Out a little late yesterday morning 7:45am, clear blue sky, beautiful sun rising up over the houses, breezy but comfortably cool: perfect running weather! Glad to be alive, out and soaking it all up.
So there I was, minding my own business, 5 minutes into my usual run in the rec, when my retired neighbour came jogging down the path, right alongside me. EEK! This is my worst nightmare!! Having to jog with someone else! I won’t even go out with my sister!! Such is my self-consciousness….now If I could get my hands on Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility I would be well sorted. The only good thing was that red flush of embarrassment rising through my cheeks was already masked by the crimson heat of a runner. Oh well….
Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice neighbour, who always waves, but I’ve never had a conversation with him. Now, here we are jogging next to each other. Did I mind if he jogged with me he asked? YES!!… I mean no, of course not, that would be lovely, I hear myself saying.
And over the course of the next 15 minutes I tell him all about my journey so far and he tells me about his - he’s been jogging for years and run 2 marathons, so he knows his stuff. He’s very lovely. And very helpful. My erratic pace is not a problem, it’s now a training method, fast, slow, fast. How did he train for his marathon? By adding on one extra minute after another. He makes everything simple. AND he compliments me on my running style - it’s very relaxed apparently!! Then I ruin it all by saying no, I looked like I’ve pooed myself…. but he politely ignores my uncouth self-depreciation and talks about his grandchildren. Thank goodness someone has some manners around here...
So by the time he sets off home for his breakfast, I’ve done 20 minutes but it only feels like 5. I’ve discovered that I am capable of holding a conversation whilst running without losing consciousness and that it was really lovely to have the company!! What is happening to me?!!
Then, to top it all, spurred on by his words, I ploughed through a whole field of gremlins pushing me back home (they are strong little b*ggers) at the end of 30 mins. It was so damn hard not to stop, but the very moment I turned the corner on to my next lap it was as easy as pie. Unbelievable… I did another 5 mins like nobody’s business.
It’s taken me a LONG time to get to this stage, through many a painstaking post as some of you will know! But it is SO worth it. Anyone who is struggling out there, it can be done, just trust yourself a bit more. It's all there in you just waiting to come out 
xx
Warning ⚠️ First festive mantra 
W5R3 completed with neighbour
Week 7 Run 2 - conquering my demons! 
Running with my best friend!
W5R2 -Just love jogging in the rain! Zippadeedoodah...
