I think I am very lucky to have got this far without any ill effects. Last week I missed two runs because of very icy weather and a slightly crazy desire to drive to Lithuania for a few days. I was hoping to run there and took my shoes and stuff but it was too cold and the city I was in had no really viable areas, plus I felt very dispirited. Being an aspie I have got used to my route around Tartu stadium and don't want to change it yet, at last until better weather comes.
So I decided to stick with week 3 when I got back, but - and this is where your comments on my posts have been so helpful and inspiring! I found I had not lost anything at all in the break, and while I can't say it was a breeze, it was much better than I expected. So today, Monday February 10th, I decided to go for Week 4.
Preparation is everything, I have found. Put the clothes on, drink some water and have a banana and some bran, an extra t shirt, try to clear the mind. When I woke I was drenched in anxiety and worry to the point of paralysis (this is actually not so unusual for me 
) and the thought of focussing on a purely physical activity was like a beacon of light calling me! There was a gusty cold rain bearing wind but I have realised now that I will warm up as I go.
This, I knew, was going to be difficult, long, and the biggest yet. Five minutes? Pffff.
Half an hour later and I have done it. My mood has lifted to a manageable level and although I had to use my inhaler both before, and twice during, the only ill effect was a slight sick feeling and some aches around my chest, which went away very quickly. I am so surprised can do this. I can't emphasize too much how useless I was a school, how I have avoided any kind of sport (I nearly wrote "I have run away from") since then, although I do ride a bike since I was about 40. I have experienced a kind of dysmorphia at times, but actually I do think that mental anxiety can cause us to push ourselves physically. I am enjoying this. I seem to have found a pace, and a rhythm, which I never imagined. Five minutes running, and twice!
Laura's commentary is spot on, (even if some of the music is cheesy, it's functional) and I like how she says "I am here with you", that's a really good touch.
Thanks to all of you for your comments, especially the advice to drink lots of water. That makes a lot of difference. But it's fascinating how 90 seconds becomes ok and three minutes a colossal amount, and then three minutes is ok and five minutes a colossal amount. It must be that how we perceive time actually changes.
Maybe I will stay with week 4 for two weeks though. I am not in a hurry to go too far too soon. 
Thanks for reading!
Week 4 Run 1 done. Getting hard now. 
First run of week 4 done...
Week 4, Run 1 - tick! 
Week 4 Run 1 done!! So happy.
Take that, Week 4 run 1 😁
