W9R1 All in the mind!

[Marvo69]

Last night, like a malevolent tooth fairy, the running gremlins slipped in. They poured concrete into my spinal column, placed doubt in my mind, sucked me dry of energy, tightened my muscles and delayed my start until the heat of the midday sun! Oh and I had a Paula Radcliffe moment! Well not quite, but I wish I'd been before I left home! I tell my kids that every day. School boy error!

Taking confidence from @sallenson I decided to run without help from Laura too. Mistake. I had to keep looking at my watch and by Christ, time passes slowly when you do that!

So many times I wanted to stop. It's not happening today. Various landmarks on the route early on in the run seemed to take an age to reach. I felt exhausted and beaten before I really got going. I can't do this today. It's not happening.

"Don't you dare stop! Slow up if you need to but don't bloody stop now"!

.. And repeat...

I don't know how I managed my 30 minutes today. Other days I've trotted on for 35 minutes or so. Today I collapsed at 30 minutes and 2 seconds!

And in hindsight, it's my proudest run yet. Not fast. Not comfortable. No gliding path beneath me. But I did it. I bloody finished.

Today was not muscle building. Today was bulking up the mind. Runs won't always, or even often, come easy, so we have to learn to tough it out. Even when we really want to stop and walk!

So, it was a good run. Good because I managed to fight to the end.

Mental fortitude is a necessary element of success.

Push hard!

#you can do it!

2 runs to go!

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Oh well done! We had that run last run. Was bloody hard work!! But we pushed on. Saw after the run that we'd been going slightly too fast and it was so humid! But we kept going, like you did. Hope your last two runs go well. I graduate tomorrow if all goes well....!

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Thanks! Will be cheering you on tomorrow!! 🎓🎊🍾🍾

[Ang33333 Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

Thank you!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Very well done. The mental resilience has been one of the best side effects of this programme for me.

Good luck with the last runs. And what beautiful countryside you run in.

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay! Got there in the end, and you're right. Mental strength is a great benefit. Lucky- East Sussex and Ashdown Forest on my doorstep.

[Hidden]

Well done on completing the run despite all the possible doubts ..

Yup some days it is just hell but that just makes the good ones so much better .

As you say nearly there .. don't lose sight of hoe far you have come .. you got this !!

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rob. More enjoyable runs to come!!

[Jullaly Graduate]

well done, race you to the podium lol

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

Happy just to get there! Go you! X

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

are you up there yet?!

[Jullaly Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

one more run to do! unfortunately I am away this weekend so may not have an opportunity to do wk9r3 but i will take my running gear just in case

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

Come on you... No slacking😃

I took my shorts to Frankfurt this week, on business, and managed to squeeze my run in before meeting in the bar!

[Jullaly Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

lol now I'm feeling guilty, well done you. So when do you jump on that podium?

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

done! today - just writing my blog

[Jullaly Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

very well done, so excited for you, can't wait to read

[SendWine Graduate]

Well done Marvo 👍 I'm right behind you so you've got to keep going or I'll have to trample over you 🏃‍♀️ and don't think I won't 😜

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to SendWine]

Oooh I'm looking forward to that! X 😄 have a great week Wino x

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Wow! I have never thought of a hard run that way before but by jingo I think you are onto something - bulking up the mind! Genius! That’s exactly what these runs do.

Very well done. Very.

Sadie-runs 🏃‍♀️👏

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie! Sometimes it's tough I guess! But we're doing something great for ourselves and have come so far. I'll never be an Olympian but doing your best is what I demand of my children, and now, of myself too, so sometimes just finishing is great! How's the 10k going!?

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

Great attitude. 👌

Early days in my 10k adventures, Marvo, but am feeling very motivated and focussed. Very much a mind game, so fingers crossed my pea brain is up to it! 😂

[pianoteacher Graduate]

Well done! You should feel very proud of getting though that one

Did the same run this morning - see you on the podium x

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

See you there! Though I may need helping up! Have a great week sweetie x

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

Haha! You too x

[sallenson Graduate]

Well done for gritting it out Matt. And on a pretty hot and humid day. With a hat. And no loo roll to hand.

You'll be lost in the land of 10K by the end of the week tho. Just 2 more of these to do!!

I'm still occasionally finding that "C'mon you fat b*stard" works for me as a mantra than "You're doing fine darling"

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thanks mate! I had that exact thought today! Got there though

You'll be up soon, then park run party!

[Tiny51]

An inspiration!!....you’te so nearly there, fair play to you 👍👍

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Great run mate. You showed those gremlins how it's done. Perhaps stay out of the midday heat for the next 2, then you'll be cool as a cucumber. Well done for sticking with it.

[Kar43]

Well done Matt fab job 👍

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Kar43]

Thanks Kar! Hopefully they'll seem easier after that one!

[Kar43 in reply to Marvo69]

I'm sure they will ✅

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Well done for getting to the end... 2 more to go 😃

[Marvo69 Graduate in reply to Bridget007]

Thanks Bridget

Shocked that the finish tape is in sight. Never would have believed 2 months ago!

[Flick118 Graduate]

I had exactly the same issue today, W9R1 really drained me, I struggled towards the end and really felt like giving up but didn’t. Well done almost graduation time.

[Hidden]

Well done for pushing through. I know how hard that is. I've had runs like that too. I know Sallenson recommended ditching the app but I haven't & I don't think I will until I graduate (sshhh - don't tell him - he'll set the jelly babies on me!). Precisely for that reason - I know I would start clock watching & that would put me off. Two more runs & you're at the podium my friend. Keep on keeping on. You got this.