No, weather, you won't win!

Well hello my fellow intrepid runners!

Firstly, let me apologise for not replying to all the comments on my last post. Work has been manic this last week or so and I simply haven't got to it. I couldn't run Wednesday (day off), as the rain was unrelenting. And this is proper northern rain, not your half-baked southern rain

This weekend has also been a bit of a nightmare as I've had my 2 girls staying with me, which is lovely, but if it's a choice between them and running, as I only see them every couple of weeks now, they have to come first. Both of them have threatened to come with me, but never actually have lol

Anyway, I had a very small window this morning, the weather was good, so off I went. Now, I totally get that I probably should be doing 30 minutes 3 times a week. I do. And as soon as the evenings are light enough to run, I certainly will be. For now, I figure that a couple of times a week is better than no times a week.

Today's run actually felt really good. Spurred on by the good talking to I gave myself a few days back, I paced myself much better, and even though this was my winter route which is uphill on the way and downhill on the way back (duh!) I was fine. If I felt out of breath, I just slowed down, which meant the hilly stage was done without issue. Looking back at my stats, I even managed a sub 6 minute km on the downhill section, which I was very pleased with. Totally unintentional, but it felt fine.

So I've not given up yet, nor am I giving up any time soon. To anyone who is doubting whether running is good for you, since taking up running at the grand old age of 42, I've felt so much better physically, got less tired, and the effect on my mental health has been massive. I am on antidepressants, but the dose hasn't changed during or since C25K, and I'm so much happier and mentally stable. That may be down to other factors as well, but I just know the running has been a significant part of that, plus the encouragement from all you lovely folk.

Oh finally, one of the messages I failed to reply to was from the lovely Sadie-runs of course. Sadie - congratulations on your sub-30 minute 5K! Proud of you

[DeterminedBear Graduate]

Very well done!

[Hidden in reply to DeterminedBear]

Thank you! At least I’m still running

[DeterminedBear Graduate in reply to Hidden]

And have two beautiful daughters. Can't go wrong!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Yay! Thank you for posting your run report; that sounded like a very satisfying venture out. You are still running, and that’s what counts - twice a week is good, and like you say, if you want to get out more, lighter evenings and better weather are on the way! My morning runs are now totally light and I am loving that - not so many “jumpy-what-was-that?!” runs for me now, and I can get back to my beloved park in the morning, rather than the loop around the streets I have to do when it’s dark.

Glad too to hear of all the benefits you are reaping from your running. 👌

And thanks! My sub-30 mins 5k was a freak incident, but it’s good to know I now have it in me. 😀

Happy running, Neil.

Sadie-runs x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Hi Sadie, thanks for all your support! I'm sure I will start running before work and stuff, but I've found the depression is quite energy sapping, and couple that with an 60 to 90 minute drives each side of work, if I regularly got up at 5am I'd be exhausted I think! I did do that a few times whilst completing the final weeks of C25K, but it did rather turn me into a zombie, and non the running sort, just the sleepy sort!!!

So glad you can do your park running, I'm quite jealous actually. You're doing great, and you should be very very proud of yourself!!

[Nannalyn53 Graduate]

Good for you especially feeling your mental health improving. Depression is the pits (I have a sister who’s suffered all her life) and yet you have sustained a massive commitment like C25k. That’s a very big step indeed. Good luck on your road to even greater well being.

[Hidden in reply to Nannalyn53]

Awww thank you, that's kind. It was indeed a big step, but I had to take back control of my life and start changing things for the positive. And it's been great actually. I always wonder whether I'm too tired, and most of the time really really enjoy it, and that buzz after a good run is just like a drug!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Great to hear from you and that sounds like a great run.

We all have good intentions but life conspires. Sometimes you just have to be patient but it does pay off when you have a great run!

Well done 👍

[Hidden in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

You are, of course, right, and very wise! I do get impatient sometimes, I'll admit that Like, being really impatient for daylight when I finish work, I could go for nice half hour runs down the canal to de-stress from the day and the Stockport traffic.

Now if only I could find a bacon buttie shop at the far point of my run... oh, wait, probably not such a great idea lol

[Nictwit Graduate]

Twice a week is so much better than nothing. Keep on going!

[Hidden in reply to Nictwit]

Thank you Nictwit that's my theory too, and I'm sticking to it! I am a little impatient for the better weather though, I have plans and goals, not least of which is my first park run, whenever that will be. I'm just slightly apprehensive of running with a bunch of people who are probably a lot fitter and faster than me

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done Neil! A positive post which we all need to read

I am glad you had a lovely weekend with your girls and such a great run too.

I laughed when I read about the downhill 6 minute K..I remember doing 3K in 18 minutes... all downhill and with a tail wind..it has never happened again... ( yet :))

Stick around Neil.. we miss you when you are away. You are doing brilliantly..!

PS

See.. not a mention of, slow and steady, anywhere

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss , you are always such a great encouragement. I just had to do some mental arithmetic... 18 minutes / 3K = ..... ah, 6 minutes per km

Right - nearly bed time for me. I now have a bad cough, so consequently lots of tea is required to fix that!!

[Michele2017 Graduate]

Well done you. I think the positive impact on mental health cannot be underestimated, all that adrenaline leaving your body replaced by nice relaxedness. Its amazing it making you happier. I did this for my own mental health as Im sleep deprived and looking after two young kids and can get anxious and stressed very easily. I take great B Vitamins and Vit D which also help with this. I am a therapist by trade and so really wanted to do some self care after giving so much to my kids and running is just that. It makes me calmer and happier and I SO look forward to that time on my own. Thanks for the post keep posting x

[Hidden in reply to Michele2017]

Thanks Michelle, and you're so right about the impact on mental health. I'm already taking vitamins and folic acid (for some reason!) on the advice of the doctor. The running is really helping, and it sounds like it's helping you too, which, trust me, is so encouraging to hear. it sounds like you have a very full life, and I'm so glad you can treasure those moments to yourself.

Take care of yourself, OK?

[Michele2017 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I am now on week 6 so excited to see whats in store X

[Hidden in reply to Michele2017]

Oh I loved week 6, it was a real turning point for me, when I started to believe I could actually do this!! Enjoy

[Michele2017 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

thank you!