Inspiration from the strangest places

[V-5k]

I’ve really been slacking recently, only getting out to run once a week if at all but I figure the goal is to get into the habit of running permanently rather than to finish the programme as quickly as possible then never run again, so meh.

Anyway I went out on Monday for week 8 run 3 and as I’d almost enjoyed runs 1 and 2 the week before I was strangely optimistic...that was very much misplaced.

I had one of the worst runs of the programme so far, everything hurt from the word go (knees, feet, ankles & back - man I felt old!!), I was struggling for breath, I started out slow and still struggled to maintain any speed. I was nearly sick at one point (sorry, possibly TMI), which felt very ‘week 1 run 2’, how retro!

But the weird thing, the thing I found inspiring once I’d got home and collapsed on a heap on the living room floor (true story), was that I still did it. I had a terrible run which lasted 28 minutes and I didn’t stop once. It didn’t matter how I felt at the time, or whether or not I was serene and energetic and ‘runnery’, I STILL DID IT!!

I might not get to the point where this is fun or even enjoyable, and it may or may not always be a struggle, but I’ve come further with this programme then I ever though possible and so if a ‘bad’ run for me is now 28 minutes straight then I’ll take it!!

Shout out to everyone who’s still waiting to feel the running love but is getting on with it anyway, we’ve got this 😆👊🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🤬

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done! 👍💪😃🏃‍♀️

Just getting out is the hardest bit. Once you’re out there it’s never as bad as we fear 👍

[SnailRunner71 Graduate]

That's awesome

Doing great

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Wow that took some determination, I don't think I've ever felt that bad when running, and I'm not sure I'd have kept going! I'm pretty certain, though, that if you can find a way of getting out there, even twice a week, your body will find it much easier to adapt to running. Only going once a week, it's like driving off in a car with a cold engine. Everything struggles more.

But 28 minutes is a huge achievement, and if you can only get out once a week, keep doing it! Are you doing anything else in the week to keep those muscles in shape, because that would help. Heck, I'm sorry if I sound like your mum! 😄

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

We’re all proud of you ! Keep it up ⭐️⭐️⭐️