Week 9 coinciding with Christmas week is a bit rubbish

[molly1973]

I felt absolutely awful on my run today: week 9 run 2. I had to stop to walk on each incline (I like to call them hills but let’s be honest!), so that was three times in all. I felt like I was running on wooden legs and that I’ve gained several stones this week! I was much slower than usual. My run on Monday wasn’t great and now my son wants to run parkrun again this Saturday, which will be my graduation run. Feeling really daunted by it all this week, but will pull up my big girl pants and get on with it, and put it down to a different routine and diet. I hope everyone else’s running is going better than mine this week!

[molly1973 Graduate]

However, I’ve just thought, if I’d graduated last week there’s a good chance I wouldn’t have run at all this week. Got to look for the positive!

[AnnaKarenina]

Those runs that are horrid are just awful, aren't they? I have started keeping a running journal, just jotting down how I feel on each run, where I went and anything else that occurs to me. What it has taught me is that even 'terrible' runs have been followed eventually by amazing runs and mostly there is no reason for either. I think the challenge is to try to take the horrid with the brilliant and not worry about either. I reckon PR might be just the thing - company, different surroundings and, if not, you can get round by mixing up running with walking. I reckon you've got this though Molly.

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to AnnaKarenina]

Thank you! Just feeling a bit meh about it all today. I haven’t had two rubbish runs on the trot before, but it has to get better!!

[AnnaKarenina in reply to molly1973]

It will. We've got you! xx

[Amerynthe Graduate]

Oh Molly, sorry you didn't enjoy your run! Christmas is so hectic and exhausting on emotional, physical and eating levels! Cut yourself some slack and be proud that you went out for a run at all when so many people are stuffing themselves full in front of the telly!

Trim your big girl pants with glitter and tinsel and go for your graduation run at Park Run - it will be amazing! Don't try and keep up with the keen beans at the front of the pack - I tried to pace myself with them and was almost dead by 20 minutes - keep your app on and pace yourself, and you will do it!

I am going to do my 2nd Park Run on Saturday (despite putting on 3lb already over Christmas and Boxing Day, and that's after being 'careful') so I shall be thinking of you and cheering you on! xx

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

I’ve just been weighed at SW and now I know why I felt so sluggish! Parkrun is going to be tough! I did my first last week with some great support so have a lot to live up to!

[Hidden]

Hi Molly, sometimes those runs are nice and up and sometimes yuck and down. But as our very own world-famous Irish-John says, a run is a run is a run. But you own those big girl pants and provided they are not too big and trip you up, I am sure you will be fine. Park run is a lovely place to graduate, everyone will help - ignore the speedy monsters at the front. Christmas week is a tough one - my varied diet has been varieties of chocolate and red wine...oops. Best of luck with your graduation run, and just think how wide your smile will be on that podium.

JCRXX

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I nearly cried when I did my first PR last week: if I get around it ok this weekend I will be in bits!!

[Hidden in reply to molly1973]

Emotion proves the point, you’ll be on that podium, channeling your inner Gwyneth Paltrow accepting the best runner prize... and besides which, this is just the starter, for your main course challenge next year...

see the nagging/encouragement has started already

Best of luck I’ll be on my way to Cornwall, but all the best for the run

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the nagging/encouragement 😂

[Karenshann Graduate]

Hi Molly,

I have struggled too but the main thing is we are doing it and it is bound to get easier at some point.

[Cherrybubble Graduate]

Same here ....week 9 has been pathetic for me!! Run 1 just so sluggish and then run 2 yesterday had to abort after 10mins first time I’ve done that in the whole programme. It is really bad timing with Christmas. I thought the runs would help me deal with the Stresses better but I can’t even manage them! Good luck with the park run - I haven’t even been brave enough to try one!

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Cherrybubble]

Thank you: just back and it was gruesome