I did it!

[Murielbez]

Happy Monday everyone!

Thank you so much for your encouragements as I was dreading a little starting off week 4. Well, I did it! It was hard and I did think of stopping a few times but did not. I can't believe I ran 16 minutes and did more running than walking. It's interesting too to notice what is going on in my mind - all very self critical and negative thoughts about how I will not make it, when I am actually not in pain and getting on and being brave. I will keep an eye on these thoughts on the next run.

Wishing everyone a great week.

Muriel

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

We are always our own worst critics. Those voices in the head like the easy life... I still get them, last time was about half way through a 10k. They are of course always wrong, as you’ve just proven.

Try to learn to coach yourself in your head to counter the negative thoughts... remind yourself early in the run to go slow and steady, focus on how your feet are landing and legs are moving, give yourself praise as you near the half way, then tell yourself that you got this.

Great job... enjoy the rest of week 4.

[Murielbez Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much! Yes I need to keep an eye on these thoughts. Funny as I do a lot of yoga and meditation so I should know better.

I will do my benchmark run tomorrow (W1R1) as I am really curious to compare how I am doing now.

Have a great week as well!

Muriel

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Murielbez]

I’d take the rest day if I was you... you’re doing great... and it’s only going to get better... kick W1R1s butt hard when you’re at 30 minutes!

Something that may be of interest for you when you get to the 25 minutes plus runs is the merging of meditation and running... the Nike+ Run Club app has guided runs and one set of them is “Running with Headspace” with Nike Head Coach Chris Bennett and Headspace founder Andy Puddicombe... I dial them up when I just want to run and relax.

[Murielbez Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I will definitely check it out - really curious to experience the combination!

yes will rest tomorrow - probably the excitement of completing my run but I understand the rest days are crucial.

[backintime Graduate]

Damn gremlins : )

But you beat them ! The more you beat them the less they appear. Although sometimes it still feels like whack-a-mole - you beat down the "tired" ones and the "breathing" ones come back lol.

Still each time you run makes them weaker !

[Murielbez Graduate in reply to backintime]

I hope so! especially since I did not stop running. I hope that they go away over time

Have a great week!

Muriel