A late afternoon run yesterday and I couldn’t shake the nervousness all day. I kept telling myself that I have done it twice already.
It was lovely and cool and I enjoyed my quiet warm up walk which helped me to relax after a busy day.
My route is a lane just down the hill from where I live and it is usually quiet. However at the moment it is part of a diversion so as it is quite narrow I often have to move onto the grass verge when a car passes. Because of this I don’t wear my headphones the whole time and haven’t had much luck with the app recently so instead dip in and out of my own playlist.
The run itself started off well and I managed to get to through the 10mins without too much trouble. I tend to accept this is hard now so just distract myself as much as possible.
I have lots to look at... the Cows have moved from their usual spot and were hiding so took me a few moments to spot them. The vineyard is quiet and the dogs can’t be bothered to bark today. Half a dozen Deer are gathered in the corner of the Sheep field. The Bluebells have now all disappeared. I miss that wonderful smell on the early morning runs.
I get to the end of the lane and I touch the signpost for luck! and turn around for the route back. This is the point I tell myself I can stop if I really have to but I have managed to resist today.
When I first moved here four years ago I would rest here on a walk(!) When I started C25k I remember saying I would just like to be able to run to the end of the lane. Here I am running back too!
The run back was good and I actually started to enjoy it. I managed to get to the end of the lane well before the 25 min mark so started up the hill of doom in good time. It was so tough and I was joined by two slow bike riders (not cyclists - no Lycra or indeed helmets!!) so there was a bit of distraction.
The last 4 mins are mostly downhill and I got to the end thinking I could even go a bit further.
I don’t think it has really sunk in but I am excited about my next run. I think, unbelievably, it feels like I can enjoy them a little with no pressure.
I am one of those people who on my first run and just about managed the min run thought I was going to pass out. I sat in my car and cried because I thought Running just wasn’t for me.
If this is you now, keep trying. Even if you, like me, need to repeat and repeat to convince yourself you can actually do it. You will get there and the plan DOES work.
This girl can... run 30mins 💪🏻
Graduation Run Woohoo!
Graduation Run
Graduation Run
WK9R3 😀🏅🎉
Much better run today, confidence restored :-D
