W8r3 - dodging the puddles

[RainbowC]

You know how sometimes everything seems to conspire against the whole idea of going for a run. Today:

* extreme tiredness (got home at 2am)

*lunch out with the in laws

*couldn’t find my glasses this afternoon once I took out my contact lenses

*running leggings not staying up properly, and coming worryingly close to showing the rest of the world what’s at the end of the rainbow! 😳

But I knew I had to do it, so having said bye to the in laws and located my glasses (on top of the washing machine in the utility room, of all bizarre places), I braved it.

The first half was just fighting against my mind. My legs just kept on going - tiredly but steadily - but my mind was telling me to stop and walk a bit. Fortunately I knew better than to listen to it, and kept plodding, wishing the time away. By the time the end of the first lap was in sight I’d just passed the halfway announcement, so told my self firmly that was enough nonsense and I could definitely do it from here.

The start of the second lap always feels a bit daunting, but this time I distracted myself by trying to work out where I’d be when Laura told me there was just five minutes remaining, and where I’d finish. And I was duly delighted when I was past the expected five minute announcement point, and felt that I had just about enough energy left to speed up a bit. And for the last minute I was really going for it, maybe just to prove some sort of point to myself!

But I did it! That’s week 8 finished; just one more week of the plan to go, them the really hard work begins of keeping the habit going and making sure I have the motivation and self-discipline to keep running and keep improving. That’s for after next week too. For now I’m going to have a well-earned cup of tea and an early night!

[JoP61 Graduate]

Well you've smashed Week 8, and I'm sure that Week 9 will be no problem for you, having done this all before. I had my first post-grad run today and found it very tempting to stop when I got really tired, but told myself that would be stupid given everything I've done so far. Still hard though. Good luck with Week 9 x 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to JoP61]

I really have! Despite trying to hold back and pace myself, todays run was my quickest in aaaaaaaages! And I definitely had enough in the tank in those last few minutes that I found I’d kept to the same steady pace I could have managed an extra couple of minutes. So I *should* be ok next week... until it’s time to actually do it!

[Melo_smiles Graduate]

Fantastic RainbowC and I actually laughed out loud when I read about your running leggings 😂🌈

You are doing amazing and that podium is insight 👏👏 happy running in Wk9 🏃🏼‍♀️

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to Melo_smiles]

Somehow the closer it gets, the more nervous I get for each run! My mind just hasn’t yet caught up to the idea that I can actually run for this length of time without needing to stress over it. My leggings, on the other hand, are a legitimate source of concern...! 🙄

[Hidden]

Leggings - I have a pair of Norah Batty’s too, that have an annoying habit of running down my legs. After advice here, I sewed together two old trainer laces and made a hole in the waistband and threaded the laces through. It’s a bit Blue Peter, but they don’t droop anymore, because I thought I was going to get a restraining order for the inappropriate hoisting being done in public!

Well done on getting this far - there are loads of ways to keep going post graduation , just spend some time working out what it is you want from your running and I’m sure you’ll work up a good recipe.

That podium is waiting for you

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That’s a good solution - I’ll have to try and get round to it...!

I’m doing the colour obstacle rush (again) in May with DD2, but since the running gets interrupted by the obstacles, I’m also looking for a fun ‘proper’ 5k. There’s one in late April which I’m tempted by, depending on if I can have the car to get there...

Longer term, the plan is to do another 10k, but I haven’t yet seen one that makes me think ‘this is it!’. I’ll keep looking, and in the meantime keep running. What I know from experience now is that I need to get something booked in for September to make sure I keep running over the summer!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant, brilliant... well done you! I love how we have these conversation with ourselves, and the power we have too....

You are nearly there... and can have virtual second Graduation

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You have no idea how often I invoke your name as one of the list of people who believe I can do this, and who encourage me to keep going when it’s tough!

I still can’t quite believe that I’ve nearly got to the end now!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RainbowC]

Yet, here you are

[MrsPsycho Graduate]

well done ^_^