W6R1 - Running purely on stubbornness

[Preserved_Moose]

Ugh, I was really not up to doing that. It’s been a long day, on fact it really dragged. This is because our due date is tomorrow but we thought it might be starting today. But we weren’t sure a she’s spent the whole afternoon in triage being prodded with no definitive conclusion so all we can do is keep an eye on it. I was at work while this was happening, ready to run out at a moment’s notice, although of course that moment never came. But that’s where my mind was. Consequently, I couldn’t focus, I got nothing done and the day dragged because I was anxious to get out of there and back to her.

I finally did and we got home, both a bit stressed, when our friend dropped out boy off. He’d been a literal angel for them, so of course all his good behaviour was used up and he made it known immediately. It should not be this hard to get a child to pee. He does this dance when he needs to go but then refused to go and says he’s fine. Then accidents happen. So we had quite the battle of wills which I ultimately won and he peed. We achieved urination! Since becoming a parent the bar has really dropped for reasons to celebrate.

So we got him to bed and I was finally free to run! I really did not want to run. I was tired, stressed, drained of all energy and motivation and ready to collapse on the sofa.

But the show must go on. I did 20 damn minutes last week, I am not prepared to give up on this! How hard ca it be anyway? This one has breaks!

Turns out, when your day has defeated you and your preparation has gone to hell, a run you breezed though just a week ago is suddenly a battle for survival. Fortunately it did get better, sort of, as it went along.

So in my highly strung state I thought maybe some angry metal would spur me on so I went for Megadeth and it worked for the first 5 minute run but I quickly got bored of it. It just doesn’t energise me the way it does when I’m 21 and drunk.

So during the first break I switched to Blondie, which improved my mood a little and got me ready for the next run. Those 8 minutes were the best part of the run. I’ve found I really settle into it after I’ve had the first run and a break, makes me wonder if the 20 minute run would be easier for me if it were preceded by a short run and walk.

So awkward opening run out of the way, music and mood improved, I set off on the 8 minutes and had a reasonably good time. Sure, it took more effort than it would on a good day but it flew by and I’m sure Blondie was a big part of that.

Then the last run rolled around and it was fine. I ran, I did it. I was tired by the end and didn’t do any extra but I did have it in me to speed up for the final minute.

Overall though it was a pretty average run. I felt a little better after but as I wasn’t in a great way to start with, I didn’t finish in a particularly good mood, just a less bad one. However, I do feel very not bad for refusing to skip this one.

I’m a runner, dammit, and I have to see this through. Of course, that may all change when the baby gets here! Please be soon...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Those there are tricky intervals at the best of times, more so with your mind whizzing around on other things. Bloody good job completing it.

[Preserved_Moose in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks didn’t feel like a good job on this occasion, more like just getting through it

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Hey well done on doing your run 👍 you had so many reasons not to it today but you did. Good job!

Fingers crossed all goes well with the new mini human 👶 x

[Preserved_Moose in reply to Jogunlikely]

Well I’d be kicking myself if I missed it and it’s too easy to fall out of a routine. Just moving Friday’s run to Saturday felt wrong and had me anxious it wouldn’t happen.

[sunshinefish Graduate]

Well done you! You have a lot going on and didn't feel like it but still did it. Huge well done!

[Preserved_Moose in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks it’s only going to get busier and more stressful! I hope I can still fit these around everything...

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to Preserved_Moose]

True. I think you have to get into the mindset that each run is only around 30 mins, so maybe an hour out of your day, three hours a week in total. That makes it seem less time consuming. A very helpful lady on here told me this when I returned to work after summer off and am juggling work/kids/whatever. Careful planning helps, but with little kids I realise this so easily goes haywire!

Just do what you can, when you can. You've already come so far and even once a week must be better than nothing.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh wow PM, what a day! And I’m sure it’s harder for dad than mum in terms of stress levels when the due date is looming/has passed. I was cool at a cucumber with my three. My husband, less so! 😅

The main thing is you got out there regardless and did your run. Not an easy one either - W6R1, the notorious pesky one. Still, it’s out of the way now and you only have one more intervals run to go. It’s far nicer just running. Walking interrupted my rhythm, I found.

Good luck with R2 and your little baby! Looking forward to hearing news of both! 😀😀😀

[Preserved_Moose in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks but it’s a lot more stressful for her, she’s stuck with a defiant four year old while I’m hiding at work! To be honest I’d rather be home with them though, paternity leave can’t come soon enough.

I’m glad I did the run and almost came close to enjoying it but i hope I’m in a better place for the next one, especially as they get harder. I wish I’d started all these sooner so I could be done before the baby arrives!

[Jundal Graduate]

Well done! It's good to hear you managed to fit a run in, even if it was a grind all the way through! We've all had them, I've rather vociferously complained on here about my bad ones so you should feel free to too! Good luck when the tiny monster arrives, (a bit like HR Geiger's Alien, it will burst forth and destroy your life like they all do) but I'm sure you'll be able to fit in half an hour three time a week for you. 👍