Well, hits the streets early this morning for my first run of 2018. Actually, I just about crawled out the door, but Small Town Boy - Bronski Beat was flooding through my ears and soon I felt like I was in my own gritty 80s B movie as I warmed up through the quiet, still streets. It’s quite a wonderful time of day, a gorgeous intense blue glow turning to pinky red before the sun comes up, so much better than twilight. Something I have never appreciated (a.k.a. hauled my lazy a*se out of bed for) before becoming a runner.
I was in such a stinkingly foul mood. Very little sleep all night only to fall asleep half an hour before I should be getting up and then feeling like someone had smacked me round the head with a brick. I could quite easily have started a row with the pavement. This is most unlike me, I’d normally apologise to it for being so heavy footed. But actually I felt quite good, this is my run and no one can stop me! Grrrr.
My running pattern has been every other day since about October, which suits me nicely. I was really looking forward to some leisurely running over the festive period (more than anything else in fact) but my left leg has been playing up (I’m thinking it’s the camber of the pavement?! They are all visibly slanted around here). Plus I’ve been increasing my runs on the 10k plan. So I’ve had to take quite a few rest days and put the plan on hold. Grrrr. My Christmas morning and New Year’s Day run both went out the window. Which caused me to pout like a spoilt child, Santa didn’t bring me my run. Double Grrrr.
Anyway, when I finally got over myself and - because we all do it at this time of year - I’ve had the time to think over my running journey so far, in the brief 7 months I’ve been at it. It is most definitely the very best thing that I’ve done for myself, dare I say ever? As far as ‘self-care’ (the new in phrase! *eye roll*) goes, most definitely. I’ve learnt SO much about myself, life, other people and continue to do so every run. It’s been intense, SO blinking emotional, probably because I’ve got over some major self-confidence hurdles that I never really thought I ever could. I’m thinner (still a way to go though, but getting there), firmer, stronger. I’m doing this just for me and loving (if not believing) the results.
And then there’s this place, an unbelievable oasis of encouragement. It is the absolute truth to say that I wouldn’t be out running now if it wasn’t for all of the support, advice & help, laughs and friendship that is so willing given amongst relative strangers. That in itself is a modern day wonder, when you think what social media can be like. Thank you all for everything you’ve done in turning me into a runner! (Ooo, do I sound like I’ve won an Oscar?… I’d just like to thank my cat for tripping me up in the early days when I was running round the garden and to Badedas for THE best foam baths…).
So today, when I went out, my anger soon dissolved into pure joy (now that’s rare on any run!). I took it easy, my leg held out and felt strong. I was back doing this mad thing and it felt …. amazing. I felt confident, I felt like a runner. I felt like I belonged!! The rest has done me good, in more ways than one. So many lessons still to learn, so many more things I hope to achieve. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into my 2018 running. Wishing you all a wonderful running year too xxx
Written by
Fishypieface
Graduate
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Oh FPF - what a lovely post, despite the sulky angry start to your running this year. I remember when you broke free of the garden and the cast of characters you've introduced us to since then. Keep running and Oscar-speeching x
Thank icklegui All seems like a long time ago now! Haven't seen many of the characters recently, maybe that will change when the clocks go back... mind you, I'm quite glad!
Thanks Jan. I'm going to take it easy on the 10km. I'll test the water and leave it awhile longer if I need to. Thanks to you for all of your fab advice and encouragement xx
Fishy, hugs to you, I find bad mood runs are actually really good because the damned thing just vanishes away. You've been a wonderful support here too you know, not least causing me to laugh so hard.... xxx happy running (ooh 10K)
You too, I love your enthusiasm, keeps me going to know you are enjoying it out there 10k... remains to be seen, could be on hold awhile. I am more keen to get out every other day than risk not at all, now that I've had a little taster of the IC. Enjoy your next run xx
Yay, another Fishypieface post to keep it real and make me smile! A joy, as usual, to read. Glad you had a great run to help improve the bad night of sleep and foul mood, those are the best!
Lovely, lovely post! Glad you got out there and enjoyed the run, which in turn eclipsed the bad mood. Running is magical, ain't it?! Good work, FPF. 👏
As for the pesky camber, could you reverse the route now and then? I did that after my dodgy hip incident, as a stretch of my weekday route had a bit of a slope.
Ah thanks Sadie-runs! Certainly is magical (sometimes!!). I think I will run on the road for a bit - very quiet residential crescent where no one drives at 6.30am. I try to reverse it but doesn't seem to help. Did I read you are on the IC? Hope you aren't/are heading towards getting back out there. x
Sounds like a good plan, but am very pleased your leg felt good and strong today. Maybe just a niggle, especially as you had been increasing your distances. I am indeed on the IC, with a pulled hamstring. These take ages to heal, sadly. I have resigned myself to two more weeks rest, and then restarting the programme to ease back in. Currently fluctuating between despair and philosophical. Today has been philosophical so bearing up! xx
Oh no poor you x. Sounds like a very sensible approach though. We definitely learn about ourselves through all this running lark - how to cope mentally with injuries, never mind the physical. Opened my eyes to a whole new world I never even thought existed!! Good luck when you do get back out there, we'll be here for you if you need us
Yup, the whole physical side of running seems a piece of cake compared with the mental/emotional side of not being able to run when it's all you want to do! But, I am going to woman-up and deal with it. 😀 Doing C25K has allowed me to prove to myself I am made of stern stuff! Thank you, lovely Fishypieface. x
They definitely sell it in Boots or cheaper on Amazon. Can't do a bath unless it's Badedas! Only buy it at Christmas though, that's been drummed into me since childhood as it's too expensive for year round use - according to my mum! Child of the 70s, oh yeah.
Oooh Badedas & Bronski Beat - you're speaking my 80s language! I'm having a morning like that today & your post has shaken me into just going out & getting on with it - thanks! Happy runnings to you throughout the coming year.
Thanks, you too! Well done for getting out there! I think as I get older I am reverting back into the 80s. All my favourite things seem to come from that decade, I might as well just morph back. Apart from the hair.... never again!!
Loads of great Bronski Beat and Communards songs - I've just got back into vinyl (for the 2nd time round!) and bought some old LPs of theirs... Fab stuff! So evocative of that era.
You are fabulous Fishypieface ...your posts are hilarious, emotional & inspiring...you’ve given me so much encouragement & support & I am also not sure I would still be running if I wasn’t on here...i look forward to reading your posts for a long time to come my friend xx
You too MC, you are doing just fab and you always have just the right thing to say to everyone. We all keep each other going which is a wonderful thing to be apart of. Long may it carry on! xx
Ah, my lovely Fishy, what a great post (although I did feel a little scared for the pavement)..!! As you know, I do like a good angry run myself ☺️
I have Smalltown Boy on my playlist, but I find it hard to refrain from yanking my tights up under my armpits and dancing up the street like Jimmy Somerville whenever it comes on..!! 🤦🏻♀️
You really have had quite a journey, which is what makes you so inspirationally awesome (or is it awesomely inspirational)..?? 🤔 Whichever it is, you rock and you certainly smashed this run.
My last (ugly) run was on Christmas Day, then I got flattened by the lurgy. I’ve shoved my head so far up my own back side that nobody would see me pouting like a spoilt child..!! I am sooo miffed.
But, hey, we’re all having ups and downs right now for one reason or another and we’ll all get through with support from each other.
I’m so pleased you had a fantastic run, sponsored by Badedas. Keep it up lovely, you’re going to be breezing through 10k before you know it 🤗
You should definitely do that! Jimmy dancing should be made a law of life. So sorry you've had the lurgy, everyone seems to have had something recently or an injury but that's no fun at all is it - since Christmas Day - poor you . Hope you are feeling better v soon and can get back out there. I think I will have to put off the 10k for a bit, my leg is still twingey (?!) and awkward today and I don't really know why.
You are so funny HITC, you always make us laugh, even when you probably don't feel like it. I am back to work tomorrow, I know I've had a lovely long time off, but I so DON'T want to go back EVER - my pouting head will be lodged so far up my own behind it'll have to be surgically extracted!!
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xxx
. Hope you are feeling better v soon and can get back out there. I think I will have to put off the 10k for a bit, my leg is still twingey (?!) and awkward today and I don't really know why. 
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