toTheziggy

Haha!! Yes! I'm far speedier at typing that I am at running!! I like old Coldplay best too..... I don't listen to their new stuff, but just happened to hear this one on the radio so I gave it a whirl. :)

Ffion2 profile image
Ffion2Graduate

What a lovely post - and inspirational for those of us who are still self conscious. It's taken me nine weeks and my second 30 minute run to believe the lovely Jo Whiley when she tells me I'm a runner. My legs are still tired when I totter upstairs, but my head is feeling absolutely amazing. I don't even have the Spaniels Family to avoid - and I've felt like you. Don't know if anyone saw Alfie Thomas - two girls on his Cardiff Marathon training were self-conscious, so, bless him, he dressed as a banana and ran with them through Cardiff. 'He said 'nobody will be looking at you'. Funnily enough, not many people even looked at him. We can do this, and next summer when we're blithely announcing we're going out for a six mile run it will be worth it

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toFfion2

It's the side of this programme that doesn't get mentioned much but it's probably what puts a lot of people off even trying to do it. It's only been 2 weeks since I gave up doing 30 mins in my garden so it's a big transition for me - bigger than I obviously thought it would be! Yes, I hope next year we'll all be running through the streets of town on a Saturday afternoon (ooo, maybe not!!) :)

Ffion2 profile image
Ffion2Graduate in reply toFishypieface

I go totally puce, not helped by the insistence on wearing a jacket at all times (which I think covers up the wobbly bits, but probably isn't fooling anyone). It's mostly farmers where I am, and they think I'm totally bonkers as it is - I think they wonder about my sanity rather than my shape to be honest ;)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

What a heart warming post fishypieface...I love it when the words of a song match either our mood, our surroundings or our feelings...you are doing so well...you should be so proud that you are too...those gremlins don’t stand a chance against such determination...stay strong & keep on doing exactly what you’re doing 😉

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply toMummycav

I am beginning to feel better about it slowly and yes, I'm getting to be proud of what I am doing without feeling like a big drip!! Fingers crossed for you guys it stays that way, or I'll be back moaning on again!! :)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toFishypieface

Moan away xx

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate

Good for you!!!! Poor dogs is all I can say, she sounds like a fishwife!! I like a bit of Coldplay too!

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