MY FACE IS A WET FIRE
Who would’ve thought that after a hot day like today, especially the stressful one I’ve had, after struggling slightly with the end of Week 3, I’d be nailing the start of Week 4?
Not me but then, as I victoriously approached the end of the final section of my first Week 4 run, I realised I was kicking its ass! Then Jo Whiley rocked up and helpfully told me that actually there was another five minute section of running left. Then the run kicked my ass.
But it was a mutual ass kicking because I did the damn run and I’m still standing. Although I’m sweating so much I might slip over in my own puddle. It’s quite a sight, I’d better be careful I don’t drown the cat.
Before that I had to get to the run and that was a difficult journey. It was never supposed to be that way. I finished work on time - I normally work a little longer to finish the stuff delayed by my procrastination because I’m *really* bad at working from home but on a hot day like today I didn’t have it in me to really do anything at all so I stared at the screen like a wilted little weed on the side of the road, snuck in a power nap near the end when I’d really given up and then clocked out in a timely manner at five, wishing my team on the group chat a good evening.
So I finished work at 5.00, made a quick dinner for the kids and by 6.00 we’d all eaten. The boys had been very good all day considering. My partner is still unwell so I spent the day running between work and the kids but they were very cooperative. Of course that meant the good time had to end and end it did before I’d managed to get them to bed.
And, my god, what a meltdown it was. Lots of screaming and shouting and tears and throwing toys. No matter how good a six year old is, they all have so much energy stored up just waiting to be furiously unleashed when you ask them to do one thing they don’t want to do and we could take the easy way out and drop it but we seem to like punishing ourselves because we stick to what we’ve said and weirdly enough he did not like that development.
So the kids are in bed against their wishes and, oh my god, the two year old picked just the best time to learn how to climb out of his cot! I put him down to bed, I went into the kitchen, I turned around, HE WAS THERE. Go to bed, this is no time for a milestone!
So, kids down, chores barely touched, but before I knew it enough time had passed since dinner so I was good to go, despite being tired and sweaty already, but I needed this so badly so out I went.
Hello, darkness, my old friend. Why aren’t you cooler? Why is it so warm? I’m so glad I didn’t do this during the day, it was still all warm and humid at 10.00 and my combats were clinging tightly to my thighs daring me to try it. Well, that’s what happens when you refuse to accept that you’re a 32 and still insist on squeezing into a 30 waist. It’s a dark day for a millennial when their outdated 90s fashion they cling to turns on them.
Still, here I was with Blondie on standby so I got on with it. Despite all of the above I was still feeling good about running and well up for it.
And it was good! I did the warmup walk, and then I powered through the three minute run that my Week 3 training had prepared me for.
Then came the first real challenge I’d been dreading/looking forward to. Nowhere to go but forwards (well round in circles but in this context that’s a good thing) so I got on with it and weirdly enough this one was easier than the three minute run.
Ok so it was a real test of my endurance but it was just the right length. It was new and challenging but not a million miles away from what I’d already done so I paced myself and by the end I was a bit warm, a bit breathless but also kinda energised.
I definitely needed the walk after it but I was feeling great (mostly great, the neighbour was having a secret smoke in the greenhouse so I was getting all the secondhand smoke every time I passed... god I really hope he doesn’t have the virus...) so when the three minute section rolled around, which was not the end but I thought really was the end, I was good to go. As if on cue, One Way or Another started and it had the perfect beat to run along to so I did and had the perfect (what I perceived to be) victory lap.
Then the walk came, then the next run presented itself. Seriously? Another five minutes? What do you think I am, some kind of runner?
Well, if you insist. I made it this far.
So for this last section I was really careful. I kept a slow pace, so slow I could’ve overtaken myself by walking, so slow it reminded me of those nightmares where I’m being chased and trying to run away but end up running up and down on the spot and any second I know they’re going to grab me. Good thoughts to have when running in the dark.
I ran slowly, I was careful, I paced the hell out of myself and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it but that well and truly finished me off. By the end of it I was glowing brighter than the neighbour’s greenhouse. I know what you’re doing in there, you’re not subtle! By the way, is it weird that his partner is always watching me from her bedroom window when I run? Not sure I should acknowledge it or not.
So that was quite a run, a real jump up from Week 3 but definitely a satisfying one. I guess I was ready for it because I did it but I want to do better. My aim is to get a sprint in during that last minute of running before the week is over. It could happen.
Until then, I need to learn how to walk upstairs again.
Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
FAQ Post C25K COMPLETED…….WHAT NEXT?
