The last couple of weeks I've watched the newly fledged blackbird chicks in our garden. They sit on the patio, feathers fluffed, wings fluttering, cheeping at mum or dad, as the bedraggled, harassed parent shovels fat pellets and seeds up from the ground at its feet and deposits them into its gaping beak. There is a fledgling at the junction of the lane where I walk to work too- hopping around aimlessly, a little lost, randomly turning over a leaf, and clearly wondering what happened to the food supply.
I kind of felt a bit like that blackbird chick yesterday, on my first postgrad run. I ended up listening to the week 9 podcast all over again as a kind of comfort blanket - I couldn't imagine doing it without Laura and hadn't figured out how to put my own playlist together. Laura's probably thinking 'Bugger off, I've got new chicks to feed, the food's right there at your feet!' (or maybe that's the blackbirds), but I might need to do a little more cheeping and fluttering before I'm fully doing this on my own. Sorry Laura.
Written by
Eiralas
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I definitely relate. My first post-graduation run today was like jumping out of the nest and nosediving to the floor below. Luckily, i've learnt not to dwell too much on a bad run.
Maybe I should have plunged out of the nest rather than dithering about on the edge. The run was fine, much the same as the runs in week 9, just need to convince myself that I don't need to be listening to Laura in order to do them
There seem to be lots of options to do. I think nearly all of them recommend some consolidation runs in different routes. I might try one with a hill (only a very small one).
Yes I'm definitely planning on just doing some more of these 30 min runs before branching out. I'm with you on the small hill - I feel embarrassed to admit it, having grown up in Snowdonia, but I'm a tad scared of trying to run up a hill!
Well done you! It's a slightly strange feeling doing this as a new regular part of my life rather than doing it because I'm following the plan. How did your run go?
What a lovely analogy! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going back to Laura, you can just slowly wean yourself off but you know she is there, waiting in the nest, if you need her ever again.
Haha yes you're right- it is a bit like that first step in week 1 all over again. Didn't help that I'd intended to run on Wednesday, but realised I had to collect my prescription after work before the pharmacy closed instead (resulting in an Extremely Brisk Walk across town and up and down hills), then had nights out planned with friends on Thursday and Friday, and then didn't fancy running in the monsoon that was Saturday. Still I got there in the end. Thanks for the encouragement
Yes we will! Good to know I'm not the only one clinging to Laura/Michael/trainer of choice. I can imagine the seasoned runners looking at us going 'ah they're so cute!' Just like I do with the blackbird chicks
I so relate to this. When I first graduated I couldn't think about running without Laura and used the Week 9 podcast probably for two weeks while I worked out how to put together a playlist. It was definitely a comfort blanket too, still having her alongside me telling me when to run and when to walk. I gradually weaned myself off and am now much happier running with my own choice of tracks.
I have quite a low boredom threshold so have to change playlists from time to time. Tomorrow I have a new playlist to run to inspired by music in the Shrek Movies. I'll be posting the list along with my run report tomorrow. I've also posted suggestions for a 1960s playlist. It's worth using the search on this forum to get ideas if you're not sure, and Hidden has put several playlists on Spotify too. (I don't have Spotify as hubby subscribes to Deezer).
You'll know when you're ready to run without Laura
Thanks Razouski, that's reassuring. And thanks for the playlist suggestions, I'll have to have a look. I just have my iPod - no Spotify and no smartphone - but I'm sure I'll figure something out. In the meantime, there's Laura
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
First park run done!!
My first free run!! 
Week 6 R1 & First Tarmac Run
First run without Laura, without music...
My first day
