Some thoughts after Week 7..

[Lesaspie]

On what is still a cold day, around 3 degrees, I am plenty warm enough until the finish and the cold wind comes back. It is the first ten minutes that I have to get through, this is when you think "I can't do this, no way". After a while the lungs warm up, the legs relax. Let the legs carry you, let the lungs work. Do not let anything tense up.

It is a mental process. My right knee feels a bit stiff, maybe weak. If I think about it, it gets worse. If I don't think about it, it goes away. Slow down a bit though. It is fine. Do not tense up. Laura speaks.... five minutes. Twelve and a half minutes. Twenty minutes. One minute to go. I am depending on these waymarkers, they are hugely important I think. At twelve and a half minutes, you are halfway through. Can you possibly carry on like this for another twelve and a half? But already, while you are thinking this, time has passed and its probably 13, 14.

Me time. This is for me, mine. Pad, pad, pad, pit, pat.... on and on. If I had given up, and spent 25 minutes doing nothing, and when that has passed, how would I feel. No... keep going. I am amazed that I have got this far without injury. The shoes.... bless the shoes.

OMG It's done. But I can't possibly do 28 minutes on sunday. There has to be an upper limit to what is possible.

Thank you for reading!

[Gilliano666 Graduate]

Oh well done you! And of course you CAN do the 28 minutes. What you wrote about the mental battle between your mind and body is exactly what I, and probably most of us can relate to. Keep going and enjoy the journey

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Gilliano666]

Awwww thank you I think I am able to do it because even though the physical challenge is hard, lungs like raspy sandpaper sometimes, this is still much nicer to focus on than anxiety and mental stress. Maybe this is why some people self harm. The idea seems horrific but it is actually a distraction and a relief. I can relate to that. But above and beyond that thought, running is becoming actually enjoyable. This feeling is a surprise and a hope.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done, but that first ten minutes is not just a mental process. Your body has not yet worked out what is required of it and it is known as the Toxic Ten healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I did not know that :). I was thinking it was just me.... it is certainly real! The mental aspect comes from thinking "ahh, it is not going to go well today..." and then it gets better. It is surprising really.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Well done! Not long to go now 👍😁

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Not long until sunday, or maybe monday.... I am hoping this will be forever, but I know what you mean. :).

Thank you!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Wonderful post as always! Almost poetic!

It is a constant surprise, the programme, isn't it!

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks! I worry I am saying too much self indulgent waffle, so thank you.

Yes it is a surprise, also in as much as the body seems to know better than the bloody brain what is going on.

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Lesaspie]

No you are not - lots of folk on the forum share their thoughts and feelings about running! It's all great and makes people feel that they're not the only ones who have these thoughts while they're running - the doubts and the triumphs!

[Moosey60]

Well done on completing week7. I know exactly how you feel, especially those first toxic ten minutes. I completed week 7 last night too. Two weeks to go and might see you on the podium 😄

[apatsyf Graduate]

Brilliant, well done, especially on gdtting through that 'toxic ten' , which makes that surprisingly 'good' feeling all the better! We all love a bit of indulgent waffle, so keep posting, it's great to hear all these inspirational stories..... 👍🏃‍♂️🧗‍♂️👏😁

[Nilsam Graduate]

Brilliant post as always. Glad you have those magic shoes. 😎👍