W6R3 done ✅ but no Wow factor! ☹️

[Moomin63]

As this was going to be the first 25m run I thought I’d try and find a flatter running so decided to go to another local park slightly further away. What a mistake!

It was late afternoon and the sun was still out but I thought I can cope with that cos there will be plenty of shady spots in the park - there were none! Clearly it wasn’t as I remembered it! Anyway I set off in good faith and within the first 3 mins my legs were aching and I thought how the hell am I going to get through the next 20 mins or so! I just kept telling myself the pain will go keep going, keep going.

I started to regret my choice of a new route almost as soon as I started. There were too many kids milling around (after all there were a couple kids playgrounds there !) but I constantly had to keep dodging them plus kids on their bikes coming from all directions! I quickly switched to a large playing field near by and decided to run around the edge but I found running on grass tougher than concrete. How I got through the various stages of this run I’ll never know. I ended back up on the path for the last leg of this run and Heard Jo say ‘Right this is the last 60 seconds of your run, so stood good to put a spurt on at this stage and really go out with a flourish’ I thought are you crazy 😜 there is no way I’ve got the energy for that!!!! I have never been more relieved when she said ‘you’ve done it!!’

But the sad thing is I didn’t get that rush or total elation when I finished like I thought I would 😔 The last time I felt real joy was when I ran my first 8 minutes! Strange. But I think it has something to do with the fact that I feel pain so early on in my run - I know that it comes and goes but the majority was really tough. I just want to be able to run with more ease so I can enjoy it more like my early runs.

Sorry This is not very positive and I shouldn’t think like this. Maybe it was just one of those days. After all it’s got to get easier the more I run right?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

You did very well on that run Moomin63, dodging all those children on bikes and play parks, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 6, you are now OFFICIALLY a RUNNER, onwards and upwards to week 7, see if you can find another place or at least time for those 3/25 minute runs as you won't have so many children on your route.

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks so much. I’m a runner 🏃‍♀️! Sounds good doesn’t it. Oh I shall definitely be going back to my tried and tested route!!

[sally1993]

From what I've experienced so far, sometimes it's just like that. Sometimes your mind just messes with you? This whole journey for me has been more of a mental battle than anything else.

What I just read is THAT YOU KEPT GOING :). Despite obstacles and difficulties, you did it. I'm very proud of you, even if you aren't yet. Maybe the next run will be better <3

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to sally1993]

Thankyou Sally! You’re so right, it is a mental battle but I was able to push myself and I did keep going so I am pleased with myself. I just remember you’re beaming face when you finished - that’s what I’m aiming for!!

[sally1993 in reply to Moomin63]

Hahaha well that's the danger of the internet and social media it can make everything look all perfect! If you look at my last post I actually messed up W7R1 yesterday and I was FUMING with myself.. tears and everything. And I was thinking I could keep it to myself not post about it but it's the truth and I knew it would help other people to see my struggles and to know that we all do! We are all human and we all have our off days X

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to sally1993]

Oh dear I’m so sorry 😐 I haven’t read that must of missed it. I think it’s the right thing to share everything. We all get such massive support from each other here and that’s what makes us get up and do it all over again!

[nowster Graduate in reply to Moomin63]

Posting about your less pleasant experiences allows others to feel better about themselves when things don't go to plan for them too. We all have our ups and downs. None of us are Instagram perfect.

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Absolutely 😊

[nowster Graduate]

We all have runs we don't like. The important thing is that you kept going in difficult circumstances. 👍

Of course, if you're not happy with it, you could repeat this run another three times. 😜🤣

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to nowster]

😂 Hahaha! You’re right of course I kept going and am proud of myself for doing that.

[RunNewForestRun Graduate]

I’ve just done that one this morning. And I know how you feel. I guess firstly it’s not supposed to be easy. Achievable yes, but not easy. After all C25K is a challenge. But personally I find my mood definitely affects how I find the run and how I feel about it afterwards.

No matter how you got there, you’ve done it! Don’t put too much expectation on the elation you are ‘supposed to feel’. Some days you’ll feel like you can take on the world other days you’ll be more ‘meh’.

Well done for completing it though - here comes Wk 7!

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to RunNewForestRun]

You’re right of course. It’s definitely my mood. I think I was maybe feeling a bit guilty cos I didn’t do my usual morning run plus have had a few late nights so am sure that didn’t help! Am going to get a good nights sleep and reckon that’s will help the mood and probably the performance too! Nice to know you’re at the same stage! 😊 here we come week 7!😀

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

I’ve had runs like that, unfortunately they can’t all be good, it sounds like you had a lot to contend with today on that run, what with having to dodge kids on bikes, the sun blazing down on you and aching legs 3 mins in, but the important thing to focus on is your determination and mental strength to stick with it no matter what and complete it, so take heart from that and I’m sure your next run will be a totally different story 👍🏃‍♀️

[Moomin63 Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Thankyou. Yes I’m looking forward to next one. 😀