I'm still here!

[rollyrol]

So it's about 2 months ago that I graduated and wrote a rather euphoric post about my journey but it occurred to me that I haven't said much since and I don't want anyone thinking I've been slacking!

In fact I've been going out three times a week and running between 4 and 6 km a time. However, I've been struggling with hills and struggling with my mental attitude.... My mind was shouting at me to stop running, to walk the rest of the hill, to take it easy and cut my route short. Sometimes I listened, it was fairly hard not to, tbh!! I was going through the motions firstly because I'm on a weight loss mission and secondly because i''m booked onto a 5k in a couple of weeks and don't want to look stupid!

Well, last monday morning I joined a local running group (yikes!) and they were lovely (hooray!) and they pushed me up some really big hills (not literally pushing me, though I could've done with it!) This has been a bit of a turning point for me I think. I'm now talking myself up hills and, dare I say it, I've just actually enjoyed my run tonight. Usually I don't get the feeling that I've 'enjoyed' it until I'm back home and in the shower, just thankful to have done it! But tonight I can safely say 'I went for a run and it was great!'

Hang on in there fellow strugglers x

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Well done, you! So glad you have found a group you like to run with - this makes keeping the habit of running so much easier to maintain and you will get some great support to help improve your running (sounds like that is already paying off!). Keep it up - and keep posting

[rollyrol Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

I'll definitely keep it up, just glad to be finally enjoying it!! I'm so glad I went to the club, I won't be able to go every week because if work and family but it's great to know I can just join in when i can -aiming to be there at least once a month, more if I can x Thank you for the encouragement ☺

[southlundon Graduate]

So glad to read this! I've just started week 4 and I live in a really hilly place and I've noticed that as soon as my brain just once thinks 'I bet this whole programme is designed for flat streets and parks' my legs almost give way and slow to a walk - it's such a mental thing which has surprised me hugely. Any tips for pushing uphill? (I live in the middle of nowhere so no one to run with!)

[rollyrol Graduate in reply to southlundon]

Well I'm definitely no expert on hills and it'll be different for me, post week 9, than it is for you at week 4/5 but what the run group taught me is to pick a point (lamp post, house, tree or whatever) that is somewhere near the top of the hill, I'd say somewhere in the second half of the climb. Aim to run to that then use the rest of the climb as your recovery (walk) there seemed to be no shame in walking for short periods in this group but I must add that it's a beginner's group. I'm guessing that it doesn't take long to build up to running the entire hill, it just takes repetition and a gritty determination! I totally agree with you though that it's a mental battle! I usually run at 6am, don't see many people but I turned a corner one morning thinking I'll get to that corner then I'll walk but as I turned I was met by a group doing boot camp which is run by a dad in my daughter's class. I was d-y-i-n-g but there was absolutely no way I was stopping then! Managed to run to the next corner thinking 'right, now I can walk' and lo and behold there's the wife of my husband's friend walking the dog. Of course I had to keep running and I think of that now everytime I feel like I can't go on... there's always a bit more steam in those legs! Keep going though, I'm sure you're doing great 🏃🏃🏃

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Brilliant. Really good to hear! Glad the group have helped you get over that hurdle. Hills are not that bad. Like so much else here it's all a mind game! 🔁