Finding the joy

[VDubya]

So, after a month or so of consolidation, I'm finally running 5K 'comfortably'. What a glorious feeling!

I hope you don't mind if I ramble for a bit, but I think the most important part of C25K for me has been learning to like (maybe even *whispers* love) running.

Because I HATED running at school - it was painful and humiliating. Always the last over the line, legs in pain, out of breath, being laughed at by everyone. I even have memories of being laughed at by the staff on one particular cross-country hell! And so my journey over the last few months has been as much mental as physical.

I had to stop thinking about where I was in the programme, or how many runs I'd had to repeat, or about weight loss or health benefits or targets. I had to stop comparing myself to others and just try to find the joy in the moment. Because I knew that if I didn't enjoy myself, then running would always be a battle and eventually the couch would win.

My joy was being in the countryside with my dog, preferably at sunrise when it felt like we had the whole world to ourselves. Using my body and the feeling of it getting a little bit stronger every time we went out. And of course making sure I had some super cheesy, empowering tunes to get me through any of the tougher bits. I defy anyone not to get some joy from belting out 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' while doing a sprint-finish.

So, what next? I really really want to take part in a ParkRun, but I'm so worried about that 'last over the line' thing. My local event is a fast one! Even the thought of sympathetic encouragement makes me want to curl up and die, and I don't want that mental set-back.

So maybe a few more 5Ks with the dog and we'll just see what the rest of the spring brings....

[Amandana]

Love this post!! Woohoo for 5k!!

I remember loving running several years ago, and it's hard to imagine getting back to that when the runs are tough (I'm in week 3), so thank you for your post!

[VDubya Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Woohoo indeed!!

Good luck with the rest of your journey.

[Hidden]

Brilliant and it’s great that you ‘like’ running. Park runs are one of the most joyful things you can do, why not register anyway then that way you can see previous park run results and see what the pace is like before committing to doing that specific one. If your local one is fast - you could be a park run tourist and find another one a little gentler...

If I’m honest I am not sure I am a natural park runner, I generally prefer running on my own as I get my head sorted on my own. I tried mine in central London and if I’m honest the first one put me off, as there were some semi-pro runners who lapped me, oh and lets not forget the two dads running with buggies who also lapped me. The shame!

But then I read something the founder of parkrun said which is he is not in the least bit interested in the ‘club’ runners, they are using park run as benchmarking and practice. He is far more interested in the normal folk, who have battled to get out and to run. He thinks the back markers are much more of interest than the frontrunners... oh and park run is actually meant for the back runners anyway...

Good luck in your new running life regardless of whether you become a parkrunner.

[VDubya Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Being lapped by club runners is just the sort of thing to bring back the school sports day flashbacks!! But I do want to try a Parkrun, so being a tourist at a slower event is a definite maybe. Thank you for the insights into the event founder, nice to know.

[Hidden]

Well done you. It is a joy isn't it. Sometimes I just cannot believe that my 'go to run' is a gentle 5k. What about a Canicross? Parkrun hasn't really appealed but parkrun plus dog.....hmmm, maybe

[VDubya Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I’ve been thinking about Canicross, I might have to visit a local one to find out more. Except my dog likes running next to me in a sociable sort of fashion, which isn’t very Canicross.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

What a great post...very well done you. You are progressing wonderfully...If you want to do the Park Run do it...but when you are ready... you will know when it is right...

The last over the line.. that is always the tail runners There will be folk walking and running and you run, your own run...

Slow and steady, take it in your own time

[VDubya Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you.