A sleepy W5D2

[shrinkingjaz]

I didn't sleep well last night. I haven't drunk coffee in months but was sorely tempted to lie in bed and start my day with a strong cup of coffee and run after work.

But I didn't. I went running instead. And now I'm so energised.

As usual, the first minute or two of each run are the worst. I like the 8 minute runs. Something happens around the 5 minute mark and it becomes enjoyable. I was genuinely surprised at finishing the second run because I thought I had another few minutes to go!

While running, a girl ran past me at a much faster pace and I know I am still jogging slowly, but I'm jogging at my pace and I'm loving it. So who cares? Speed will come. I'm happy about finally feeling this way because speed was the reason I begun this journey! I'm learning it's about me and my pace and the rest of the world doesn't matter.

Happy running 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Well done for resisting the lure of caffeine!

Sounds like a perfect run, you're well on your way 💪🏻😁

Here's to the next one! 👍🏻

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I've been off coffee for four months! I haven't craved it in ages but this morning was hard.

Thank you!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

I gave up caffeinated coffee many years ago to prove to my husband it wouldn't make any difference... 3 weeks later I had to eat a huge portion of humble pie. I've never gone back and certainly don't regret it one bit. I still never have caff coffee but I do have a couple of cups of caff tea but decaf after 3pm. 👍🏻😁

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I admire you!

I'm also trying my best to stop drinking caffeinated tea but I'm not a huge fan of herbal teas, other than the lemon and ginger teas. I'm trying, though!

[Annieapple Graduate]

Excellent & a good example to all of us 😀

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

So kind, thank you!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Well done you, keeping it at a slow pace will help you get to the end of each run 😊😊

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

This is so true!

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Who cares indeed! I’m constantly being passed by faster people, but they usually smile in acknowledgement - they must have been slow once. Well done 😁

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Exactly! We all start somewhere. And if we enjoy it and are improving our health, then how does it matter?

I imagine that they must feel the way I do when someone I know begins their health and fitness journey. I love it!

[Ssasqueen in reply to Wenderwoo]

I was running past a dog walker yesterday. She commented that she had seen me a few times and was envious of my ability to run. I nearly fell over - in my head I’m still stumbling along fairly slowly but to her I was a runner! She made my day. I told her less than a year ago 1 minute running had me exhausted. I still get completely out classed by faster runner but as you say they are encouraging and who knows maybe a couple of years ago they were shuffling through C25k intervals

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Ssasqueen]

You definitely are a runner! What a lovely thing for someone to say. You must have been walking on air after she said that 😊

[Ssasqueen in reply to shrinkingjaz]

Yeah that and wanting to get her to get the app ...

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well done. I hear the beginning of really finding yourself as your own runner. Keep it up. 👏🏼🎉👏🏼👍

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Oh, wow, this means so much. I really find it strange to think of myself as a runner but comments like this make it so real

[Debston Graduate]

Brilliant sentiment - it really is just about you, doesn't matter how fast or slow anybody else goes. ☺

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Debston]

It's taken a while for me to learn it, but I'm glad I did!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

Runners are supportive. You will also send a smile and an encouraging look to another runner soon.

Keep running if you are happy with it.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

They really are some of the most beautiful people. I love when they smile at you, it's so encouraging!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to shrinkingjaz]

I also find that they are relatively calm and kind.

[linda9389 Graduate]

Brilliant! Slow is good. Even when you've upped your pace you'll find you're constantly being told to slow down in training runs, so you might as well start a good habit now 😀. The longer continuous runs are really nice after the stop/start intervals, because they allow you to settle into your perfect rhythm. Not too many interval runs left for you now, well done

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to linda9389]

I never thought of interval runs in that way before, but you're so right! They really do help settle me into my rhythm and I very much am trusting the process of the program. It hasn't let me down yet!

[Run46 Graduate]

Brilliant SJ, and you are absolutely right on all counts.

Run for you and enjoy it, challenging ourselves and rising to it is very rewarding...well done 🏃‍♀️😀

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Run46]

Thank you!