W9R2: Sleep-running? ⏳🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️💤💤🏃🏽‍♀️⌛️

[GailXrunning]

A mid-morning 30-minute run. M adapted to the reverse direction without any complaints, and, after the first 10 minutes or so, took off ahead.

Sunshine. Interesting clouds. With autumn and with our switching to clockwise direction, I noticed glimpses of more long-distance vistas opening up: all the way to the architectural giants: the Gherkin, the Shard and Canary Wharf. They look closer than they are. Spotted more black plastic-bag birds. Graffiti sprayed on the trunk of a plane tree (‘Be Happy’).

Felt good for the most part, despite lack of sleep, which really ought to have made it all a dreadful slog. Just a few moments when I started to doubt not so much my ability to complete the session but more whether I could do so while still feeling good about the run (I guess that’s quite a luxury). But these moments seemed to pass - accept them, acknowledge them, let them go, and move on to think about something else. I didn’t take up Laura’s invitation to step up my pace after the first phase, but nor did I need to step it down later on. Steady. Slow. That worked. Mind drifted off, maybe the result of insomnia. Was I sleep-running most of the final third?

[nowster Graduate]

Locally we call black plastic bags caught on fencing wire, "Witches' knickers". (Caused by too many low-flying broomsticks.)

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to nowster]

😂Like that designation - it captures something of the scraggy torn bits fluttering in the breeze.

[Bambi2020 Graduate]

Steady and slow- that’s good- save your energy for the big finale- good luck!! 🥕🦌🤞🏼🙏🙂

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Bambi2020]

Nail-biting build up... 😬🙏🦌

[Bambi2020 Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

Enjoy it- that’s the best one of them all 🙂

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Bambi2020]

🥕 🧲

[Jools2020 Graduate]

You have a way with words; I really enjoy reading your posts and thoughts. It reminds me that although we are all on our own journeys, we can gain from the insights of others. You’ve shown me in your posts to be more observant about where I am running. Maybe the fact that your mind drifted of was due to lack of sleep - but it was still your run and it sounded good! Maybe sometimes we need to do that, too. Happy running 👍

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

That’s so lovely of you. Thank you. ☺️

I certainly learn a huge amount from reading others’ posts.. everything really. I doubt I’d be where I am in the programme without these insights ... big things and small.

[RacingintheStreet Graduate]

Super post, I recognise the moments of doubt ( I never countenanced finishing ‘ strangely but always a shadowy fear of not enjoying 🤷🏼‍♀️ And if, not enjoying , giving up .🤔

I’ve had a few horrid runs now and appear not to have given up though 🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂

Enjoyed reading your post, there is such diversity on this forum , urban runners, rural runners , coastal runs, river runs, parks and canals and I love going on all of them ( well virtually anyway )

🙂

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

Me too (reading the huge variety). Love seeing all the early morning sunrises. (I see them, but they’re associated with commutes).

And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with these thoughts. The enjoyment factor is important... although I’m realistic not to expect permanent perfection (which would, in any case, flatten it over time). Im sure your spate of meh runs will end. And maybe the perspective of variety (again) helps get through these. There’s definitely a place for tenacity as well. All for a bit of tenacity! 😉

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to RacingintheStreet]

I think my reply to you last night was the garbled remains of my lack of sleep! 😬🤣

[RacingintheStreet Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

😂 made absolute sense to me 👌

..... and I had slept well 😂😴

[LauraRuns Graduate]

Nice one Gail! Sounds like a good steady run 🏃🏼‍♀️✨

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to LauraRuns]

Thanks. Exactly that: nice and steady... with a doze added. 😂

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Brilliant run Gail! Love the idea of sleep running...sounds like you were in the zone and running on auto pilot.

One more to go! 🥰🐌🐢🏃🏻‍♀️

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to LottieMW]

So ‘in the zone’ is like a taking a quick nap while moving ones legs?? 🤣😂

The tension mounts for the finale, which, if all goes well, is not a finale at all. All very excited in this house. Even M is coming out as ‘a runner’ to all and sundry (to much jaw dropping and gasps from those who know him), and he asks to be reminded which day is set for the graduation run. Who’d have thought it?! He could barely summon the enthusiasm for a high-five when we hit the 20-minute mark. Got a better one as each week progressed. And now he’s planning a very special celebration dinner from a local restaurant (currently closed, of course). No room for ‘failure’ now that that’s ordered!

[Peter44 Graduate]

Well done, sounds like you've got this running malarky, sorted, and you are so descriptive with your posts, always look forward to them! 😀

Good luck with that w9r3, almost there now!

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Thank you, P. That’s so kind. It means a great deal having you guys cheering us on too and to have witnessed you leading the way. ☺️☺️👌

[Peter44 Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

I know how I felt after graduation run 😀😀😀😀😀

It's really nice seeing other peoples graduation posts, and there reactions, even people i've not been following as such, and i'm sure yours will be a belter!!! 😀

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Agghhrr! Pressure! 😬😬😬

[Buddhagal Graduate]

As always Gail a wonderful post, love reading them. So eloquent...and so In the Moment 😁. I hardly ever remember which weeks run you've actually done by the end of the post because I get so caught up in the description...I'm with you on the run. When I've finished reading the post I check the title again ...oh yeah...she's on W9R2... You should be putting out podcasts...you'd help me float through my runs😁😁. And I NEVER take up Laura's invitation to step up the pace 🤣😂 .... Wonderful stuff Gail...we've both got W9R3 next.....well done us hey😁😁😁😁. Have a good one. 🏃‍♀️🙋

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Buddhagal]

Thanks; that’s so lovely of you.

Now there’s a crazy idea!! I’d probably be defeated by technology🤣😂🤣. Took me an age to figure out using apps; for a while I thought I needed a Walkman for running. But there is a way in which the ‘talking to oneself’ (or channeling Laura to M) aspect really is quite powerful. Something feels off? Speak about it and it seems less ‘off’. I really noticed this when I was channeling the podcast. (I seem to recall that IannoadT says he does something like this to monitor breathing/pace.)

BtwWhich day are you planning on running your graduation? 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🥕🥕🧲🧲🧑‍🎓🎓

[Buddhagal Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

Yes, I talk to ME throughout my run ... always..my legs are strong, my lungs are strong, slow down and take it steady....you're nearly at Grit Lane, look there's Mr ??? In his garden waiting to wave you on, you're doing great....run tall, keep that core strong 😁😁🤣😂. You're right it's pretty powerful stuff💪💪. My early runs however we're...OMG I'm going so slow, n how am I going to do week??? Actually yes it's a good way to monitor breathing/pace👍. Am itching to run tomorrow but I promised myself to leave it until Friday....yoga & hip exercises tomorrow. Wanted to have another comfortable run for the "last sesh" and then go back to every other day off, instead of 2 days.....dependent on how the limbs cope of course..they'll be fine👍. And you running buddy????? 🏃‍♀️🙋

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Buddhagal]

Friday is the plan. Looking a bit miserable weather-wise; guess I’m going to have to up the ‘awe’ at greyness in all its subtle nuances!

My earlier runs exactly as you describe here. (Obvs you have to substitute specifics.) Spot on. In part, I think they’ve become better because of this ‘self talking’ approach (whether out loud or as inner monologue/ dialogue). Fascinating stuff. Does some expert out there know anything about this, I wonder?

[Buddhagal Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

Well...the psychology of running...now if you're not up for the podcasts...may I suggest a weekly psych session from yourself, followed on by the book .......lectures.....and of course The Movie......Happy running on Friday😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🏃‍♀️🙋

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Buddhagal]

😁😁😁🤣😂🤔

🏃🏽‍♀️🦌🏃🏼‍♀️🦌

[Buddhagal Graduate in reply to GailXrunning]

And which day is your Grad run??? Exciting 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🙋

[LittleMissie]

I think I must sleep run all of the time, as rarely observe any of the surroundings 🤷‍♀️ 🤣

So close now to graduating, you and M have got this. Looking forward to reading your graduation post 🙂🏃🏼‍♀️

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to LittleMissie]

🤣😂🤣We’re getting super excited. Hope to progress to join you on ‘the other side’ soon!!

[LittleMissie in reply to GailXrunning]

I am failing miserably. Ran twice this week and couldn’t run longer than 20 mins each time 🤷‍♀️

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to LittleMissie]

Oh, no! I’m really sorry to hear that. What’s that about? 🤷🏼‍♀️ You’ve been smashing 30 minutes without a problem.

End of the c25k programme, do you think? Missing it’s sense of structure and purpose? Or maybe you need a rest for an extra day or two to come back refreshed?

[LittleMissie in reply to GailXrunning]

No idea, I will just persevere and 20mins is better than quitting 🏃🏼‍♀️

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to LittleMissie]

PS Just noticed a new post from LazyVeggie describing similar problems.

[DexD Graduate in reply to LittleMissie]

I had that experience after graduating - not so much failing, as flailing about without the structure and definitive destination of c25k! I did several 20 mins runs, telling myself that if that was my optimum time, then fine. Once I'd relaxed a bit about 'achievement' and 'ambition' and stopped beating myself up, things improved - now I'm slowly building up to 40 mins (and possibly 5k) on some runs but mixing it up with speed intervals and shorter runs. Also talking myself up on runs (y'know, 'my, what strong legs you have!' etc) noticing when I really AM enjoying it and - like the other evening - turning around to run facing a stunning sunset, even though that meant I cut out part of the run! Every now and then, I return to Steve Hobbs' mindfulness run podcast - it's so good for helping guide you to be in the moment when running.

patreon.com/themilestonepur...

(With apologies for the long post)

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to DexD]

Don’t apologise - on the contrary, that’s so very helpful to know. It certainly makes a lot of sense to me. I especially love the way you ‘seize the moment’ with spontaneous decisions to change plan just for the thrill of the sunset. That’s beautiful (and I don’t just mean the sunset - it brings beauty into the run, into the whole experience).

[LittleMissie in reply to DexD]

Thanks DexD, helpful advice. Quite a few have said listening to Steve Hobbs podcasts helps them so may give that a shot or go back to week 7 again and build up from there 🙂🏃🏼‍♀️

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

Oooooh I wish I could sleep run! 😂😴🏃🏼

Well done on the run 💪🏻

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks. I think I might have been hallucinating it (also due to lack of sleep), but frankly, who cares? 😂💤🏃🏽‍♀️

[Roxdog Graduate]

Sounds like a great run. Your mind drifted off because you were in the zone!

[GrimJard Graduate]

I know what you mean about your mind drifting. I have found now I'm running for longer that I can think about other things instead of just putting one foot in front of the other, feels great!