W9R1 - take a bough

[Jay66UK]

Not an auspicious day for a run.

Yesterday was a very busy work day as I run up to 10 days leave plus some family issues thrown in. Last night I had great trouble getting to sleep. And it was forecast rain.

Alarm at 6:15am. I snooze it all the way past 7am. My legs ache. I’m tired and thirsty. Don’t make me do this.

Oh. Alright then. Up I get and drag my bones through my morning run routine - find my gear, bathroom visit, brush teeth, get my shoes on, headphones, music, app, key, kitchen sink...

Outside and then weather is perfect for running. Overcast with a breeze taking the edge off quite warm air. Maybe this will be ok after all.

Fast first 5 min walk then we are off and running. Ah. Friday. I love the smell of wheelie bins in the morning. Mental note that it will be a slalom on the way back as the bin men leave them strewn across the pavements.

Real trouble getting my breath and loads of overgrown bushes and trees to dodge as well as the bins. At times I have to choose between hitting massive boughs and running in front of lorries.

My head is telling me that I am wasting my time. I’m not going to run 5 minutes let alone 30. I can feel my shoulders rise and my head drop. I then think of you lot on here and how I can’t face posting about how I didn’t do it.

Breath starts to ease, as does my mind. I’m in a rhythm and I’m ok. Just grind out the steps.

Halfway and I’ve run farther than before. Turn and head for home. It sounds so easy.

Sirens Hill (pictured) nearly kills me today - I really needed a rope to pull myself up it - but I get there.

This is clearly the edge of how long I can run at the moment - 3.30k of running - and I’m thinking a full Parkrun is out of my reach just yet.

Real sense of achievement but boy I’m tired after that.

Whatever run you have next, enjoy it x

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

What an incredible feeling! Well done you 🙌👊 The podium is in sight and we will all be there cheering you on!! 👏👏

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

It is the best feeling I’ve experienced in a long time.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We are watching........ well done........

I have often wondered whether I would still be running after setbacks, were it not for this community looking over my shoulder.

We can do this together!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

It is a great motivator - feeling I don’t want to let down those I’m following along this path or those who are coming up behind.

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Exactly! Had Sallenson on my shoulder shouting all the way this morning - couldn't do it without you guys.

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Well done!! 30 minutes! That's brilliant!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

So pleased. 2 more runs!

[lexi6 Graduate]

Whoo hoo! Jay. Brilliant you!👍

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Thanks. I’m a bit walking on air right now.

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I couldn’t stop grinning, doesn’t it feel great, rest them legs for the next one

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to lexi6]

There is only one thing I can compare the feeling to. And this is a family show.

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Haha, nudge wink!

[pianoteacher Graduate]

Excellent work Jay! Bin day here too but no running for me.

I'm here in my role as Parkrun advocate again Please don't feel that it's out of your reach because of how far you can run. There is absolutely no obligation to run it all. I'm doing it with my asthmatic son a week tomorrow and there's no way he'll manage to run the whole thing.

Of course it's a personal decision - you may feel that you want to wait until you can run the whole course. After Graduation there will be plenty of time to consolidate distance and with continued practise you definitely will get there x

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

So I’ve thought on this and I am sticking to my plan. R2 and R3 complete by Wednesday. Rest on Thursday and Friday. First Parkrun a week on Saturday at Lyme Park in Cheshire as my first post-grad run. I will do the 5-30-5 pattern of week 9 and the carry on walking the final half K. Thanks for the encouragement - I wouldn’t even be considering it yet without you and others pathfinding for me.

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Good Plan - I walked the first 5 mins last week and the week before.

Going to scouts pace it with my son - just need to work out how long he can run for before the wheeze kicks in!

[alisonx Graduate]

Wooo! Go you - how amazing was that!!! You did it. And threw in a hill for good measure!

This group is truly motivating and inspirational, and stories like this keep on inspiring people.

Bring on run 2 eh

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to alisonx]

Can’t wait. Well, I can. But, you know!

[alisonx Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

you will be a graduate before you know it!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to alisonx]

Oh boy 😜

[Mrscindyb]

Not long til the end. I am the same very slow but to be honest with me at moment it’s not the distance but the stamina and period of running. So a very well done to you. X

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Mrscindyb]

Thanks so much. Anyone can run fast. Not everyone can run for 30 minutes non stop 👊

[ejbee Graduate]

Well done! I know the feeling of “oh for the love of Christ woman stop” lol but like you I’ve come too far! So carry on we must and it feels bloody amazing!😃👍🏻

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to ejbee]

I know. It’s amazing how far we’ve come. I’m sat just at total peace, even though I’m at work.

[Lorijay Graduate]

Brilliant, Brilliant Brilliant!! Great post, great achievement, great guy, enjoy the afterglow!!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Lorijay]

Buzzing!

[limberlou Graduate]

Well down Jay. We did the “halfway and turn” runs and you do find it spurs you on when you realise it’s a little bit further each time. I ran this morning and am still still in a little high, keep getting distracted from what I’m doing and finding myself just smiling away... or sneaking back into the Garmin Connect app just to look at another set of stats and smile. My longest continuous run this morning so I shall be smiling for some time yet I expect. 😁

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to limberlou]

Well done!

Not every run I’ve done has been a joy but after every run I either have a massive high or a deep calmness.

I’m now over 3 hours post run and I am still totally relaxed, despite fielding no end of work nonsense.

If it were a drug you’d be able to charge a high price.

[misswobble Graduate]

I play wheelie bin slalom It’s elbows up as we have a narrow pavement. Good game good game 😁

If you feel a run is not going well and it’s hard blah blah, slow it right down. Once you slow it right down, things get calmer, and you can jog on hopefully in peace I never give up on a run. You can always salvage a bad un 😃👍🏃‍♂️

Enjoy the rest of your day happy in the knowledge that the run is done 😃

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Thank you!

[18Windmill Graduate]

Well done...so nearly there! 👏👏👏

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

I can see it, just around that bend there.

[Kar43]

Well done jay 😉you beat those negative thoughts completely 👍

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Kar43]

Thanks. It frustrates me that they still come but I’m getting used to showing them who’s boss now.

[Kar43 in reply to Jay66UK]

They come to me now and then but like you I win 👍. they never came close on my last run they must've known better 😉

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Kar43]

Excellent - I’m looking forward to that.

[Hidden]

Hey you did great. Struggled but still did it! Give yourself a large pat on the back. As others have said - that podium is in sight now.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Mumsygill Graduate]

Brilliant jay! Such a great positive post . Can’t wait to see you on that podium. Your medal awaits soon. Enjoy your last two runs x

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Mumsygill]

Thank you so much x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Cruise gently to the podium Slow.. steady... I am that voice in your ear...

Very well done... !

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes, miss!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I have to look after you all