W2R3 - Stress Relief: So my run was a little... - Couch to 5K

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W2R3 - Stress Relief

Preserved_Moose profile image
11 Replies

So my run was a little later than usual for a number of reasons but that actually worked out better so I may reconsider how I do this.

Anyway I’ve said it before and I really hope I get to say it again but this is my best run yet. Zero difficulties, minimal pain, a nicer route and a big (for me) finish. Not even the rain could ruin it for me.

So I was in no mood for this run when I finally had my chance. I’d had a long day at work, a difficult four year old in one of his classic “how far can I push my parents” moods (he is simultaneously one of the most infuriating and absolute best things in my life) and a nauseating car journey so when he was finally in bed and I was free to run, I was stressed, feeling sick and my head was pounding so I was in no mood for this.

But I didn’t want to miss a day, I’d feel bad about it and it would hinder my progress so I put my headphones on and headed out.

I don’t know how you feel about KT Tunstall but she is my go-to singer for de-stressing. I mostly listen to rock, metal or indie (last few sessions my soundtrack has been a mix of Kaiser Chiefs and the Fratellis, really good running beat) but sometimes nothing else will do and when I’m ill, stressed or can’t sleep I listen to Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon, I highly recommend it when you need something soothing. Before I started the run proper I put it on and after the first song I was more relaxed and ready to go.

Like a genius I headed out on what had been a mostly rainy day in just a tshirt so of course the rain started to fall again. Fortunately I wasn’t far from home and I managed to incorporate a hoody retrieval into one of the walks. I walked in, grabbed it, said “Can’t stop” to my partner who was on the sofa and left, just in time to start the next run.

I don’t know what it was about this run but everything just clicked. It turns out starting on my route home from work is not my best option since people and cars keep getting in my way and RUINING EVERYTHING.

Where I live there’s a good circuit where a footpath behind the houses joins the pavement in front of them. I usually spend the second half of my runs here. Today I started here and decided to do something a little different so I left the path and ran down some steps that lead to a field and small park with a gravelly path running through them. The path was covered in slugs so I half ran, half danced around them and then enjoyed a little jog around the small lake there before heading back up.

But what really surprised me was how well I handled it all. Even by the last run I was in minimal pain and not too out of breath. I don’t know how much of the last run was left, probably not as much as it felt like, but as the music rose I just went for it and full on ran (not a sprint, I don’t have anything near that in me yet). I ran and I loved it and it felt great and as it got harder I just told myself, “you can slow down anytime you want to” but I didn’t and then perfectly on cue as the song ended, Jo Whiley told me I was done.

I’ve had some good runs but nothing like this. My stress was all gone, I felt more alive and I almost sort of felt like I could do more but I’ll save that for Monday when I start week 3.

I think going forwards though I’ll wait until I’m home and do my full runs here. It’s perfect, apart from the kids that play around here, but they’re small and can easily be shoved out the way.

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Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose
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11 Replies
Bandit14 profile image
Bandit14Graduate

Fab post - well done although I now have the image of you man handling small children like a ninja in my head - made me chuckle 😂

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply toBandit14

The trick is to incorporate it into your run without stopping but a good elbow will sort that out for you

SubterraneanAlien profile image
SubterraneanAlienGraduate

What an interesting post. So similar to my evening... busy day at work, crazy 5 year old, but I didnt want to miss a run. I did W2R2 as well. But I run on grass - a green near my house - and although I love music, I'm a bit old school and still listen to my cds, so I have silence and the app. I find it really allows me to destress and practice some mindfulness. I do wonder if I'll get bored and crave my music further down the line though.

What I am wondering about is whether to keep running on the green as it gets darker or to change my route so I'm on lit pavements...

Anyway, first run in the rain and I feel amazing!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply toSubterraneanAlien

Oops had to edit that, this was actually W2R3 but if you’re enjoying it like I am I can tell you now run 3 is a good one, you’ll feel great after it.

I enjoyed adding the park circuit to my run but as it gets darker I might skip that part, it’s a nice enough area but can get a little rough in the evenings and since I have my headphones I’m vulnerable. I would stick to we’ll lot areas for peace of mind but then I’m a worrier at the best of times.

I agree about the rain though, I love it. I may change my mind as it gets colder and wetter though...

telford_mike profile image
telford_mikeGraduate

Good stuff P_M, yeah don't squash the slugs & snails it's bad karma. Good luck with week 3!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply totelford_mike

Yeah I’d feel bad. I don’t kill insects at all if I can help it, even wasps. I find the older I get the more it would bother me to kill anything. They’re just enjoying the rain! I’m getting soft in my old age...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Wonderful and inspirational post.. yet another of our most Awesome Mamas... wow!

Sounds like a good place to run.. for body and soul...despite small persons.. who I am sure you did not shove out of the way !!

Many of have experienced the slug dance!!! :)

Slow and steady and well done you... always leaving a bit left in the tank at the end of the run is perfect...:)

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply toOldfloss

I’m a dad actually but I always like being called awesome so thanks!

Yeah it’s a good place for it, my walk home can just be the warm up. No actual shoving took place but due to social anxieties and general awkwardness I don’t like being seen running, especially not during these early stages! So when I do see potential witnesses I tend to go a different way if I can, especially if it’s the kind of teenagers who like to shout abuse. I know I should just ignore them but I’d rather not hear it at all, this is my special me-time!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toPreserved_Moose

Sorry...I should have checked!! Totally awesome Dada !!! 😉 I knew you wouldn't shove them..and it is hard..folk show themselves up..and you show how strong you are...😊

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply toOldfloss

Thanks today may tell a different story though, I’m about to do my first week 3 run and due to no preparation and a really unhealthy breakfast it may not go so smoothly! I won’t get another chance to do it today though so here goes nothing...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Slow..steady..enjoy!

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