post-baby return to running, week 4. Which means, dear reader, Doom Approaches...

[the_tea_fairy]

Exhibit a: Observe my face smiling whilst running 13 miles up an actual mountain just under 3 years ago.

Exhibit b: Observe my face being very calm and zen even though I have been in labour for 14 hours and have just been told they're taking me to theatre to attempt a 'manual rotation' of my stuck baby and that this means *they are going to take away the gas and air any second*

Exhibit c: Despite the evidence above that I am a reasonably tough cookie, observe my face thinking about week 5. Oh ye gods, week 5! It's coming! Send good thoughts!

Seems to be taking me about 10 days to get through a week rather than 7 due to hungry baby and busy husband, but I'm walking lots with about 20lbs of person strapped to my front in between, so am hoping 3 repeats of each run and then moving on is still ok. We shall see.

Hope you're all doing well and enjoying any interludes of sunshine between the howling gales and sleet that seem to be all over at the moment.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

You are doing so well Tea, inspirational! Keep going runner!

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Week 5 Run 3 is where it gets fun.

No more stop/ starting; just long happy runs unfettered by walking breaks.

Your body gets to settle instead into a nice steady rhythm. Bring it on!

[Hidden]

Ye gods, I couldnt have walked to the shops post baby, let alone done week 5. You are a goddess!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Fabulous pics and great to see you back

[Fiona_B Graduate]

*good thoughts* X

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Come on TF, you know better than to get nervous before a run!

Tension and anxiety are your worst enemies. Just take some deep breaths, pretend you are still hooked up to gas and air and smile your way through it.............and don't forget the compulsory grinning exercises before W5R3.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Goodshout on the grinning actually👍🏼

[Hidden]

Anyone who did childbirth will jump all over week 5!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've done it before, too, but it seems the fear is not diminished by repetition 😉

[Hidden in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Just the same as childbirth

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Haha, I think I'm a way off finding out, but I strongly suspect you're right. Planning one of those small, soft, right-way-round babies next time 😉

[Irishprincess Graduate]

You know you've got this TF. You're a C25K'er 💪