W7R3... Slothly but surely...

[HeadInTheClouds]

Felt a bit "Meh" about tonight's run, after the unexpected slog of W7R2.

New running shoes arrived today, but my excitement was short lived because they were too small 🙄

However, I got home from work, gave myself a mental shake and heaved my new compression tights over the lumpy bits - stretching them to within an inch of their life..!! To be honest, they were probably also too small but I figure that the more taught I can make myself, the more streamlined I will be, thus capable of slicing through the air with ease 😂

So, compression tights were on and set for their maiden voyage and stretches were done. I thought I'd take a leaf out of Mummycav 's book and do a longer warm-up. I hopped on the cross trainer for a good 5 minutes before heading out out. The hubby said "Are those your new tights..?? Mmmmm, are they comfy"..?? Now, I love my husband very much (most of the time) but I know what that tone in his voice actually meant... The last pair of compression tights I bought are still hanging in the wardrobe after his comment "They're a nice colour but they're a bit snug... you'll need a long T-shirt... your downstairs front bedroom looks a bit ... erm ... cluttered" 😳😱

I ignored his latest remark and headed out the door (looking like a glistening sausage) for my warm up walk... it definitely felt so much better than the other night. I set off in run mode, very, very slowly. Usual calf muscle tightness, but nothing untoward. Breathing remained steady for the entire run. But I was going so slothly that, at times, I felt as though I was standing on the spot just rocking from one foot to the other 🤦🏼‍♀️ I still wasn't blessed with Sadie-runs ' magic robot legs but, after about 15 minutes, I was feeling a lot more comfortable. Fortunately, every time I was tempted to speed up a little I could, literally, feel Oldfloss anchoring herself to the back of my knicker elastic to slow me down..!! 😆

The last couple of minutes felt good and I can safely say that, not once throughout the run, did I have the thought that I needed to stop (but that's probably because I wasn't travelling much faster than stop anyway)..!! 🙄

Cool down walk felt really good (which is more than I can say for the tights - they had gathered around the backs of my knees and were making a valiant attempt at cutting off the circulation to the lower half of my legs)..!! 😫

Shortest distance and slothest time for a while, but I don't care... the only aim I ever have is to get my a*se in gear and get out there, run for as long as I'm told to run and endeavour to get back home still breathing and in an upright position....

....Tonight I achieved that again 🤗

Week 7, you're done.

Week 8, here I come.

Much love to you all for your unwavering support, lovely comments and hilarious banter. Without you, I wouldn't be doing this - I really wouldn't.

You are the wind beneath my wings 😘😘

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Well, Ms Buns of Steel, you have excelled yourself. This is my favourite post to date. "Downstairs front bedroom" ?!?! Could not love that more! Until I got to "glistening sausage" and Oldfloss anchoring herself to the back of your knicker elastic.

Good lass! Despite my annoying optimism and disgusting chipperness throughout C25K, I have had my meh moments. But looking back, they are not important, or worth dwelling on. You show your true grit by getting out there and doing it. So good on ya.

Week 8 is lovely. You are going to enjoy it. Tell yourself you are going to enjoy it. One thing is for sure, you are going to NAIL IT.

😘😘😘🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

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

P.S compression tights?! WTF? Why?!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Oldfloss wears them. She said...

I have compression ones.. my goodness.... I look positively stream lined... x

After she told me that, I got insanely jealous 😂 3 pairs of compression tights later and I've never looked back 😝

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Because they are great for running

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

and .. they do make you look stream lined

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

... and if you want the tech spec...

The theory is the tightness of the material (which is stretchy and usually made of polyamide and elastane) activates the muscles and stimulates blood flow. More oxygen is circulated, which reduces build up of lactic acid and creatine kinase, in turn boosting performance and recovery.

I need all the help I can get

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

It's like you just read my mind, I was just wondering seeing what they were all about! Sigh. I spend more on running clothes than civvies these days. 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

They are brilliant... I have my very favourite ones... I have had them from the start

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You do not have to read the post..but those are my favourite leggings

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Ooooh what's the brand? 😀

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

😂😂 I wish..!! 😂😂

You're quite right, 'meh' moments aren't worth wasting energy over.

I am so looking forward to week 8. Hopefully new (bigger) shoes by then and might mix up my route a bit... it's getting boring 😔

Woohoo, thank you my lovely 😘😘

Loving your 'Graduate' badge by your name 🤗

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Another brilliant post laughed so much at your wonderful description I was with you all the way. Well done you for getting out there 😂👏

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Haha, thank you. I knew I had to get out there and put week 7 to bed. Was a bit of a push though 🙄

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Oh, this made me laugh out loud!!!! Front bedroom? Never, ever heard that...& then glistening sausage??? Oldfloss pullin knicker elastic!!! It’s a good job she’s got a good grip else your run would’ve been over in double quick time!!!! Weeeeeeeee........Hilarious...

Cannot WAIT to see your first post of Week 8...keep that longer warm up going if it helps? X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Yep... even kept a grip on myself this morning..not easy!!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

But you are a pro Oldfloss you can do it!!!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

😂 Thank you lovely 😂

I'm definitely going to keep up the longer warm ups. Hopefully it'll be all plain sailing through week 8 🙄😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I think that’s a secret....longer warm ups

, not for everyone, but they work for me 😉

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Well I'm definitely going to give it a good go and see what happens 🤗

[poppypug Graduate]

Ha ha ! You are very funny , what a great post, loved it

Another one ticked off , countdown in progression . Well done , despite the tights , you nailed it xxx

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to poppypug]

😂 Thank you.

Onward to week 8 tomorrow, with tights pulled further up ... or down 🤔

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Oh dear you do make me laugh!! It's good to know we are not alone with clothing problems... someone needs to design proper running gear, that's long enough and baggy enough to cover all kinds of 'housing' issues for normal women (well, as normal as it gets) !! Instead of having to be a size 10 if you don't want to get arrested for indecency! I wear a huge baggy vest that's super long but even that rides up in the wind. I think I need a running dress over my tights - now there's an idea!

You are doing amazingly well, nearly there!! Slow is fab, the other day I felt like l was in New Order True Faith video - so bloody slow I was running backwards. In fact their running outfits are perfect, now there's an idea! x

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

Oh my lovely, I make myself laugh sometimes... usually out loud, in public, for no apparent reason 😂

Bloody running clothes are a nightmare. I've had to return 3 pairs of running trousers already. Unfortunately 'camel toe' isn't listed as a reason for return..!! 😳🙈

I think you'd be on to a winner if you designed a running dress... get on to it 🤗

I had to watch that video to refresh my dusty old memory... yep, definitely a familiar feeling and those outfits... could you imagine what Mrs Spaniels would have to say...??? 😂😂😂

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

The way she looks at me I feel like I'm already wearing one!

I used to wear shell type capri length sporty trousers (don't ask!! I was desperate and it was before I succumbed to running tights) but the noise from my thighs chaffing together made my ears bleed so I had to stop!! Plus I felt like a roast in the bag turkey.

Maybe they should make running tights like cycling shorts, with a padded camel toe area to stop any unfortunate downstairs front bedroom type incidences!! Designers must all be evil size zero b*stardos, either that or they don't exercise.

No wonder we are out at the crack of dawn/under cloak of darkness to not to be see!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

As you have so rightly pointed out, she's just a cow 🐮

Shell typre capri..... what the f**k...??? 😂 Have you been nurturing them since the 80's..?? 😂😂

Liking the idea of padding out the downstairs front bedroom area 🤗

I think designers make these things up when they're pi**ed and have a really good laugh about it 😳

[Fishypieface Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

They were in the bargain (& sad git) section of Sports Direct for a fiver saying 'buy me' .... probably been there since 1987! 😂😂 I hoped they would cover up my lumps n bumps but instead they caused local noise pollution and friction burns!! 😳 lucky I didn't combust!!

Right! I'm gonna have a few then get the sewing machine out!! The result can't be any worse than what I've already got!😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Fishypieface]

Let that be a lesson to you..!! Whoa hoa, your buns are on fire 🔥 😂

Hahaha, photos please...!!! 🤣🤣

[rolysmate Graduate]

Well done great run at a very appropriate pace, wonderful write up and I hope you got your front downstairs bedroom decluttered

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

Haha, thank you, think we're all 'in order' now 😂

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Omg had me in stitches especially your downstairs front bedroom 😂😂😂 great post x

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Wantorun2013]

😂 thanks lovely 😂

[Razouski]

Wonderful post, I have laughed so much are Mr H-I-T-C's comments. 😂😂😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Yeah, I do too ..... sometimes 🙄😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

😂 thanks lovely.

Yes, going to try an even longer warm up tomorrow to get me in the mood 😉

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Oh, you make me laugh so much 🤣🤣🤣

Great post and a great run 🏃🏻‍♀️

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Kimchoc08]

😂 Thank you Kimchoc08 . Let's see what happens during week 8 😂

[TJMazz Graduate]

Currently sat in the hospital waiting room with my daughter and this post made me literally laugh out loud. 🤣

Well done for getting out there and completing that run. Husbands aren’t always good at the encouragement so it’s a good job we have our running friends to spur us on. Well done. Good luck with Week 8 🙋🏻

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to TJMazz]

... and everyone around you thought you were bonkers ... 😂

My husband is usually pretty awesome but he does come up with some blinders at times 🤦🏼‍♀️ But, yes, our running friends are by far my favourite 😆

Thank you. Hopefully things will get a little easier 🙄

[Hidden]

Hahaha - wow - what a very....erm....descriptive piece of writing! Well done on getting out there, with OldFloss, Your Front Bedroom, and compression tights in tow!!!

Onwards, and upwards....and now to unclutter that bedroom!!!

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Haha, thanks Scott 😂 I'll do my best 🙈

[misswobble Graduate]

I had no idea about the front bedroom!!! I was rolling my eyes at the state of my back bedroom 😁But let's not go there I spat my tea out at glistening sausage 😁

It made me laugh out loud at the thought of Old floss holding you back. I was singing "I can't turn you Loose", a fab running toon if ever there was one

m.youtube.com/watch?v=0xEvs...(Not working as expected?)

And you have a red injun name! Me and Murph were on about those the other day. I am Concrete Heels and she is Mowsalot

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Yes, it's a bit of a shocker 😳 I can't see my back bedroom easily so I try not to be concerned by it 😂

Concrete Heels ... love it..!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great post.. simply great... I love my compression leggings... I can imagine myself taut and toned.. slimline and svelte Which of course is exactly what I am

Go you....I bet you looked amazing... maybe the tone in his voice was.... admiring,,.... and a tad...wish he had some like yours

What a great run and well done you...just go at your own pace.... slow is fine...and as you hit next week.. try and relax... start slow, and stay slow...just let the newly found running legs take you... and enjoy each gentle moment... find your own happy pace

PS

Try the Underarmour running Knicks.. talk about tight...

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Taught, toned, slimline and svelte... I'm with you there 😉

Alas, I think not... but I'm a runner, so I'm invisible anyway 😆

Thank you, I shall happily plod on... and check out the Underarmour Knicks 😵

[Gabby08 Graduate]

Oh, this made me laugh out loud, partly because I’ve had to deal with similar comments from my husband about my downstairs front bedroom (though he called it something else entirely!) He makes me wear shorts over the top of my leggings now -ever since I popped into Tesco in my running gear - to make sure I’m not indecent! I have a fair bit of trouble with my upstairs bedrooms too, to be honest, especially as my sports bra seems to make me look like I’m half way through having an extension built...

I agree with Oldfloss about the Under Armour running knickers. Plenty of front bedroom clutter going on there - and some kind of dodgy sub-letting situation going on at the back. Yeesh! 😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Gabby08]

Gabby08 , that's hilarious. The torture we put ourselves through BEFORE we even get out the front door, just to make sure all of our junk is locked safely in the trunk 😂

[Gabby08 Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I’m still never entirely sure it’s locked safely, to be honest, although I’m yet to have any really serious wardrobe malfunctions. A male colleague had me in fits of giggles recently with a tale about splitting his compression tights...😳

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Gabby08]

Oh goodness. My sides are splitting, never mind my running attire! A subletting situtation - no idea what I've had this evening with my running leggings but I'm definitely not in control of what's inhabiting my dri-fit back there. Don't get me started on the scaffolding holding up and rearranging the upstairs floor!

[Gabby08 Graduate in reply to icklegui]

I have similar issues with both the dri-fit and the upstairs scaffolding 😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate]

A few years ago I had a 'head on' view of a runner who was experiencing a full frontal 'evacuation' from a pair of rather small shorts. I really wish he'd been safely gathered in to a pair of compression tights 😱

[Gabby08 Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds]

I recently bumped into an acquaintance who wasn’t wearing shorts over his compression tights and lets just say they left very little to the imagination. His downstairs front bedroom was enormous! 😂😂😂

[HeadInTheClouds Graduate in reply to Gabby08]

😳😵😱🙈😂

[zobles]

"your downstairs front bedroom looks a bit ... erm ... cluttered"

This is the funniest saying ive ever heard!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[Irishprincess Graduate]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[misswobble Graduate]

If you keep running regularly all will become safely gathered in 👍🙂