Beaten the mind gremlins ....

[SmashedPotato]

Hoorah! This time I managed to complete the 30 minute route which I gave up on at the weekend. I decided to get Laura on board W9 on the app and listened to her encouraging commentary as I slowly made my way up the steepest hills I have run to date. After the 5 minutes warm down at the end I ran the easier bits of the remaining route as little 'bonus' runs which meant I was not too far behind the significant other when I reached the car park. Happy I have kicked the mind gremlins into touch and ready for my next run on Sunday. Onwards and forwards ....

[Islesrunner Graduate]

Well done!!

I thought I might try the other coaches on week 9 run 3 as I consolidate after graduation 😁

I love Sarah M. I’m not sure if I can leave her.... ❤️😆

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Islesrunner]

Oh what a great idea. Sorry Laura my head has been turned..... I am on the case as I type. Thanks Islesrunner SP

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great running... well done in those hills especially.

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you. Yes a new challenge for sure and put all the words of wisdom I have read and retained to date into practice - so thank you to everyone sat on my shoulder xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done!

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks muchly Oldfloss. Isn't it just amazing how one run can lift the spirits again and that hills can be conquered albeit slowly!!!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Well done you , how did you find running up the hills ?😊

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy34 - different mind set and a different run completely. Rather than waiting until the bottom of Cardiac Hill I did my 5 minute warm up to Laura's dulcet tones and ran the remaining downhill section and through Aldbury. So I was thoroughly warmed before the upward incline of the paths leading to the golf course and the course itself.

I kept my pace slow, set myself little goals - get to the next turnstile, next kissing gate, the patch of bare earth on the golf course and that tree up ahead. I consciously tried to improve the use of my arm swing and today it did not feel unnatural or odd. I thought about the ground I was running on, how hard the paths had become underfoot from the recent stodge, so I moved over to the grass. I enjoyed running on the cushioning deep layer of leaf mulch as I started my first 'real hill' and thanked the trees for giving my aching ankles a reprieve!

It was hard, very hard, but I kept thinking slow it down, slow it down - video of Japanese man running very very slowly I had watched only that day on the forum, chimed in. It was all an upward climb until the last minutes down a chalk strewn path. This held my concentration as I had to choose where to place my feet more carefully. I kept breathing steady and deep and thought wow I am really doing this. Did I just have an adrenaline rush? Overtook the significant other (for a short time anyway!) and held up my hand - then Laura chimed in, and I went wooooopppppeeeeee! (Well you did ask B34! :)). Happy running. xxxSP

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to SmashedPotato]

That's great I thought hills would be too much but like you say keep it slow and focus and you get there . I actually don't mind the hills now but it took me a few weeks to enjoy them rather than dread them . 😊😊

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Not there yet for sure, but hope to be B34 and I tackle the hills again run after next. Thanks for responding - and for helping me on my running journey. The allotment calls today though! SPx