Week 8 Gremlins

[mog7]

So, I reached the first run of week 8, and I just did not want to run.. like, at all.. I'd got through week 7 fine, and was enjoying it, but then towards the end of the week, I had a rather traumatic experience (unrelated to running, so I won't go into details here), which triggered my anxiety quite a lot, and combined with some other health issues, I was left feeling exhausted all the time, and nervous about running.

So, when my alarm went at 6am for my first run of week 8, all I wanted to do was roll over and go back to sleep... but I dragged myself out of bed and forced myself to go running.. it was horrid. Every single fibre of my very being screamed protest at every step. I wanted to stop. I wanted to give up. But I didn't. I completed the run, and I tried to be proud of myself for that.

For run 2, I still didn't want to run. I was still tired, but I forced myself on, and told myself that if I could get through run 1, I could certainly do run 2.. and it was still hard... but I did it.

And then today, the final run of week 8...again, I had to force myself out of bed and head outdoors.. and boy, it was cold this morning! As it had been on the previous two runs, it was hard work. The first 5 minutes were dreadful. The next 5 minutes were awful...and the following 10 minutes or so after that were also pretty unpleasant...but I got to the last 5 minutes, and I could feel that I'd got into a comfortable rhythm.. my calves weren't burning, and I was controlling my breathing... and when Laura told me to slow down and return to brisk walking... I felt so good, I just kept running, just for a further two minutes...I managed to run for a whole 30 minutes, non-stop, for the first time ever! It's given me new confidence to move on to my final week. Graduation is within sight!!

So, I guess the moral of today's story is: just keep going, even when it sucks. Don't let the gremlins beat you!

Next up, Week 9... Bring. It. On.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Firstly... huge well done for beating back those awful gremlins.

Secondly, I actually found w8 really dull and tough. After the joy of getting up to the long runs, there's less interaction from the mentor in your ear, it's kind of no man's land, so it's sort of a natural slump too.

When you have an external issue those gremlins pounce and think they can drag you back but you saw them off!

Almost there!! 👍🏻💪🏻😁

[mog7 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yes, I think you're right.. there seemed to be an awful long time in between Laura's encouraging comments on the w8 runs, so I felt like I was constantly thinking "how long have I run for? Surely I've done 10 minutes by now?", waiting for Laura to speak up!

Yep, not far to go now! Thanks!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You seem to have lots of determination even though you struggle. But you did it and you should be so proud of yourself. Well done you 😊

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you!

[Twinkle9 Graduate]

Aw Mog7 big hugs and well done you for sticking at it! Only three more runs and you will graduate. 👏👏🥂🍾

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Twinkle9]

Thank you! I know, I can't believe it's so close!

[DiverIzzie Graduate]

Give yourself a huge pat on the back - you’ve shown tremendous fortitude in coming through your gremlins - only 3 more runs to go and you’ll be a graduate - go for it!

[mog7 Graduate in reply to DiverIzzie]

Thank you! I'm determined to get there!

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well done you! Excellent anti-gremlins running! 🎉👍🎉 Hang in there, you’re doing brilliantly. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thank you! We can't let those gremlins win!